What Questions Have You Asked During an Interview for a NANNY?

I have never interviewed a nanny. My kids have always been at a daycare center. I am much more comfortable with a center that is licensed and regulated. You know staff has to go through training/certifications and specific qualifications. The advantage of a center vs nanny is that if the usual caregiver is sick, in a center, there will always be coverage for your child. With a nanny, if she's sick, you have to either stay home or look for alternate care at the last minute.
I just think to all those stories you hear in the news about tragedies in the daycare and 9 times out of 10 it usually is a child getting care in someone's home.
Yeah, daycare centers may be more expensive than a nanny in her home, but for me, I feel it is worth it.
If she comes with great references though, I would go for it. Just make sure she is certified in infant and child CPR (ask to see her CPR card), does she have any qualms about taking your child if your child is sick? Is she planning any vacations in the next several months. Does she plan to give you well enough advanced notice when she does so that you have the time to find alternate care? Also, a very good question (IMO), if your daughter is not vaccinated, are her children vaccinated and if not, will she be attuned to any sicknesses that her children get that might put your daughter at risk? With H1N1 going around, does she plan to disinfect all the surfaces that your daughter will come in contact with. (Think - her children are in school and in an environment where this disease is showing trends in spreading, there is always the possibility of them bringing anything and everything home).

is this mother understand your dietary needs/requests for your daughter? will she respect this?
will she buy food or do you pack it every day? week? give her money for groceries?

how about crying? will she hold your child when crying? comfort her? wear her in a sling? rock her? what are her parenting philosophies?

I had a babysitter in my home and GGOD thing was I had a nanny-cam and saw her STEAL from me. thank god she never harmed my baby!!!
so:
maybe you can install something so you can check on them via a webcam/internet while you're at work?

driving: will she ever drive you baby somewhere? are you ok with this? is there a proper carseat properly installed in her car?

activities: what will they DO all day? again, back to driving- will she be taking your baby places? library for story hour (realizing baby is young, but she will grow!)? park? what are you rules about how long baby can be outside in heat/sun? applying sunscreen (again too little for this now)? hat?
if not driving, then on the bus? walking?

I don't care who you are, if you have kids of your own, they always come first. Keep that in mind while asking questions to her-- like what happens with your baby when one of her own kids is sick? What about when one of her kids has a function at school that she would like to attend? Does she have a private/quiet place for your baby to rest when her kids come home from school? I assume if you are into attachment parenting that you have discussed that with her-- so has she agreed to wear your baby and whatever else is important to you?

In general, I think home care is the best environment for an infant vs day care but I beleive that mostly because of the germs a baby can get exposed to in day care-- so think about the germs she will be exposed to by this woman's other kids.

And just overall, think about how well you truly know her. How long have you known her? Many of my neighbors and aquantences seem like very nice people but I have no idea how they are behind closed doors. Would she be willing to watch the baby in YOUR home while her kids are in school? That way you can set up a couple of nanny cams.

I have experience as a working mother and as a nanny- and I feel that the BEST advice is to go with YOUR gut insticts/feelings. Visit various daycares, and meet with a variety of nannies. Some daycares are better than some home environments. That's the HONEST truth. I have worked in a daycare, had my own home daycare, nannied in my home and in the child's home:) It all depends on the person or persons caring for your child. It is EXTREMELY hard to find a caregiver that will truly LOVE your children:) I was blessed with a babysitter like that when I needed one, and later decided to be that person for other mothers! When it comes down to it it doesnt matter what other mom's think...it should be what is important to YOU?
I am here if you would like to chat further:)