When it comes to selecting a nanny, you can never be too careful. You want someone that is going to care for your children properly while providing a level of comfort and trust. The last thing you want is to be at work stressing over the care of your children.

When it comes to the interview, there is a great deal you can learn from the potential nanny and asking the right questions can reveal more about the person's intentions than they realize.

What questions are important when conducting the interview?

1. What kind of experience do you have? Although this information is usually present on a resume and/or application, it's always best to get information straight from the nanny candidate. This gives you an opportunity to determine if he or she is lying to you as you corroborate his or her answer with the information provided on their application forms. It also gives you a chance to get additional information that the potential nanny didn't include in the resume or application.

2. Have you had a child misbehave to the point of being disciplined? If so, how did you discipline the child? Knowing how a nanny conducts forms of discipline is a very important aspect to consider. Not all methods of discipline are conducive to every environment and what one person thinks is applicable, another could view it as unacceptable. Your nanny must be willing to follow your own guidelines.

3. As a nanny, what constitutes a typical day for you? Although the nanny will have a few tasks that are mandatory of the position, there is a large portion of the day that may need to be filled.

What kinds of activities does the nanny have planned? Will he or she be able to keep your children engaged during that time? Caregivers need to be more than just a person sitting in the house making sure the children don't harm themselves. This can give you an idea if whether or not the nanny will fit in with your family's dynamic.

4. What kind of activities do you have planned for the children? How would you spend a rainy day? Keeping the children engaged is an important aspect of being a nanny. Having an idea of the kinds of activities he or she has planned can help you determine if the potential nanny is going to succeed with your children. You don't want to force something on your children that won't be accepted well, but it wouldn't hurt to diversify their day.

5. Have you ever experienced a child that you did not feel comfortable tending? Some nannies may answer this question honestly. Not everyone feels comfortable caring for a child that requires special needs. If you are ever in doubt of the candidate's answer, a background check may provide additional light if you communicate to those that have hired the nanny previously.

6. Are you certified in CPR and/or First Aid? Although it may not be a mandatory knowledge for some employers, a nanny that is certified to aid in the event of an emergency can help you feel a great deal of peace while away. Knowledge of how to perform CPR on a child can mean the difference between life and death. Many areas will offer these courses for free if your potential nanny would like to participate in them.

7. What is your availability? Are you able to respond if there is an emergency situation after hours? A nanny that has a flexible schedule is important. Although we will try to prevent emergency situations from happening, you'd feel more comfortable if the children are cared for by someone they know. Children need a form of stability to their environment and adding various people to care for them could make them feel a great deal of stress.

Of course, you want to discuss the rate of pay and how much is expected. There are various other questions you may want to inquire about during the interview as well. While a detailed background check on the potential nanny can reveal a great deal of information about the person, a face-to-face discussion can help you determine if he or she is going to be right for your situation. The interview provides that interaction.

About the Author - Blogging for was a natural progression for Allison Foster once she graduated from college, as it allowed her to combine her two passions: writing and children. She has enjoyed furthering her writing career with www.nannyclassifieds.com.