In Person Meetings & Trial Days: How to Make the Most of Them

When it comes to hiring a nanny, resumes and Zoom interviews can only tell you so much. That’s where in-person meetings and trial days come in. They give you the opportunity to see how a nanny interacts with your children, fits into your routine, and responds in real-time.

These hands-on sessions can be the make-or-break moment in the placement process, if you know how to use them wisely.

Here’s how to make the most of them.

🔍 What’s the Difference?

In-Person Meeting: Typically an unpaid, 1-hour meeting. During this time, the family introduces the nanny to the child(ren) and shows them around the house. If you have anything you didn't ask in the initial interview, this is a great opportunity to discuss it. Otherwise, it could be an informal conversation, here is our home/kids, more about them, and giving them a chance to talk, or play with the children for a few minutes. 

Trial Day: Usually several hours or a full day, where the nanny will have the opportunity to work with your children and get to know your routine better while you are out of the room. Essentially, this is a working interview. Many families may even set up expectations if they would like the nanny to plan an activity or do anything specific with the children. At the end of the trial day, you would pay the candidate for their time. 

Both opportunities serve as key parts of a thoughtful hiring process, and we always encourage that a family complete a trial day before moving forward with extending an offer.

✅ Before the Trial: Set Clear Expectations

To ensure a productive trial:

• Confirm the hours, pay, and responsibilities with our team, and we will be sure to pass this information along to the candidate.

• Share key information upfront, like allergies, routines, or any house rules.

• Let your children know what to expect, especially if they’re sensitive to change.

A simple outline of the day helps reduce confusion and stress for everyone involved.

🧒 During the Trial: Observe, But Don’t Hover

It’s normal to want to watch everything, but give the nanny space to lead. Consider spending time at home in the beginning and then taking a walk or running out for a quick errand while the nanny is there, to give them the feeling of a “normal” day.

• Let your child and the nanny interact 1-on-1.

• Pay attention to body language, tone, and engagement, not just routines.

• Watch how the nanny communicates with both you and your child.

Does your nanny speak kindly, confidently, and clearly? Does your child feel comfortable?

📝 Things to Look For:

• Does the nanny follow instructions and ask thoughtful questions?

• Are they proactive about tidying, play ideas, or transitions?

• How does she/he respond to tantrums or resistance?

• Do your child(ren) seem calm, content, or interested when around the nanny?

Remember: this is about chemistry and capability, not perfection.

💬 After the Trial: Debrief

• Ask your child how they felt. Even toddlers can give valuable clues.

• Schedule time to speak with the nanny privately, ask what went well and what they found challenging.

• Be open to giving and receiving feedback. This shows professionalism and helps both sides improve.

💡 Bonus Tips:

• If possible, complete one or more trial days with your top pick(s), especially if it's a long-term hire.

• Always compensate fairly for trial days; this sets the tone for mutual respect from day one.

🤝 Final Thoughts:

Trial days are your best chance to experience how a nanny will fit with your family before committing. With the right approach, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind as you move forward in your nanny hiring journey.