For parents · Child care
What questions should I ask a babysitter or nanny in an interview?
Ask about experience with children your children’s ages, first aid training, how they handle discipline and emergencies, and what they would do in specific situations. Scenario questions reveal more than yes-or-no ones. Then confirm the practical details: availability, rates, transportation, and whether they will provide references and a vulnerable sector check.
In 60 seconds
- Scenario questions, such as what they would do if your toddler had a fever, show judgment better than questions with an obvious right answer.
- Ask about experience with the specific ages and needs of your children, not just about child care in general.
- Ask to see first aid and CPR certificates and ask whether the caregiver will provide references and a current vulnerable sector check.
- How a caregiver talks about discipline should match your own approach, and physical punishment should be a firm no.
- Practical questions about availability, transportation, rates and cancellations belong in the first interview, not after you have decided.
- An interview is only one step, so follow it with reference calls and a short paid trial.
What experience questions should I ask a babysitter or nanny?
Ask what ages they have cared for, for how long, and in what setting, such as other families, a centre or their own siblings. Ask what they found hardest about that age group. Specific stories, like how they got a baby to nap, tell you more than a list of past families.
- What ages have you cared for, and which do you enjoy most?
- Tell me about a typical day with the last family you worked with.
- Have you cared for a child with allergies, medical needs or a disability?
- What training have you taken, such as a babysitting, first aid or early childhood course?
- Why did your last arrangement end?
What safety and emergency questions should I ask?
Ask what first aid and CPR training they have and when it was last renewed, then ask how they would handle specific emergencies. Good answers are calm and concrete: call 911 first when it is serious, then call you, and follow your written instructions for allergies or medication.
For babies, listen for safe sleep basics. The Canadian Paediatric Society says babies should always be placed on their back to sleep, for every sleep, in a crib, cradle or bassinet with no loose soft items. A caregiver who already knows this is a good sign.
- What would you do if my child started choking?
- What would you do if my child had a high fever or a bad fall?
- How would you keep a baby safe while sleeping?
- What would you do if a stranger came to the door or my child went missing at the park?
- Are you comfortable giving medication by following my written instructions?
What should I ask a nanny about discipline and behaviour?
Ask how they handle tantrums, hitting, sibling fights and a child who refuses to listen, and ask for a real example. Their answer should fit your family’s approach. Any mention of spanking, shaming, threats or withholding food is a clear reason not to go further with that caregiver.
Also ask how they would tell you about a hard day. You want a caregiver who reports problems honestly, not one who says everything was fine every time. Agreeing in advance on how discipline works at home helps your children get consistent messages from everyone who cares for them.
It helps to describe your own approach first and then ask the caregiver how they would apply it with your child. Listen for curiosity and follow-up questions rather than a memorized answer. A caregiver who asks what usually calms your child down is thinking about your family, not a generic script.
What practical questions should I ask before choosing a caregiver?
Ask about availability, how they get to your home, their expected rate and how they handle cancellations, sick days and holidays. Settle these in the first conversation. Finding out after you have decided that schedules or expectations do not line up wastes time for both sides.
- Which days and hours can you commit to, and for how long?
- How will you get here, and can you drive the children if needed?
- What rate do you expect, and how do you prefer to be paid?
- How much notice do you give for cancellations?
- Are you comfortable with pets, cooking, school pickup or light tidying?
- How do you feel about screen time and phones while you are caring for children?
Should I ask a babysitter or nanny for references and a vulnerable sector check?
Yes. Ask for at least two references from families they have cared for, and phone them yourself. For regular care, ask whether they will get a current vulnerable sector check. A caregiver who welcomes these requests is usually more comfortable than one who avoids them.
When you call a reference, ask open questions: what the caregiver did well, what they would change, and whether they would use them again. A vulnerable sector check is done by the local police service where the person lives, or in British Columbia by the provincial Criminal Records Review Program. It only reports certain records, so it supports your judgment rather than replacing it.
What red flags should I watch for in a babysitter interview?
Watch for vague answers about past experience, reluctance to give references or show certificates, and little interest in your children themselves. How the candidate interacts with your children during the visit matters more than a polished answer. If your instincts are uneasy after the interview, it is fine to keep looking.
- No references, or only friends and relatives
- Cannot describe what they would do in a basic emergency
- Dismisses your rules on safety, food or screens
- Pays more attention to their phone than to your children
- Pressure to commit quickly or to pay far ahead
How does Maple Care fit into interviewing a caregiver?
Maple Care helps you and independent care professionals find each other; the interview is still yours to run. Your request stays anonymous, showing only your city, until a professional pays to get your contact details. After that, you arrange the interview, check references and agree on terms directly with the professional.
Our team reviews every account, and professionals can earn badges for certifications we check, such as first aid or a vulnerable sector check. Badges are a screening signal, not a background check, so ask the same interview questions of every candidate.
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Frequently asked questions
How long should a babysitter interview take?
Plan for about half an hour to an hour, including time for the candidate to meet your children. Keep the conversation part focused on your key questions, then watch them play. For a nanny who will provide regular care, a second meeting or a paid trial before deciding is worth the extra time.
Should my children be present at the interview?
Yes, for at least part of it. How a caregiver greets, plays with and responds to your children tells you things a conversation cannot. Older children can also share their impressions afterwards. You may still want a few minutes alone to discuss rates and expectations.
Can I interview a nanny by video call?
A video call is a good first screen, especially when you are talking to several candidates. Before anyone looks after your children, meet in person, ideally at home, so you can see how they interact with your children and your space.
What questions should I avoid asking a nanny?
Keep questions tied to the care you need. Avoid personal questions about religion, family plans, health conditions unrelated to the work, or background that could be discriminatory. Human rights rules differ by province, so check your provincial human rights commission if you are unsure what is appropriate.
What if a caregiver does not have first aid training?
You can ask whether they will take a course before starting, and some families cover the cost. The Canadian Red Cross runs child care first aid courses, and both the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance run babysitting courses for youth. For babies or children with medical needs, current training is a reasonable condition.
Should I ask the same questions to every candidate?
Yes. Using the same core questions for every babysitter or nanny makes it easier to compare answers fairly and to notice when one response stands out. Write the questions down, take short notes during each interview, and add follow-up questions based on what each person tells you.
Sources and evidence
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