Screening a Nanny

Nanny phone interview questions

A short phone call before any in-person meeting. Its only job is deciding who deserves more of your time.

By Tammy Gold, LCSW
Author of Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer (Penguin)

Tammy Gold, LCSW, MSW

Columbia University

20 years placing & training nannies

As seen inTODAYGood Morning AmericaCBSThe New York TimesThe Wall Street JournalTIMEWatch the reel →

The five questions to ask

“Tell me about your most recent position — how long, what ages, and why you left.”
“What age group do you work best with, and why?”
“Tell me about a challenging moment with a child and how you handled it.”
“A toddler is mid-meltdown and won't be comforted. What do you do?”
“What are you looking for in your next family?”

Green lights

Specific, detailed answers
Genuine warmth when describing a particular child
Unprompted mention of a child's emotional or developmental needs
Questions about your children

Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer by Tammy Gold, published by Penguin

FROM THE AUTHOR OF SECRETS OF THE NANNY WHISPERER

Guidance from the therapist who wrote the Penguin book on hiring a nanny

Tammy Gold, LCSW, spent years matching families with nannies before writing Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer (Penguin). Today she works beside families, and their agencies, as a neutral expert: defining the job, interviewing candidates, checking references and setting up the first 30 days.

Book an hour with Tammy — $189 → Press and media