Maid and nanny interview questions: a household checklist

1. Explain the role before asking questions

Describe the home, the people who live there, the main duties and the intended working schedule. Say whether the role is live-in or live-out and explain the accommodation or transport arrangements. If cleaning and childcare are combined, state which takes priority and when.

Ask the candidate what kind of role she is looking for and which duties she is comfortable taking on. A useful interview is a two-way conversation; a mismatch discovered now is better than an unclear arrangement later.

2. Ask for examples of relevant experience

What were your main duties in your most recent household? How did you plan cleaning, laundry and cooking through the week? Which tasks did you handle independently, and which required instructions? Ask for a specific example instead of treating the number of years worked as a complete measure of experience.

For cooking, discuss the meals your household actually eats and any preparation preferences. For cleaning, ask how the candidate checks instructions for unfamiliar surfaces or equipment. Explain your expectations and arrange any skills assessment through the team with clear terms.

3. Discuss childcare as a separate responsibility

For a nanny or combined role, ask about the ages of children previously cared for, daily routines, school handovers and communication with parents. Ask how she would notify you about an incident or a change in the child's routine. Explain your own household's contact and escalation plan.

If a qualification or first-aid certificate is relevant to the role, ask to see it and confirm its issuer and validity. A confident interview answer is not a substitute for a required qualification or an appropriate reference check.

4. Confirm references and availability

Ask whether a previous employer can provide a reference and obtain the candidate's agreement before contacting that person. Confirm the role and dates, the duties actually performed and the circumstances of departure where appropriate. Avoid collecting unrelated personal information.

Ask the team to reconfirm the intended start date, current availability and the applicable employment or sponsorship steps. A profile's availability label is useful for shortlisting, but should be checked again before making plans.

5. Put the practical agreement in writing

Review duties, hours, breaks, time off, accommodation or transport, communication preferences and how changes will be agreed. Ask the provider for a quote showing the inclusions, payment schedule and replacement or cancellation terms. Give the candidate time to ask questions too.

Compare your notes against the same household requirements for every candidate. Focus on demonstrated skills, communication and willingness to accept the actual role. Nationality or personal background should not substitute for assessing individual experience.

Frequently asked

What should I ask a maid in the first interview?

Start with recent household duties, relevant experience, preferred living arrangement, availability and questions about your proposed role. Then discuss the specific cleaning, cooking or care tasks you need.

How is a nanny interview different from a maid interview?

A nanny interview should focus on experience with the relevant children's ages, daily care routines, parent communication, references and any qualifications required for the role. Do not assume that housekeeping experience also establishes childcare experience.

Should the candidate ask me questions?

Yes. Invite questions about duties, working hours, accommodation, transport, time off and the household routine. Both sides need to understand and accept the arrangement before it starts.