Questions to ask nanny references
Hiring a nanny is a deeply personal decision, and references are one of the most valuable tools you have to guide you through the process. Beyond resumes and interviews, they offer first-hand insight into how a nanny shows up day to day; how they interact with children, support families, and handle the needs of a home.
As a trusted Boston nanny agency, we understand that knowing what to ask nanny references can make all the difference. Thoughtful reference checks can help you move forward with confidence, giving you a clearer sense of whether someone is truly the right fit for your family.
What are nanny references?
How to check nanny references
Why nanny references should be checked
10 questions to ask nanny references from a Boston nanny agency
1) What are nanny references?
Nanny references are typically former employers, such as families a nanny has previously worked with, who can verify their experience, reliability, and caregiving style. These conversations provide personal insight that goes beyond resumes and qualifications, creating a full picture of how a nanny performs in a real home environment.
a) How to check nanny references
Contact each reference to schedule a phone or video call.
Confirm the duties, hours, and scope of the nanny’s role as described on their application or resume.
Ask open-ended questions that encourage stories about daily routines, problem-solving, and interactions with children.
Speak with several former employers to get a well-rounded view of the nanny’s experience and work style.
b) Why nanny references should be checked
Even if a nanny provides glowing written references, it’s important to confirm them directly with the former employer. Written references can be selective, highlighting only positive experiences or leaving out important context about day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, or interpersonal dynamics.
2) 10 questions to ask nanny references from a Boston nanny agency
As a trusted Boston nanny agency, we have fine-tuned our reference checking technique to get the most out of this insightful process. Here are some thoughtful questions to guide your conversation:
Can you describe your experience working with the nanny?
How long did they work with your family, and what were their primary responsibilities?
How did they interact with your children on a daily basis?
What stood out most about their caregiving style?
How did they handle challenges or difficult moments?
Were they reliable and consistent with scheduling?
How did they communicate with you as a parent?
Did they take initiative or go beyond their core responsibilities?
What was the reason for the role ending?
Would you hire them again if you had the opportunity?
As you listen, pay attention not only to the answers themselves, but also to the tone and level of detail. Often, it’s the small examples and anecdotes that offer the most meaningful insight. We often find that by the end of a reference call, we have a clearer sense of the type of home a nanny will fit into, helping us achieve a 96% success rate in matching candidates to vacancies.
At Sommet Nannies, we include reference verification as part of our thorough candidate screening process. This gives us extensive background knowledge of each candidate and means families can have confidence that the references we provide are authentic, relevant, and reflect the nanny’s day-to-day capabilities.
Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York and, nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.
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