15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Nanny and What to Listen For

Before the interview

• Write down the job. List the children's ages, the hours, any housework, driving or overnight duties, and the salary range. You'll compare every candidate against the same picture.
• Ask her to bring her ID (or passport and work permit), her CV, any certificates, and the names and numbers of two recent employers.
• Plan the setting. Hold the interview at home, with your children nearby for the last 15 minutes so you can see how she connects with them.

1. 1Tell me about your previous nanny jobs. Why did each one end? Her work history is the best predictor of how she'll work for you. Listen for: clear dates, the ages of the children she cared for, and simple reasons for leaving, such as the children starting school or the family relocating. Red flag: long unexplained gaps, many very short jobs, or blaming every previous employer.
2. 2What did a typical day look like in your last job? This shows how she actually spends her time with children. Listen for: a structured day with meals, naps, outdoor play, learning activities and tidying up. Red flag: a vague answer, or a day built around the TV.
3. 3May I contact your last two employers? References are your best protection, so ask early. Listen for: a quick yes, with names and phone numbers ready. Red flag: reluctance, only friends or family as references, or written letters with no phone number.
4. 4What training or certificates do you have? First aid and CPR, early childhood development or a nanny course all show she takes the work seriously. Listen for: certificates she can show you, ideally including recent paediatric first aid. Red flag: no first aid knowledge at all. If she's otherwise a great fit, you can pay for a first aid and CPR course.

1. 5What would you do if my child was choking, had a high fever or fell and hit their head? Emergencies are rare, but how she responds matters more than anything else. Listen for: calm, specific steps: first aid, calling an ambulance or you, and knowing your address and emergency numbers. Red flag: "I'd panic" or "I'd wait for you to come home".
2. 6How do you handle a tantrum, or a child who won't listen? Her approach to discipline must match yours, and the law. Listen for: staying calm, distraction, clear and gentle limits, praise for good behaviour, and telling you about problems. Red flag: any mention of smacking or hitting. Since the Constitutional Court's 2019 ruling, physical punishment of children in the home is unlawful in South Africa.
3. 7How would you keep a toddler busy for a whole day without screens? This shows creativity and energy. Listen for: reading, outdoor play, music, simple crafts, puzzles and age-appropriate learning games. Red flag: she struggles to name more than one or two activities.
4. 8How do you handle meals, naps and bath time? Routines and hygiene are where most of the day goes, especially with babies. Listen for: following the parents' routine, safe sleep for babies, never leaving a child alone in the bath, and good handwashing. Red flag: casual answers about water safety or sleeping babies.
5. 9How do you keep children safe around the house, the pool and the road? Most childhood accidents happen at home. Listen for: constant supervision near water, locking away medicines and chemicals, car seats on every trip, and holding hands near roads. Red flag: she doesn't mention supervision near the pool.

1. 10How would you like to keep me updated during the day? Good communication prevents most problems. Listen for: happy to send a quick WhatsApp after meals or naps, and to tell you about anything unusual straight away. Red flag: she seems uncomfortable sharing what happens during the day.
2. 11Are you comfortable with our house rules on phones, visitors and photos of the children? Set boundaries before day one, including no photos of your children on her social media. Listen for: a clear yes, or honest questions about the rules. Red flag: pushback on reasonable rules, or heavy phone use during the interview.
3. 12What do you enjoy most about working with children? You want someone who loves the work, not just needs a job. Listen for: warm, specific stories about children she's cared for. Red flag: no enthusiasm, or talking only about the pay.

1. 13Which days and hours can you work, and are you available for the odd evening or weekend? Be clear about your needs now to avoid disappointment later. Listen for: availability that matches your job description, and honesty about her limits. Red flag: agreeing to everything without thinking. Remember that extra hours, Sundays and public holidays are paid at higher rates (see our minimum wage guide).
2. 14How will you get to work, and do you have a driver's licence? Reliable transport means reliable arrival times. If she'll drive your children, you need to know she's a safe driver. Listen for: a realistic travel plan, and a valid licence with driving experience if driving is part of the job. Red flag: a long, unreliable commute for an early start.
3. 15What salary are you looking for? Talk about money openly so there are no surprises. Listen for: a figure in line with her experience and the market. Our salary guide shows typical rates. Red flag: nothing, as long as you can agree. Just never offer less than the legal minimum of R30.23 an hour.

Questions you must not ask

The Employment Equity Act protects job applicants, including nannies and housekeepers, from unfair discrimination. Asking about any of the topics below can be used as evidence that you discriminated, even if you didn't mean to. Ask about the job instead.

After the interview

1. Call her references. Ask specific questions: How long did she work for you? Why did she leave? Was she punctual? Would you hire her again? A pause before "yes" tells you a lot.
2. Check her documents. Make sure her ID matches her CV. If she isn't South African, check that her passport and work permit allow her to work for you.
3. Ask about a police clearance. With her written consent, she can apply for a police clearance certificate at a police station. Handle her personal information carefully and only for the hiring decision.
4. Book a paid trial day. Watch how she works with your children. Pay her at least the minimum wage of R30.23 an hour, and at least 4 hours' pay for the day.
5. Put it in writing. Give her a written contract with her hours, duties, pay and leave, then register for UIF and COIDA. Our COIDA guide explains why this matters.

Frequently asked questions