- Explain me how would you describe your approach to care assistant work?
In more general terms, a question such as this gives a candidate the opportunity to talk about their professional philosophy and skills. While the question is general in nature, the best answers are usually quite specific, picking one or two points and exemplifying them with instances from personal history.
- Tell me an example of how you’ve contributed to effective team working?
This is intended to show employers you’ll work well with other social workers and your management team. It will also allow employers to find out if you have the softer skills and values for social care. The best example will show how you have listened to colleagues and supported them. Highlight positions of responsibility you had and how you supervised others. Preparation is key here so have an example that clearly shows why team working was important and how your skills influenced the positive outcome.
- Tell me an idea that you have had and have then implemented in practice?
Often an interview guide will outline the so-called ‘STAR’ approach for answering such questions; Structure the answer as a situation, task, action, and result: what the context was, what you needed to achieve, what you did, and what the outcome was as a result of your actions.
- Tell us why did you select teaching preschool as a career?
Being a preschool teacher requires a true love for the field and working with kids. The interviewer is ensuring these are traits you possess.
“Growing up I was the oldest of six brothers and sisters. Helping my mother to care for them gave me the skills to be a nurturer. I worked as a babysitter and in various child care centers before I became a teacher. I always found myself drawn to similar jobs. I developed a passion for working with kids and found I was quite skilled at it.”
- Explain me an occasion when you had to adapt in the face of a difficult situation?
One of the most useful interview tactics is to remain positive about your work and achievements. This question lets the candidate draw on their own personal history to show how they have been positive and successful in the face of difficulties. Choose a specific occasion to describe, rather than dealing with generic platitudes.
- Explain me how do you handle child care? What is your mantra?
There really is no mantra. Each child that I look after and teach is an individual with his or her own personality and specific needs. While I create a wide curriculum, each module of the curriculum has leeway for individual incorporation. And that is how I handle adapted child care.
- Tell me a stressful experience you’ve had and explain how you coped with it?
It may not seem directly relevant, but we’re looking to find out whether the candidate can identify stress in themselves and if they’re good at problem-solving. You can give any example, whether it’s a young baby keeping you up at night, a death in the family, moving house or planning a wedding, it doesn’t matter. The worst response we hear is ‘I never get stressed’. That shows you have no understanding or recognition of when a situation is complex or needs to be handled sensitively. We’re not looking to catch people out, we’re looking to find out whether they can recognize these situations.
- Tell me what has been your most formative experience with children and families?
The first child care job that I held was at a small daycare in Aurora, called The Daisies. This was 15 years ago. There has been no looking back since then. I have worked in many different child care roles and attained experience in handling babies, toddlers and young adults too.
- Tell me what television shows do you feel are appropriate for children of ages 3-5?
Any show that help them learn for example mickey mouse club house where they show kids to work in groups to help them solve problems or team ABC where it teaches them about shapes and sizes.
- Tell us what do you know about the policies for protecting vulnerable adults?
It is important to have some theoretical as well as practical knowledge of the care assistant’s duties. Give a summary of how to approach, for example, a situation where you notice unexpected bruising or contusions.
- What are your biggest strengths as Day Care Assistant?
Again this is a very common question and one you should prepare for in advance. Try to be original and imaginative in your response as opposed to the standard ‘I am a hard worker’.
To prepare, create a list of all your knowledge based skills, transferrable skills and personable skills. Then read the job specification and try to identify which skills would be relevant to the job in question. Once identified, narrow the list down to three core skills and try and think of examples to demonstrate your key strengths.
- Tell me how do you handle a behavioral problem in the classroom?
As a preschool teacher, you must be prepared for children that will misbehave. Explain to the interviewer how you would handle such a situation.
“Preschoolers are on the learning curve of distinguishing between right and wrong so I feel as though light reprimandation is adequate. As their teacher, it is my job to inform and help guide them. If a behavioral problem does arise, I typically put the child in time out. It’s extremely crucial that parents are on board with my route of disciplinary action . Also, time out gives the child the opportunity to calm down and reflect on his or her misbehavior. After about five or so minutes, I would have a one-on-one discussion with the child about why they were removed from the group and how to make a better choice next time around.”
- Explain me how do you assess a child?
