Hong Kong Confinement Nanny Interview Guide

In Hong Kong, when the expecting mom is out of the first trimester, families often begin looking for a confinement nanny. Hiring a nanny who aligns with your family's values and gets along well with everyone is crucial. At Parachute, we always suggest two rounds of interviews (first round via video chat and second in-person at your home) to evaluate the nanny's experience, personality, and childcare approach.

In this blog, we came up with 21 interview questions that will assist you in making an informed decision when selecting a confinement nanny.

Qualifications 

How many years have you been working as a confinement nanny? How many babies have you taken care of? 

Note: Typically, the standard for assessing a confinement nanny's experience is based on the number of babies they have cared for, not the number of years they have been working. However, if a nanny has been employed by the same employer for an extended period, it may result in a lower number of babies cared for. Therefore, employers need to consider this factor comprehensively. 

Do you have the Foundation Certificate for Postnatal Care Worker issued by ERB (152 hours)?

Note: the Foundation Certificate for Postnatal Care Worker issued by ERB (Employees Retraining Board) is commonly known as the confinement nanny license in Hong Kong. The course has a duration of 152 hours and covers everything from newborn care, postpartum care, breastfeeding and infant CPR.

However, there are some very experienced confinement nannies who may not have obtained this professional certificate but have gained a good reputation through years of practical experience. Related certificates should be considered as a reference but may not fully reflect the nanny's abilities.

Have you completed any other postnatal care courses?

Note: Many confinement nannies also pursue additional skills enhancement courses, such as breastfeeding, baby massage, infant special care, infant and child development, postpartum diet, Chinese medicine knowledge, and etc. The more courses they have completed, the wider their range of professional knowledge, indicating their commitment to continuous professional development.

Can you provide past employer recommendation letters or references?

Note: Recommendation letters are written by previous clients and highlight the nanny's strengths and character. These firsthand accounts can help you understand the nanny's childcare approach and determine if she is suitable for your family.

Sometimes, experienced confinement nannies will state they don't have recent reference letters as their clients express appreciation by referring their friends. When there is no recent reference letters, you can ask the nanny to provide the contacts of one or two past employers for reference checking.

Services and Scope

Using 8/10/24-hour service period as an example, how would you allocate your daily working time?

What kind of postpartum meals will you prepare? Can you make Western/Vegetarian/ dishes?

Note: Preparing postpartum meals is one of the most important tasks for a confinement nanny. If the meals are not to the mother's taste, it can affect her mood. We recommend asking the nanny to showcase photos of previous confinement meals during the interview to assess the presentation, portion size, and nutritional value of the meals. 

Can you assist with breastfeeding? Is there an extra charge for lactation massage?

Other service details: Can you cook for other family members? Can you teach childcare techniques to domestic helpers?

Personality and Childcare Approach

 What are your thoughts on confinement taboos? Would you require the mother to strictly adhere to confinement rules?

Note: Some nannies are more strict and may require the mother to adhere to traditional confinement rules, such as avoiding cold food, not going barefoot, and not going outdoors. Mothers with more liberal views should communicate clearly with the nanny during the interview to avoid potential conflicts. 

As a confinement nanny, what do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses?

 Professional Knowledge

To assess the confinement nanny's professional knowledge, employers should ask technical questions about postpartum and infant care, such as: 

What would you do if the baby starts crying?

 What would you do if the mother's breast milk supply is insufficient?

How many diaper changes does a healthy baby need per day, on average?

 How do you identify jaundice in a baby, and how should it be managed?

How would you establish healthy sleep habits for the baby during the first month?

What are the dietary differences between c-section and vaginal delivery? 

Which foods help with lactation? Which foods reduce milk supply?

 Behavioral Questions

In addition to professional knowledge, a confinement nanny also needs to have a high emotional intelligence and adaptability. You can ask the nanny the following questions: 

After working as a confinement nanny for so many years, can you share a few memorable experiences?

 Have you encountered any challenging cases? How did you handle them?

How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with the family members you work with? 

These interview questions should help you gain a better understanding of the confinement nanny's qualifications, experience, personality, and childcare approach. Remember to also trust your instincts and choose a confinement nanny who you feel comfortable with and who aligns with your family's values and preferences.

Need help finding a confinement nanny? Contact our team to get started!