Working as a nursery assistant can be a really fun and rewarding experience, but before you get the job, you’ll need to impress the interviewer with your knowledge and passion for working with children.
When you attend your nursery assistant interview, be prepared to talk about why you want to work in a nursery and what qualities you have that make you a good fit for the job.
The interviewer will also want to know about any experience you have working with children, so be sure to mention any relevant work placements, internships or volunteering roles you have had. (Try to work these key points into your answers)
14 Interview Questions for Nursery Assistant (With Sample Answers)
1. Why do you want to work in a nursery?
Sample Answer: Nurseries are settings where children can learn and grow through play. I am passionate about working with young children and helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
I believe that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential, and working in a nursery is one way that I can help make that happen.
2. What qualifications do you have that make you a good fit for this job?
Sample Answer: I have a degree in early childhood education from XYZ University. In addition, I have completed several internships at local nurseries and have experience working with children of all ages. I am patient, caring, and love watching children learn new things.
3. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful nursery assistant?
Sample Answer: The most important qualities for a successful nursery assistant are patience, creativity, flexibility, and the ability to build relationships with both children and adults. Nurseries can be hectic places, so it’s important to be able to remain calm under pressure.
It’s also important to be able to think on your feet and come up with new activities when necessary. As a nursery assistant, I understand that I will be working closely with both children and parents, so it’s important to be able to build strong relationships with people from all walks of life.
See Also: Interview Questions for EYFS Teaching Assistant (With Answers)
4. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation?
Sample Answer: One time, when I was working at ABC Nursery, one of the children was acting out and getting disruptive during group activities. I spoke with her privately and learned that she was feeling left out because she didn’t have any friends at the nursery.
I took some time to get to know her better and soon she became one of my regular helpers during group activities. By taking the time to listen to her and understand her feelings, I was able to turn a difficult situation into a positive one.
5. What do you think is the most important thing we can do for young children?
Sample Answer: The most important thing we can do for young children is helping them develop a love of learning. If children enjoy coming to nursery or school every day, they are more likely to want to learn new things and make progress in their studies.
There are many ways to foster a love of learning in young children, but some of my favourites are providing opportunities for hands-on learning experiences, singing songs or reading stories together, and encouraging them to ask questions about the world around them.
6. What do you think are the benefits of outdoor play?
Sample Answer: There are many benefits to outdoor play, including physical activity, fresh air, and exposure to nature.
Outdoor play also helps children develop social skills as they interact with other children in their community. Additionally, outdoor play can help reduce stress and anxiety levels in both children and adults.
7. Can you tell me about a time when you had to be creative in your work with children?
Sample Answer: One time, I was working with a group of preschoolers who were having trouble sitting still for story time.
Instead of reading to them from a book, I decided to act out the story using props and puppets.
The children loved it and they were much more engaged than they would have been if I had just read the story to them from a book.
This experience showed me that sometimes it’s necessary to be creative in order to get children interested and engaged in activities.
8. What do you think is the most important thing we can do to promote early literacy skills?
Sample Answer: One of the most important things we can do to promote early literacy skills is to read aloud to children on a regular basis.
Reading aloud helps children develop phonemic awareness, learn new words, and understand the structure of language.
Additionally, it’s important to provide opportunities for children to practice their own literacy skills through activities such as writing, drawing, and dictating stories.
See Also: Why do you want to be a Teaching Assistant? – Sample Answers
9. What do you think is the most important thing we can do to promote numeracy skills?
Sample Answer: Just like with literacy, one of the most important things we can do to promote numeracy skills is to provide opportunities for children to practice on a regular basis.
This could involve counting games, matching numbers with objects, or sorting items by size or shape. It’s also important to make maths fun and engaging for children, so they don’t get discouraged and give up.
10. What do you think are the benefits of play-based learning?
Sample Answer: There are many benefits to play-based learning, including promoting creativity, encouraging problem-solving skills, and fostering social and emotional development.
Play-based learning is also beneficial because it allows children to learn at their own pace and in their own way.
Additionally, play is enjoyable for both children and adults, so it’s a great way to bond with the children you are caring for.
11. Do you have any tips on how to deal with difficult behaviour from children?
Sample Answer: When dealing with difficult behaviour from children, it’s important to stay calm and try to understand what might be causing the child to act out. Once you know the cause of the behaviour, you can work on addressing it.
Also, it’s helpful to provide positive reinforcement when the child is behaving well. This could involve praise, stickers, or small rewards. It’s also very important to be consistent with your expectations and consequences so that the child knows what to expect.
12. Do you have any tips on how to deal with difficult behaviour from parents?
Sample Answer: When dealing with difficult behaviour from parents, it’s important to stay calm and try to understand their perspective. It can be helpful to offer suggestions or resources that might be beneficial for them.
Additionally, it’s important to set boundaries and be clear about what you are and are not willing to do. Finally, it’s helpful to build a relationship of trust and respect so that the parents feel comfortable communicating with you.
See Also: What skills do you need to work in a nursery?
13. What do you think are the best ways to encourage parent involvement?
Sample Answer: There are many ways to encourage parent involvement, including providing opportunities for them to volunteer in the classroom, attending family events, and sending home information about what their child is learning in school.
It’s also important to make sure that parents feel welcome and comfortable in the school environment. Additionally, it can be helpful to provide incentives for parent involvement, such as gift cards or free tickets to events.
14. Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with parents who are not supportive of the school’s program?
Sample Answer: When dealing with parents who are not supportive of the school’s program, it’s important to try to understand their perspective and address any concerns they might have.
Additionally, it can be helpful to provide resources or information that might change their opinion. Finally, it’s important to be respectful and understanding, even if the parents are not receptive to what you have to say.
See Also: 25 Learning Support Assistant Interview Questions
Keep in mind:
Some of these questions may not seem that difficult, but they’re actually quite important!
Being able to answer them competently will show the interviewer that you’re serious about the position and that you’re ready to take on the challenge.
If you’re asked questions about your personal life, try to keep your answers relevant to the job.
For example, if you’re asked whether you have children of your own, you could say that you love spending time with kids and feel like you would be good at looking after them.
Ultimately, the interviewer will be looking to see if you have the right attitude for the job and if you’ll fit in well with the team, so be sure to show that you’re enthusiastic, patient, and good at working as part of a team. Good luck!
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