Red Flags to Look Out for When Interviewing a Nanny

Hiring a nanny is a very personal decision. You’re not simply hiring someone to do a job — you’re choosing someone who may spend a significant amount of time in your home and, most importantly, care for your children.

Experience and qualifications matter, but an interview can tell you so much more than a CV.

Here are some of the red flags I encourage parents to pay attention to when interviewing a nanny.

1. They can't explain their previous roles clearly

A nanny should be able to comfortably talk you through their previous positions: the ages of the children, their responsibilities, how long they stayed and why the role ended.

It doesn't need to sound rehearsed, but if dates, responsibilities or reasons for leaving repeatedly don't make sense, it's worth asking more questions.

2. They speak very negatively about previous families

Not every nanny position ends perfectly, and sometimes there are completely valid reasons for leaving.

However, I always pay attention to how a nanny talks about previous employers.

Constantly criticising previous families, sharing very private information or blaming everyone else for problems can be a warning sign.

Professionalism matters even after a role has ended.

3. They're not interested in your children

One thing I love to see during an interview is genuine curiosity.

A good nanny will usually want to know:

What are they like? What do they enjoy? What's their routine? How do they sleep? What makes them laugh? What are they currently learning?

If the conversation is entirely about salary, holidays and working hours, without much interest in the children themselves, I would want to understand why.

Of course, nannies should ask about salary and working conditions — those things are important. It's the complete lack of curiosity about the children that I would pay attention to.

4. Their approach doesn't align with your parenting style

This doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad nanny.

They simply might not be your nanny.

If you value gentle communication, lots of outdoor time and limited screens, for example, and their approach is completely different, don't assume you'll work it out later.

These differences can become much bigger once someone is working in your home every day.

Talk about them during the interview.

5. They are vague about references or documentation

DBS checks, Right to Work, Paediatric First Aid and references are important parts of the vetting process.

If someone repeatedly avoids providing documentation, doesn't want previous employers contacted or gives explanations that don't add up, investigate further before proceeding.

Never feel pressured to skip your checks simply because you really liked someone during an interview.

6. Poor communication before the interview

The interview actually starts before you meet.

Repeatedly changing the time without explanation, disappearing for days, being significantly late without letting anyone know or communicating poorly throughout the process can sometimes give you an indication of what working together could be like.

Everyone has emergencies and busy days. Look for patterns rather than one-off situations.

7. They don't ask any questions

An interview should work both ways.

The nanny is also deciding whether your family is right for them.

I actually like candidates who ask thoughtful questions about routines, expectations, parenting style, responsibilities and what a normal week looks like.

It shows they're thinking seriously about the position rather than simply trying to secure any job.

8. Something simply doesn't feel right

This one is harder to put on paper.

A candidate can have a beautiful CV, years of experience and excellent qualifications — and still not feel like the right person for your family.

That doesn't make them a bad nanny.

The relationship between a family and nanny is incredibly personal. You're inviting someone into your home and trusting them with the most important people in your life.

Experience matters. Vetting matters. References matter.

But connection matters too.

Don't Look for Perfection

One final point: a red flag is not the same as a nanny being nervous in an interview, needing a moment to answer a question or having a career gap that has a perfectly reasonable explanation.

Good recruitment is about looking at the whole picture.

Ask questions. Check references. Verify documentation. Meet the candidate properly and, where possible, arrange a paid trial before making your final decision.

At Nest & Kin, this is why we spend so much time getting to know both our families and our nannies.

We're not simply looking for someone who can do the job.

We're looking for the person who feels right for the family.

Looking for the Right Nanny for Your Family?

Finding someone you trust with your children can feel overwhelming — and you don’t have to navigate the process alone.

At Nest & Kin, we take the time to understand your family, your routine and what really matters to you. We carefully source, interview and vet our nannies before introducing candidates we genuinely believe could be a great match.

Looking for a nanny in London? Get in touch with Nest & Kin and let us help you find the right fit for your family.

📧 tamara@nestkin.co.uk
📱 WhatsApp: 07853 701735