10 Nanny Interview Questions About Homework

If you have school aged children, your nanny may be a defining factor in their educational success. The National Academy of Sciences has conducted studies which have shown that children do much better in school when the household help is skilled in aiding them with homework. According to the International Nanny Association, part of the nanny’s role is to provide intellectual stimulation and language activities. When it comes to employing a nanny for school aged children, you will want one who can fulfill that role.

Consider asking some of these questions regarding homework when you interview your nanny candidates.

1. What is your educational background? – If the applicant has a good, solid education, chances are she understands the value of education and will be able to bring that experience to encourage and enlighten your children.
2. Do you have a teaching background? – Knowing whether or not the candidate has a teaching background could help you in making a hiring decision. If the applicant does have one, you may want to ask about the appeal of being a nanny over being a teacher. A teaching background may put the candidate in a better position to help your kids academically.
3. What experience do you have in helping children with homework? – Preferably, your interviewees will have had opportunities to help kids with homework. Just as in school, if you have someone who has a great education, but doesn’t have the ability to pass on information, it does little good. You want to hire someone who knows how to help kids academically.
4. What resources do you feel are important for kids to have for their studies? – The person who is going to help your children with their studies should know what resources are available and appropriate for the age level of your children.
5. What do you do when you are unable to help with a particular problem or assignment? – It’s possible that there will be situations where your nanny will not have the expertise or experience called for to help with something in particular. What you want to know is if the candidate has the ability to access the resources that can provide the necessary information. If you have a nanny who may not know how to help with a given problem or topic, but knows how to find out about it, then you have a gem.
6. Do you follow a routine? – Some nannies set up routines for their charges and others may be less structured. Your nanny’s style should fit with your expectations.
7. Give an example of a typical school day from start to finish. – This will give you a clear idea as to how the candidate plans on managing your children’s time. You will glean important information regarding how the person’s view of planning, supervision and mentoring will integrate with your own.
8. How have you handled children who don’t want to do their homework? – It can be difficult to get some kids to do their homework, and that can be frustrating for someone who is responsible for them getting it done. Being aware of how your future nanny would handle such a situation is critical when you consider potential power struggles, authority issues and discipline as it relates to the nanny and your kids.
9. Do you organize study space, and if so, how? – This question zeros in on the candidate’s knowledge of organization for optimum learning. A well organized study space is conducive to doing homework and can assist a more active child in staying focused on the task at hand.
10. Can you work with learning styles different from your own? This is a crucial question in that it identifies the candidates who are aware of the different learning styles and distinguishes those who are able to work with learning styles unlike theirs. Someone who is flexible in working with various learning styles is desirable because your children will be able to learn the material in the learning style that best suits them. This can help give them an academic edge, especially if this need is not being met in school.

Academic competition is tough and you want your children to be as prepared as possible. The nanny you hire to care for your children on a daily basis will be one of their most important teachers. It is critical that you employ one who understands the value of a good education, both in school and at home, and knows how to make learning enjoyable.

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2 Responses to 10 Nanny Interview Questions About Homework

1. Kenneth Goldberg says:

   November 7, 2012 at 12:41 pm

   Good idea to ask Nannies these questions. It is also a good idea to let the children and the nannies know that homework time will take place before you come home from work and that absolutely NO homework will be done after that. You want the nanny to help structure the homework time. You want your free time to be truly yours and yours alone.
2. Azadeh says:

   November 8, 2012 at 11:32 am

   Thanks Richard for sharing these great points! As you mention, nannies play an unbelievable role in our children education and future.