How to Spot a Great Nanny in an Interview

Kershia Perumal
Oct 28
2 min read

Learn the key interview questions to ask when hiring a nanny or au pair in South Africa. Discover how SmartCare ensures families find trusted caregivers.

Parents Feel Nervous During Nanny Interviews

You want the best for your child. But when it’s time to sit down and interview a nanny or au pair, most parents feel unprepared.

What do you ask? What red flags should you look out for? How do you know if this caregiver is the right fit?

The truth is, interviewing for childcare isn’t like interviewing for a job in an office. It’s more personal. More emotional. And the stakes are much higher.

5 Questions Every Parent Should Ask

“Tell me about a time you dealt with a child having a difficult day. How did you handle it?”– This reveals patience, problem-solving, and emotional resilience.
“How do you approach discipline?”– Alignmen
t with your parenting style is critical.
“What do you think a child needs most from their caregiver?”– Look for empathy, not just task completion.
“How do you structure a child’s day?”– This shows initiative, organisation, and balance.
“What do you find most challenging about childcare?”– Honesty matters more than perfection.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Vague answers or rehearsed “perfect” responses.
Lack of enthusiasm for child development.
Inflexibility or dismissing parent values.
Over-promising without detail.

If something feels off, trust that instinct — but don’t rely on it alone.

How SmartCare Removes the Guesswork

The good news? Parents don’t have to go through this process alone.

At SmartCare Professional Nannies, every caregiver goes through:

Structured, professional interviews.
Background checks.
Psychometric testing.

By the time they meet you, they’ve already passed through multiple filters. Your job isn’t to catch them out — it’s simply to see if your family feels comfortable.