Questions to Ask When Hiring an Infant or Childcare Helper

Interviewing a helper for childcare — especially infant care — deserves real preparation. A resume tells you what she's done; the interview tells you how she thinks and responds under pressure, which matters far more when a child is involved.

1. Have you cared for infants or young children before?

Ask specifically about ages, how many children at once, and what her actual daily responsibilities were — feeding schedules, nap routines, developmental play, school pickup.

2. How would you handle a crying baby who won't settle?

There's no single "correct" answer, but listen for patience and a calm, methodical approach rather than frustration or a one-size-fits-all response.

3. What would you do if the child had a fever or got injured?

A responsible helper should describe checking the child, contacting the parents promptly, and knowing basic next steps — not downplaying the situation or waiting to see if it resolves on its own.

4. Are you comfortable preparing meals for a specific diet?

Whether it's age-appropriate infant food, allergies, or family dietary preferences, ask directly whether she's prepared this kind of food before.

5. How would you handle a tantrum in public?

This reveals composure under a stressful, embarrassing situation — look for calm de-escalation rather than a rigid, punitive response.

6. What's your approach to discipline?

Make sure her instincts broadly match your own parenting approach — this is one of the most common sources of quiet friction if left unaddressed at hiring stage.

7. Are you willing to follow our specific routines, even if different from what you're used to?

Adaptability matters more than rigid "correct" methods — you want someone who will follow your household's approach, not impose her own.

8. How do you spend time with children during the day?

Look for genuine engagement — reading, imaginative play, outdoor time — rather than just passive supervision in front of a screen.

9. Have you managed school pickup or homework supervision before?

For school-age children specifically, ask about her comfort with schedules, navigating transport, and basic homework support.

10. Why do you enjoy working with children?

A simple question, but genuine warmth in the answer is often more revealing than anything on a resume.

What to look for beyond the answers

• Patience and a calm demeanour throughout the conversation
• Specific, detailed answers rather than vague generalities
• Willingness to ask you questions back about your child and household
• Comfort discussing difficult scenarios (illness, tantrums, safety) without deflecting

For a broader set of general interview questions beyond childcare specifically, see our guide on interviewing a maid: essential questions to ask.

How Beyond Maids helps

We can facilitate interviews, help translate where there's a language gap, and flag any inconsistencies in a candidate's history before you're in the interview room. Good matching starts well before day one.