The Interview

It is always a good idea to tell a close friend or relative where the interview is taking place and at what time.
Arrange, for example an hour after the interview has started the friend or relative telephone your mobile to check all is OK.

Have some questions prepared in advance, this shows the prospective employer that you are well prepared and professional, remember this is not just about your livelihood but about their children and the decision they have to make to employ you as opposed to other candidates. Make sure the interview is a two-way process by answering the questions and asking relevant questions in return.  Because there are currently no legal requirements on a person applying for a job as a nanny, the employer will expect you to provide proof of identity, background, qualifications and employment history.

• Take to the interview two forms of identity, such as a driving licence, passport, birth certificate etc.
• Please only take originals as prospective employers will be wary of photocopies. 
• Always take at least two references and encourage the prospective employer to follow them up by telephone.
• Take along and volunteer original qualification certificates.
• They may wish to check on your medical history by asking if there have been any long periods off work due to sickness, be prepared to answer this.

Below is a selection of the type of questions you can expect to be asked:

• Enquiries about your family background
• Where did you spend your early years
• Why did you choose to become a nanny/carer/babysitter/childminder
• What are your best qualities with regard to child care
• What is your current position, why are you leaving
• Information about your previous jobs and why you left them
• Have you had any long periods of unemployment and why
• What are you looking for in your next position
• Why do you enjoy working with children
• How do you entertain them on a daily basis
• How would you entertain them on a long wet day
• Do you cook
• What would you cook for their children
• Can you assist with weaning & potty training
• Could you teach the children table manners, reading & writing
• Are you trained in first aid
• How do you maintain discipline in the home
• Can you drive
• Would you be prepared to do extra hours sometimes
• Are you a smoker

Parents must be confident, as far as possible, that they are making the correct decision as to who is going to look after their child. The Childrens Act 1989 covers the responsibilities of a parent as to the care of their child. Legislation is there to assist in the process and any nanny that is considered for employment will be  expected to have a Enhanced Disclosure and also that a check is made as to their identity, qualifications and employment history if they wish to be taken seriously as a candidate. If the person employed to look after a child is unsuitable and the parent has not utilised the mechanisms in place, the responsibility rests with the parent.

There is no provision for parents who recruit their own nannies to ask exempted questions. Parents who use the services of a nanny are not considered to be an individual employing them in the course of their business and so are unable to register with the CRB. The parent you can ask you to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure, but you have the right to refuse. If this is the case then the employer would probably not consider your job application against a candidate who could produce or was willing to produce an Enhanced disclosure.

The advantage of being able to produce a current Enhanced CRB check is that it takes you to the top of the employment tree and shows the prospective employer that you are a serious candidate.

However although there is no provision for parents to gain direct access to criminal record information in respect of a person they wish to employ as a nanny the parent can contact a CRB “umbrella body” and employ their services to obtain a CRB check and assess the suitability of a prospective nanny via suitable vetting procedures. So be prepared. (Visit the internet and search CRB umbrella companies for a wide choice of umbrella companies) Also if you were to produce a CRB Enhanced Disclosure and it is over a year old, it would probably be best to obtain an updated version.

If a parent is employing a nanny via one of the many agencies that use our contact site, the parent can request that the agency obtain an Enhanced Disclosure.

Why an Enhanced Disclosure. This relates to a particularly sensitive area of work, e.g. involving unsupervised contact with children, young people and vulnerable groups. It is the most comprehensive and appropriate check that is available to organisations and gives thorough information on all records held PNC, local police files, DH and DFES. List 99, POCA list (Protection of Children Act) and the POVA list (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) These are lists of Adults deemed NOT suitable to work with children, but may not have been prosecuted. In addition, the Chief Officer of police may release information for inclusion in an Enhanced disclosure and additional information may be sent under separate cover which is not released to the applicant. This check can ONLY be obtained through a Registered Body to the CRB.

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