Assessing a child properly is only possible if you have been observing him or her constantly since the day they enrolled. Catching nuances of physical display and observing how they connect with each other is the best way of assessing them.
- Tell me how do you feel about supervising over five children at a time?
Yes. But only if I get an ok from you that the friend is allowed to come over.
- Tell me what can you offer us that the other candidates cannot?
Be positive and do not say negative things about other candidates. In interview preparation, it is good to think of personal strengths and weaknesses. This question invites a candidate to talk about their strengths.
- What are your biggest weaknesses as Day Care Assistant?
This question is difficult for everyone. In essence you are being asked to critically evaluate yourself in front of a potential new employer and to outline an area of weakness. It pretty much goes against everything you are trying to portray at interview.
However if handled correctly, this question can provide you with the opportunity to highlight to the employer how well you know yourself and how you are proactive in identifying areas of weakness and addressing them head-on. No one is perfect after all!
It is important to be as honest as possible and not to respond with a ‘clichéd’ response – one that every employer has heard a hundred times!
Make it real – think of an example of a time that you genuinely had a shortcoming, for example you may have needed coaching for a public speaking event, or you found difficulty in the past using spreadsheets. Whatever the failing, identify it and show what steps you took to remedy it, for example you enrolled in a training course to improve confidence with speaking to large crowds or undertook online courses on how to get the best from excel.
- Explain how would you handle a temper tantrum in a grocery store?
Calmly speak with them and try to get to the bottom of the temper tantrum.
- Explain me what strategies do you use to encourage children to work in groups?
I have a few strategies I use to encourage my preschoolers to work in groups. I am adamant about sticking to hands-on activities only, which are more likely to turn into a group activities versus individual work. Also, I like to take activities that can be done on an individual basis and turn them into group work. For example, in my previous position instead of having each student draw a separate picture, I allowed them all to work on a collaborative mural that hung on our wall for the remainder of the year. It encouraged team work and open communication among the students.
- Explain me what is the procedure for dealing with a patient with a brain injury?
Medical knowledge is important in a care assistant role, and a question like this is designed to find out how extensive that knowledge is. It is not necessary to have the same level of knowledge as a doctor or a nurse, but outline the basic care approach to the situation. Focus on dealing with inappropriate behavior, for example.
- Why are you seeking to leave your job? / Why did you leave your last job?
The most important advice regarding how to answer this question is to NOT BE NEGATIVE. It is not appropriate to complain about your previous employer or to suggest that you are leaving because you want more pay.
Think about what this new company can offer you – new challenges, career progression, a change of environment, and experience in other fields, to widen your knowledge….. Or indeed for location reasons – i.e. relocating to a new town or country.
- Why should we hire you as Day Care Assistant?
This question is providing you with the ultimate opportunity to sell yourself! Your answer should address the following:
☛ what do you have that the company needs?
☛ what can you bring to the company?
☛ what makes you unique? – i.e. why you and not any of the other candidates?
Think about what the company has detailed within the job description and what skills and knowledge you have that will help you undertake the role successfully.
Consider any achievements you made for previous employers, such as increased revenue for a company, decreased costs or secured 100 new clients for a new product.
And finally, make your case on why you and not any of the others? What do you have that no one else has, or that you can do better?
- Explain me what you think a care worker does and what type of people or groups you might work with?
This is a very open question and will show the employer whether the candidate understands the expectations of the job – you need to look up a job description and see what the role involves. It’s a good test of whether they’ve done any research, especially if candidates are coming from a different country where the roles may differ.
- Tell me what was your most difficult babysitting experience? How did you overcome it?
A child would not stop bitting. I had a meeting with parents to ask them would try to fix it and it does not stop I would have to take other actions.
- Explain a little about yourself: how were you brought up and disciplined as a child?
I come from a conservative family which did not tolerate misbehavior of any kind. Religion played an important role in my upbringing as did discipline in everything, including games. It was a tough childhood but it made me who I am today so I am grateful for that.
- Operational and Situational Day Care Assistant Job Interview Questions:
☛ What do you like most about working with children?
☛ What do you like least about working with children?
☛ What age groups do you prefer to work with?
☛ Describe a time you resolved an issue with an unhappy parent.
