Childcare workers, also called daycare workers, attend to the basic needs of children, such as dressing, feeding, and overseeing play.
Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Decision-making skills
- Physical stamina
- Patience
In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Childcare Worker positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!
Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.
Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates
Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.
Communication skills
Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:
Childcare workers need good speaking skills to provide direction or information effectively and good listening skills to understand parents’ instructions.
Related: Childcare Interview Questions & Answers
Decision-making skills
Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:
Good judgment is necessary for childcare workers so they can respond to emergencies or difficult situations.
Interpersonal skills
Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:
Childcare workers need to work well with people in order to develop good relationships with parents, children, and colleagues.
Patience
Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:
Childcare workers need to be able to respond calmly to overwhelming and difficult situations.
Physical stamina
Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:
Working with children can be physically demanding, so childcare workers should have a lot of energy.
(source: bls.gov)
Childcare Worker Job Interview Questions & Answers
During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:
- Employment history
- Skills and abilities
- Accomplishments
- Job qualifications
- Educational background
- Career goals
- Personality
Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.
Examples Of General Childcare Worker Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- How would you describe yourself?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What interests you about this position?
- Walk me through your resume.
- What motivates you?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Describe your work ethic.
- What is your greatest strength?
- How does your experience qualify you for this job?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
- What are your expectations for this position?
- What are your career goals?
- Why should we hire you?
- What did you like most about your last position?
- What did you like least about your last position?
- How do you handle stress?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!
Examples Of Specific Childcare Worker Behavioral Interview Questions
Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.
- Which skills do you think are essential for a childcare worker? Can you give me an example of how you use these skills in your daily work?
- At what point do you think you should address consistent behavioral problems to a child’s parents?
- Describe a time you resolved an issue with an unhappy parent.
- What would you do if children in your group were fighting and got physical?
- Tell me about the age groups that you prefer to work with as a childcare worker. Why?
- What do you find the most challenging aspect of working as a childcare worker?
- How would you handle a misbehaving child in your group?
- Describe a time you had to respond to an emergency that happened under your watch. What happened? What actions did you take?
- How do you deal with working under very close supervision as a childcare worker?
- What would be your approach to help new parents feel that you’re providing the best care possible for their child?
Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.