HelÂlo childÂcare cenÂter direcÂtors and adminÂisÂtraÂtors! After siftÂing through numerÂous appliÂcaÂtions, you’ve narÂrowed down your list of potenÂtial canÂdiÂdates. Now, it’s time to delve into the interÂview process and find the perÂfect fit. Whether you are a childÂcare cenÂter direcÂtor, adminÂisÂtraÂtor, or anyÂone lookÂing to hire a new team memÂber in childÂcare, we want to help you make the best deciÂsion. That’s why we have comÂpiled a list of the top interÂview quesÂtions to ask childÂcare proÂfesÂsionÂals. Let’s dive in!
Ace Conducting Childcare Interviews in 4 Easy Steps
It’s essenÂtial to gathÂer as much relÂeÂvant inforÂmaÂtion about your canÂdiÂdates as posÂsiÂble. To streamÂline the process, we recÂomÂmend folÂlowÂing these four proÂgresÂsive steps:
- PreÂlimÂiÂnary phone interview
- In-perÂson interview
- WorkÂing interview
- RefÂerÂence checks
By startÂing with the least time-conÂsumÂing steps and endÂing with those that proÂvide the most detailed inforÂmaÂtion, you’ll be able to effiÂcientÂly evalÂuÂate canÂdiÂdates and make a well-informed decision.

Uncover the Perfect Candidate with Insightful Interview Questions
AskÂing the right quesÂtions will give you a betÂter underÂstandÂing of each canÂdiÂdate’s approach to the proÂfesÂsion, past expeÂriÂences, and probÂlem-solvÂing skills. Here are some examÂples of quesÂtions to ask durÂing the in-perÂson interview:
Overall Approach to the Childcare Profession
- Have you been inspired by a menÂtor, and if so, in what way?
- Which aspects of your proÂfesÂsion do you enjoy, and which do you find challenging?
- What do you believe are aspects of a high-qualÂiÂty childÂcare program?
- Describe some expeÂriÂences in your work with chilÂdren and famÂiÂlies that have influÂenced how you approach your job.

Behavioral Questions: Assessing Experience and Personality
- Which of your accomÂplishÂments make you proud? Why?
- What are you realÂly good at professionally?
- In your preÂviÂous posiÂtion, you had many responÂsiÂbilÂiÂties. How did you priÂorÂiÂtize your tasks?
- Describe a time you realÂized that you had made a misÂtake and what meaÂsures you took to corÂrect it.
- Describe a chalÂlengÂing sitÂuÂaÂtion involvÂing a child, a parÂent, a coworkÂer, or a superÂviÂsor and how you respondÂed to it.
- In your preÂviÂous posiÂtion, how did you gathÂer inforÂmaÂtion for assessÂing a child’s development?
- Describe the team you worked with in your last role. Rate them on an A to D scale, and explain how you’d turn them into an A+ team.

Situational Questions: Evaluating Problem-Solving and Communication Skills
- In your assessÂment of a child’s develÂopÂment, you have idenÂtiÂfied sigÂnifÂiÂcant speech delays. How do you disÂcuss your conÂcerns with the child’s parÂents durÂing a teacher–parent conference?
- A two-year-old in your group has just bitÂten anothÂer cryÂing child. What is your first reacÂtion? What meaÂsures will you take to preÂvent bitÂing inciÂdents? How will you disÂcuss bitÂing inciÂdents with the child’s parents?
- A first-year teacher is overÂwhelmed durÂing tranÂsiÂtions. What advice do you give this teacher?
By askÂing insightÂful interÂview quesÂtions like these, you’ll be well-equipped to evalÂuÂate your canÂdiÂdates and select the ideÂal team memÂber for your childÂcare facilÂiÂty. RememÂber, the key to hirÂing the right perÂson lies in underÂstandÂing their expeÂriÂence, approach, valÂues, and perÂsonÂalÂiÂty, so don’t be afraid to dig deep and ask folÂlow-up quesÂtions as needed.
LookÂing for even more quesÂtions to ask or, imporÂtantÂly, what not to ask durÂing an interÂview? What about how to conÂduct a preÂlimÂiÂnary phone interÂview or workÂing interÂview? All of these quesÂtions and more are answered in our proÂfesÂsionÂal develÂopÂment course HirÂing and SuperÂvisÂing QualÂiÂfied Staff in Child Care.
Once you have found that perÂfect canÂdiÂdate, you will want a trainÂing plan to ensure their (and your) lastÂing sucÂcess. Check out our blog on childÂcare proÂfesÂsionÂal develÂopÂment where we disÂcuss ways to engage your staff and help them achieve their proÂfesÂsionÂal goals.
Now that you’re armed with these interÂview tips and quesÂtions, embark on your jourÂney to find the ideÂal childÂcare proÂfesÂsionÂal for your facilÂiÂty. Best of luck, and hapÂpy interviewing!
Care Courses Contact
Please let us know how we can be of addiÂtionÂal assisÂtance! Call us: 1–800–685‑7610, MonÂday through FriÂday, 9–5 ET, or email us days, evenings and weekÂends: info@CareCourses.com. We’re here to help!
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