Hiring a Nanny for a Baby and School-Age Child: What to Ask During Your Interview

If you're planning to return to work with a baby and a school-age child at home, you might be wondering how a nanny can possibly manage both. It's a question many of our clients ask when they first contact us at Homebodies, and it's a genuine concern that deserves careful consideration.

Many families assume the focus will be solely on the baby, and while the baby is, of course, a priority, the reality is that your nanny must be equally capable of supporting your older child, whose needs are often more complex than parents initially realise. Their personality is already formed, and they may require a different skillset to support, particularly when it comes to emotional regulation and navigating big feelings.

An experienced nanny will be able to care for both a baby and a school-aged child confidently and simultaneously. But finding the right person means asking the right questions during your interview. In this blog post, we'll explore what to look for and what to ask to make sure your nanny can genuinely meet the needs of both your children.

Understanding the complexity of caring for multiple ages

Before we discuss specific interview questions, it's important to recognise what caring for children of different ages actually involves on a day-to-day basis.

Your baby will have their own routines - nap times, feeding schedules, nappy changes, and developmental milestones that need attention. At the same time, your school-age child has completely different needs. They require school drop-offs and pick-ups, help with homework, support with friendships and emotional challenges, after-school activities, and age-appropriate stimulation during the times they're at home.

This is why experience with multiple ages matters so much. A nanny who's only cared for babies may struggle with the emotional complexity of a school-age child. Similarly, a nanny who's primarily worked with older children might not be confident managing infant routines. You need someone with the right qualities and experience to navigate both with ease and patience.

Questions to ask about experience with different age groups

When interviewing potential nannies, start by understanding their practical experience:

• "Can you tell me about your experience caring for children of different ages at the same time?" Listen for specific examples from actual families, not general statements.

• "What age ranges have you worked with, and which do you feel most confident caring for?" You want genuine confidence with both age groups, not just willingness to try.

• "How do you handle situations where both children need your attention at the same time?" The answer to this question reveals a lot about problem-solving skills and prioritisation. An experienced nanny will have practical strategies - perhaps involving the older child in helping with the baby (where age appropriate), or having activities prepared that can occupy one child safely while attending to the other's immediate needs.

Questions about daily routine management

The practical logistics of managing two children with completely different schedules is where many families worry the most, so don't hesitate to ask detailed questions:

• "How would you manage the baby's nap schedule when it's time for school pick-up?" An experienced nanny will have practical strategies, like adjusting morning routines or safely transporting a sleeping baby.

• "Can you walk me through what a typical day might look like with both children?" Listen for thoughtfulness about transitions, meal prep, and creating one-on-one time with each child.

• "How do you handle school drop-off and pick-up with a baby in tow?" The logistics matter. Does she have experience managing a baby while navigating busy school runs and playgrounds? Is she comfortable with the physical aspects of managing a pushchair, school bags, and potentially a tired or emotional older child all at once?

Questions about supporting your older child's development

Remember, your school-age child's needs are more complex than they might initially appear. These questions help you understand how a nanny will support them:

• "How do you support children with homework and learning at home?" An experienced nanny will have strategies for making homework and learning enjoyable rather than a battle.

• "Can you share examples of how you've helped children navigate friendships and social challenges?" School brings social dynamics, potential friendship issues, and emotional ups and downs. Your nanny needs to be someone your older child can talk to and who can offer age-appropriate guidance and support.

• "How do you handle tantrums or challenging behaviour in older children?" A skilled nanny will have experience with emotional regulation, boundaries, and helping children work through big feelings.

Questions about ensuring individual attention for each child

One of the biggest concerns families have is making sure neither child feels neglected. Ask questions that reveal how the nanny creates special moments:

• "How do you make sure each child gets individual attention when caring for multiple ages?" Look for intentional strategies like using nap time for focused activities or involving the older child in baby care.

• "How would you handle it if my older child is feeling jealous of the baby?" Sibling dynamics are real and often challenging. An experienced nanny will acknowledge this openly and have strategies for validating your older child's feelings while helping them adjust to their role as a big brother or sister.

• "Can you give examples of activities you might plan that engage both children at their developmental levels?" A creative nanny might suggest the older child "reading" to the baby, or outdoor time where both can explore at their own pace.

Questions about flexibility and problem-solving

Life with multiple children rarely goes exactly to plan, so you need someone who can adapt:

• "What would you do if the baby is unwell on a day when my older child has an important after-school activity?" You want someone who can balance both children's needs and keep you informed.

• "How do you manage different meal times and dietary needs?" Your baby might be weaning while your older child needs proper meals and snacks. A good nanny will be organised enough to handle this efficiently without either child waiting too long or feeling rushed.

The importance of a paid trial with both children

Once you've interviewed candidates and feel positive about someone, we always recommend arranging a paid trial before making your final decision. This is especially important when you have children of different ages, as you need to see how the nanny manages both in real-world situations.

During the trial, observe how the nanny handles transitions between both children, manages school runs with a baby (if possible), divides attention fairly, stays energised, and remains calm during challenging moments.

We recommend at least one full day to see how the nanny navigates the complete daily routine with both children.

Notice both children's comfort - is your older child willing to talk to her? Does she handle the baby confidently while staying present for your school-age child? Your older child's opinion matters. Ask how they felt - children are often good judges of character.

Why experience matters more than you might think

At Homebodies, we find that many parents underestimate how complex it is to care for children of different ages simultaneously. This is why we place such emphasis on experience during our matching process. We look for nannies with at least five years of childcare experience who've demonstrated their ability to manage multiple ages confidently.

When we work with families in your situation, our initial consultation explores all these dynamics in detail. We discuss your baby's routines, your older child's personality and needs, and the specific challenges you're facing. This allows us to hand-select candidates who've successfully navigated similar family dynamics before.

We also support you throughout the interview and trial process, helping you know what to look for and what questions to ask. Our goal is to make sure you feel completely confident that your nanny can care for both your children - not just manage them, but truly support their individual development and help them thrive.

Would you like our help in finding the perfect nanny for your family?

Returning to work with a baby and school-age child doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right nanny - someone experienced, adaptable, and genuinely capable of meeting both children's needs - you can have peace of mind knowing your family is in good hands.

If you're navigating this transition and want support in finding a nanny who can confidently care for children of different ages, we're here to help. Contact us today for an informal chat about your specific needs and how we can support you in finding the perfect match for your family.