☛ What’s the relationship between customer service and child care?
☛ How would you help new parents feel that you’re providing the best care for their baby?
☛ Define success as a preschool teacher.
☛ How do you know if your teaching strategies are effective?
☛ How do you handle misbehavior in the classroom?
☛ What five items would you put in an empty classroom?
☛ What would you do if children were fighting and got physical? (Biting, hitting, etc)
☛ How does the day of an infant in your classroom differ from the day of a toddler in your classroom?
- Explain how would you react to a toddler who was not responsive when you told them to do something?
For disciplining them, putting them in a corner for at least 2 minutes. For limit setting, I’ve never had to, so I’m not sure.
- Tell me if you were to operate your own childcare program, what key components would you include to make it successful?
This is an effective question to get a deeper look into what the candidate knows about quality early childhood education. Do they talk about establishing an exciting curriculum, but neglect to mention aspects of safety? Do they mention anything about working well with other staff members and keeping parents involved? Pay careful attention to not only what they mention, but also what they exclude.
- Tell me have you experienced any situations that have influenced your approach to child care?
A good way to ask about a candidate’s past experiences, this question will get the interviewee thinking about their previous jobs and how they have helped them grow as a daycare worker. Ask specifically about each job listed on their resume, and whether or not they gained valuable lessons from each. Their answers will reveal insights into how they currently work with coworkers, children and their families.
- Tell me if you were delivering personal support to someone, how would you maintain their dignity and respect?
This gets candidates to think about how the other person is going to feel. They need to show they can do the job empathetically, encouraging the individual to do as much for themselves as possible, while offering support. The most important thing is to always communicate. Show you understand what needs doing, but highlight that you would give the person the choice as to whether they want to have a bath or go to the toilet, for example. Explain how you would promote the person’s independence and help them over time gain the ability to do more for themselves. It shows us the candidate has a deep understanding of the role.
- As you know safeguarding is an important and topical issue. When going into someone’s home, how would you know they are safe and healthy? If you felt concerned, what would you do?
You need to explain what you’d look out for and the signs that someone is in a safe environment. For example, you need to look around at their surroundings; does the person look cared for, do they have somewhere clean to sleep, do they have food and water available, are there signs of abuse, and have there been any behavioral changes? The care worker would need to speak to the person to see if they reveal anything, and if they have ongoing concerns, report it to their manager. We need people who take the time to follow up with someone if they’re worried.
- Tell me what do you enjoy most about being an early childhood educator? What do you find most difficult?
This is likely one of the most important interview questions for daycare workers you are considering. Asking about what he or she enjoys – and what they don’t – helps you to really get to know the person you are interviewing. You will get a feel for what motivates or discourages them, and start to develop a picture of whether or not they will be happy working at your center for a long period of time. It can also provide you with a heads up about potential issues that could develop down the road, such as if a candidate mentions they love working with children, but finds it difficult to work with parents.
- Tell me would you apply the same principles in bringing up your wards, as you were subjected to?
Never. It doesn’t make sense. Things have changed drastically. A reasonable amount of discipline is very important but pulling strings too hard can actually have an adverse effect on children of today. I always keep a balance of discipline, understanding and leeway.
- Explain what role should outdoor play and interaction with other toddlers have in a child’s playtime experience?
I think it’s really important. Kids love socializing and playing so as long as there is supervision, there’s absolutely no problem with them playing.
- Explain ways you can turn everyday household activities into a fun activity for children?
Washing dishes, dressing themselves, feeding themselves, cleaning behind themselves. Learning to read. See, hear, and smell. There are a tons of things of everyday life that you can do and go over and over throughout from birth and really forever.
- Tell me for children over the ages of five, what are your feelings about outdoor play without direct supervision?
I believe there are still a lot of barriers even if you cannot see them so to me all children even if they are 5 years of age should be watched as when it comes to play children of that age aren’t really aware of their surroundings.
- Please explain success for you as a preschool teacher?
Children in their formative years require more out of a teacher than others. The interviewer wants to find out if you have any goals or takeaways for your preschoolers.
