With every interview comes the need to ask the potential employee a list of questions that can help you determine if they will be a good fit for your centre. There is not enough time for you to ask a long list of questions so it is best that you narrow that list down to questions that can give you an idea of who these candidates are. Below is a list of the best questions to ask interviewees that can help you get to know them as well as their compatibility with your centre.

1. Tell me about yourself

This is a great question to start off with as it will allow you to acquire general information about the interviewee. It can give you an idea of how they present themselves and if it matches with their initial application.

2. When drew you to childcare?

When the interviewee answers this question, it can help you determine if they truly enjoy working in this field and are motivated to deal with the different experiences they might encounter.

3. What is your childcare philosophy?

This is the type of question that will give you an idea of how the interviewee will actually work in the centre. They might have specific teaching and care styles which either are compatible with your daycare’s philosophy or not. While bringing up this question, you can also talk about your childcare centre’s philosophy and how you operate. This can provide insight to the interviewee if they will enjoy working in your centre.

4. What was your favourite part about your last childcare position?

Usually when the candidate answers this question, you are able to see what their strengths are. In turn, you can get an idea of how well they will fit the position and your centre. They also might talk about a skill that you didn’t think would be associated with childcare, but they were able to relate it. This can help you discover how this candidate can bring something new to the table.

5. What was the biggest challenge you faced in your last childcare position?

This question helps you understand the interviewee’s weaknesses and how it may affect them in the position if they were hired. You may need a particular skillset for the position that the candidate may not be very strong at. For example, you may require someone who can take on more responsibility which was something the candidate struggled with in the past.

6. Scenario-based questions

Scenario-based questions allow you to see how the interviewee thinks on the spot and how they will react in certain situations. For example, you can see the procedures they will use and if they would rather take the lead or follow someone else. The scenario-based questions you ask will also differ depending on the needs of your centre as well as the situations you commonly face.

7. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?

Learning about the interviewee’s long-term goals can give you an idea of how serious they take the profession and how they would like to see themselves in the future. It can help you see how your centre can help with their future goals and overall how much ambition they have for themselves.

8. Do you have questions for me?

At the end of every interview, you should always give the interviewee the chance to ask you questions. You’ll get an idea of what candidates think of your centre and it gives you a chance to help clarify a few topics. Plus, you can discuss how great your centre is and why it can be a great place to work at.

When you need to hire a childcare worker, there comes the need to go through the interview process. It is your responsibility to have a thorough but straight-forward interview process by asking questions that help you determine who the best fit for your centre will be. If you don’t ask the right questions, there is a risk that the candidate won’t perform as well in the position. Hence, before every interview, it is important to prepare a list of the top questions that you deem will give you an idea of who the candidate is.