Oka NannysNanny interview questions: what to ask and what to watch for
A good interview tells you far more than a CV. These are the questions we use, what a strong answer sounds like, and the warning signs.
Oka Nannys guide · 13 October 2026
In a nanny interview, ask about her experience with children of your children's ages, how she handles specific situations (tantrums, illness, an emergency), her discipline and screen-time views, her first-aid knowledge and her reliability. Listen for concrete examples, not generalities, and always check references with previous families. Red flags: vague answers, criticising previous employers, reluctance to give references, or no questions of her own.
Experience & background
- Tell me about the children you have looked after — their ages and how long you were with each family.
- Why did you leave your last role?
- Have you looked after a baby / toddler / several children at once (whichever applies to you)?
- May I speak to your last two employers?
Good answer: specific children, ages and dates, and an easy offer of references.
Day to day
- Describe a normal day with a child of my child's age.
- How do you handle mealtimes, naps and bedtime routines?
- What activities do you plan for rainy days, or for a hot afternoon by the pool?
- How do you feel about screen time?
Behaviour & discipline
- What do you do when a child has a tantrum or refuses to do something?
- How would you handle two siblings fighting?
- What is your approach to rules — and how would you follow ours when you disagree?
Good answer: calm, consistent, positive, and clear that parents set the rules. Red flag: any suggestion of physical punishment or shaming.
Safety & emergencies
- Do you have first-aid training? What would you do if a child choked or had a fall?
- What would you do if a child had an allergic reaction?
- How do you manage water safety around a villa pool?
- Who would you call, and in what order, in an emergency?
Reliability & practicalities
- Which languages do you speak with children?
- Do you drive? Are you comfortable driving children?
- What are your availability, notice period and expected pay?
- Are you eligible to work in Spain, and will we register you with the Seguridad Social? See hiring a nanny in Spain legally.
Questions she should ask you
A good nanny asks about your children's personalities, routines, allergies, house rules and what you expect of her. If she asks nothing, she may not be engaged.
Red flags
- Vague answers with no examples
- Criticising every previous employer
- Reluctance to provide references or ID
- Evasiveness about gaps in work history
- Not interested in your children when she meets them
- Pressure to be paid cash with no formalities
After the interview
Do a paid trial day with you at home, call the references, and trust your instinct about how your children respond to her. If you would rather we do the first rounds for you, see how our nanny agency vets every nanny before she meets you.
Skip the first interviews
We interview and reference-check every nanny first and introduce only the right matches.