Find Your Nanny

10 Questions Every Nanny Should Ask

Home

10 Questions Every Nanny Should Ask

Interested in finding a nanny job? The team at National Nanny has put together the following list of questions to ask a family you are considering working with. Prepare for your interview with our nanny job interview masterclass here.

woman doing research for job

1. What are the children’s ages, personalities, separate needs, and interests? Please share their strengths and where there is room for growth.

2. What are the guaranteed hours and days of the week you expect me to work?

3. What are your expectations for my responsibilities with the children versus expectations and duties with household responsibilities?

4. What is the hourly rate or salary and is the pay rate different for any hours over what is agreed? Please share what rules there will be around planned and unplanned time off for us both, or when there is weather that makes it challenging to get to work.

5. Will you need me to drive the children as part of the job? If yes, will you provide a vehicle or gas and mileage when I drive my own vehicle? Please confirm that you have shared with your auto insurance provider that I will be driving your kids.

6. So that we can be on the same page, what is your overall parenting philosophy, what values are important to you as a parent? Please share the ways you expect me to be in alignment with these values.

7. What are your expectations for communication and how would you like me to keep you updated on
your children’s activities and progress?

8. Are there any medical or special needs that I should be aware of for your children and do I need any special training?

9. Do you have any pets that I would be expected to care for?

10. What are your expectations around screen time for your children? (If the kids are very young, what are your expectations around exposure to screens given how common they are in everyday use)?

nanny in park with two toddlers running toward her

By asking these questions, you can gain a better understanding of the family’s needs and expectations, and
determine if they are a good fit for you. The more care you take in the matching process, the greater the chances you will work together long-term.

What Top Medical Professionals Know About Finding Qualified Childcare

As a medical professional, you’re trained to evaluate people with precision — reviewing credentials, assessing judgment, and making decisions that carry real impact. Finding qualified childcare should follow the same high standards. Your children deserve the same level

Read Post

Nanny Contracts: What to Review and Update Before the End of the Year

Why Year-End Contract Reviews Matter for Your Family As the year draws to a close, many aspects of our lives benefit from thoughtful reflection and planning for the future. For families employing nannies, this season presents the perfect

Read Post

How Our Matching Process Works: Behind the Scenes at Seattle Nanny Network

Finding the right nanny-family match takes both experience and intuition. At Seattle Nanny Network, we’ve spent years perfecting our process to build strong, lasting relationships between families and caregivers. Here’s a look at how we make matches that

Read Post

How to Tell If a Nanny Agency Is Actually Selective or Just Filling Seats

You’ve done the research. You’ve filled out the inquiry forms. And now you’re staring at a handful of candidate profiles that all seem… fine. Not remarkable. Not the person you’ve been imagining for your family. Just fine. If

Read Post

5 Trusted Doula Agencies in Seattle to Support You Through Birth & Beyond

Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or adding another little one to the family, pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring plenty of excitement—and plenty of questions. That’s where a doula comes in. Doulas provide emotional, physical,

Read Post

Twice the Work and Half the Fun – What you Need to Know About Vacationing with your Nanny

If you have vacationed with your nanny before, or are considering it, you are likely aware of the unique challenges and tensions this dynamic can present. If you are the nanny, you’re doubly aware (for most of us,

Read Post

Nanny or Superhero? 10 Things Only Great Nannies Can Handle

There’s a moment — every parent has experienced it — when a truly great nanny walks through the door and something shifts in the household. The energy steadies. The children light up. The chaos that felt overwhelming just

Read Post

Nanny vs. Babysitter: What’s Really in a Name?

As a nanny, one of my greatest pet peeves, which I’ll go out on a limb to say is a communal industry gripe, is when my job is reduced to “glorified babysitter.” It happens all the time. At

Read Post

The Cost of Waiting Until You’re “Desperate” for Childcare Help

Picture this scenario: It’s Sunday night. You just found out your current childcare arrangement fell through — effective immediately. You have back-to-back meetings starting Monday morning, a project deadline on Wednesday, and two kids who need somewhere safe

Read Post

Seattle Childcare Company Expands Nationally

Seattle, Wa. – Seattle Nanny Network, Inc. just launched nationalnanny.com, allowing for placements of best-in-class in-home childcare providers nationwide. The company was recently named a finalist in the prestigious Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in business

Read Post

Essential Guide: Preparing for Holiday Travel as a Professional Nanny

Navigating Holiday Travel With Your Employer Family The holidays can bring big changes to family routines—and for many professional nannies, that includes traveling with the family. Whether it’s a ski trip or a long visit with relatives, holiday

Read Post

Employing a Nanny during COVID-19

“Do I have to wear a mask inside the house” and “Do I have to pay the nanny if I ask them to stay home because a family member is not feeling well” – are just a few

Read Post

Child Care Crisis Update from the Front Lines – Solutions are in the Air

Sometimes timing is everything. When Representative Kristine Reeves brought members of the business and advocacy community together to creatively address solving the child care crisis in Washington state, my guess is she could not have dreamed that her

Read Post

Blurred Lines: Where do Boundaries Begin and End with a Nanny Job

Ten Boundary Busters between Nannies and Families Thanks to Fräulein Maria, reruns of The Nanny, and Ben Affleck’s philandering, most people conjure ideas of a romance between an employer and their kid’s nanny when they think of boundaries

Read Post

Why Work With a Nanny Agency Instead of Hiring Independently?

Choosing childcare is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Your nanny will spend hours with your children, support their development, and care for them while you’re away. Trust is essential. Once you decide a

Read Post

Sleep Training for Nannies: A Step-by-Step Approach

This blog post provides nannies with a step-by-step approach to sleep training. A nanny who has sleep training can be a solution for many families seeking relief. From assessing sleep needs to implementing a personalized sleep training

Read Post

How to Keep Kids Safe in a World of Unpredictability 

How to Keep Children Safe in a World of Unpredictability For children as well as the adults who care for them, the world may feel more unpredictable than ever. As caregivers, keeping children safe is our top priority.

Read Post

Year-End Payroll Essentials for Nanny Employers

Taxes, Bonuses, and PTO Made Simple As the year comes to a close, families who employ a nanny have a few important payroll tasks to wrap up. Taking care of these details now helps you stay compliant with

Read Post

Holiday Bonuses & Appreciation: How to Thank Your Nanny This Season

Show Your Nanny Some Love This Holiday Season The holidays are all about gratitude and giving. It’s the perfect time to show appreciation for someone who plays a big role in your family’s life — your nanny. Your

Read Post

The New Sick Leave Law and your Nanny

Is being a nanny even a real job? Does a nanny or sitter have the same rights as an employee of a company? Many employers have questions about how the new law impacts the employment of their nanny.

Read Post