“I have a few goals I aim to achieve that allow me to measure my success as well. First, my overall objective is to instill a positive attitude towards education. Second, I strive to build independence and confidence in my preschoolers so that they use their full potential. Lastly, I teach my students to celebrate their differences and interact positively with one another. If they walk away with at least a little of each aspect, then I feel as though I have succeeded in my role.”
- Tell us what is your background with children?
I have provided care to newborn babies and children aged up to 10 years. I can handle children’s personal and nutritional needs perfectly and have helped older children with homework as well. Since I have been a child caregiver for 12 years, I have seen, experienced and managed even the toughest situations with children quite easily.
- Describe yourself in 3 words?
If you’ve only got three words, you need to make sure the ones you choose will leave a big impression on the interviewer. The following words are always seen as desirable; Dependable, Punctual, Honest, Driven, Reliable, Organised, Positive, Achiever, Ambitious, Energetic, Dedicated, Friendly, Motivated, Flexible, Responsible.
In such a situation you can use positive words that bring about your most positive characteristics. The answer should also be ground in solid logic and should reference professional achievements.
- Why do you want this job as Day Care Assistant?
A short question, but one that requires a lot of preparation to answer correctly. It is important that you give the employer a sense that you are passionate and interested in their business, their company and what they do. No employer wants to think that you would work just about anywhere – even if that is the truth!
The best way to answer this question is to ensure that you fully research the company in advance. Understand who they are, what they do, what they sell, where they are headed as well as understanding the achievements they have reached and the challenges they face.
Then think about what you will bring to the company in this context. It is important to outline how you will benefit the company and not focus on what the company will bring to you.
An example of an effective response is:
“I have researched and read widely on your company and consider it a market leader within the digital industry. I am particularly very interested in some of the new projects which I understand are coming down the tracks – such as the building of a new website for the publishing industry, as well as the development of an online e-commerce site. With over 5 years experience in this arena, I feel that I can play a key role in ensuring the success of these new projects by bringing all my knowledge and know-how to the company.”
- Explain an occasion when you needed to persuade someone to do something?
Interpersonal relationships are a very important part of being a successful care assistant. This question is seeking a solid example of how you have used powers of persuasion to achieve a positive outcome in a professional task or situation. The answer should include specific details.
- How do you handle confidentiality in your work as Day Care Assistant?
Often, interviewers will ask questions to find out the level of technical knowledge that a candidate has concerning the duties of a care assistant. In a question such as this, there is an opportunity to demonstrate professional knowledge and awareness. The confidentiality of a person’s medical records is an important factor for a care assistant to bear in mind.
- Tell me how your understanding of current legislation would inform your daily work?
Your answer needs to show an employer you have knowledge, experience and understanding of relevant legislation within areas like mental health or child protection. These are always changing so it’s essential you keep up-to-date. You may then delve deeper into your areas of expertise in your answer. Refer to specific regulations or guidance, acknowledge why the legislation is important and how you would use it in the role.
- Explain me about your experience working with kids?
I took a semester of ece I have babysat for relatives and I did co-op at a daycare during high school I also worked at a home base daycare with a family friend.
- Tell me what is your stance on discipline?
I was told once not to do something and if I didn’t listen I would be put in time out. I wouldn’t really do anything differently with my own I feel I would be strict but not super strict but I would teach them to have respect for me and to listen.
- Tell us how do you handle working with children of different age groups?
Most likely as a preschool teacher you will be working with students from ages three to five. The interviewer wants to make sure your curriculum will be relevant to the entire range of age groups.
“The most important thing I keep in mind when working with children of different age groups is to keep each child engaged and mentally stimulated. Everyone must have equal attention because often if a child feels neglected they will start to act out. All students’ physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs should be met and further developed. I make sure to keep a diverse curriculum that is specified and beneficial to each age. I develop cross-age activities as well.”
- Tell me what part of being a child care teacher gives you the most satisfaction?
When you have cared for a child for a certain period of time, you see him or her developing the exact habits that you have taught them. That is satisfaction in itself. Seeing success of my work in little people’s eyes, speech and actions is gratifying.
- Tell me what do you like most about children?
Their enthusiasm. Each child that I have had the good fortune to look after, has been a complete joy owing to his or her individuality. Children have so much capacity to learn and as a mentor and caregiver, I like the fact that I can be a positive influence on how they will lead their adult life.