Interview answers for nursery job?

Question

I have an interview at a nursery, what would be good answers for these questions:

Why do you want to work with children?

How would yo deal with a crying child?

Tell me about yourself?

Your strengths and weaknesses?

I havea rough idea, but would love some advice on what to say. Thank you

Answer 1

Why do you want to work with children? I love to work with children because they are a joy to be around and I care about their well being and developmental skills.

How would yo deal with a crying child? I would calmly ask them what is wrong and try to figure out the cause of their distress. If its an infant I would check the basics( dirty diaper,thirst hunger or possable illness)Then I would try to calm them down in a positive manner.

Tell me about yourself? Just be honest with them about your self.

Your strengths and weaknesses? Same thing.

I havea rough idea, but would love some advice on what to say. Thank you

2 hours ago - 3 days left to answer.

Additional Details

2 hours ago

oh! and why do you want to work at our nursery? Tell them the nice things you have heard about their nursery and maybe the comments that other parents have made about it.Telling them it seems like a place that you could make a career out of. If you give them the idea that its only a temporary position that you are looking for they are more likely not going to hire you.

2 hours ago

Answer 2

My first piece of advice is be honest, don't try to think of the "best" answer or "what they're looking for."  Remember that an interview is not only the employer looking to see if you're a good fit for the school, but if the school (nursery) is a good fit for you.  It's better to find out BEFORE you start the job if you don't agree with their philosophy rather than working there for a while then finding out you don't agree with their values.

Other than that, make sure your answers express your approach to child care.  Do you feel that children learn through play?  Do you feel like children will make the right choices on their own if guided appropriately?  What do you consider discipline to be?

Specifically:

Why do you want to work with children?  Obviously you're not in it for the money.  There are a lot of intrinsic rewards with child care, can you pinpoint some of these?

How would you deal with a crying child?  I think it's important to mention something about why the child is crying - attention vs. pain, etc.  An example would probably be helpful here.

Tell me about yourself? Remember when answering this question that the question really says "What will you bring to this workplace?"  You want to tell the employer about yourself in terms of what it means to them.  I doubt they care what kind of car you drive, but your approach to childcare is probably relevant..

Strengths and weaknesses?  I love this question.  I think it's a great way to show honesty.  It's easy to come up with things you're good at (don't toot your horn too much though!)  On the other hand, come up with at least one good thing you're not so great with and ALWAYS include what you're doing to work on it.  For example, I know for a fact that if I get hungry, I am ridiculously irritable and short-tempered, so I always keep a snack with me.

Why do you want to work at our preschool?  This one is really an opinion one, I think.  Did you hear good things about it?  Do they have great benefits?  Are they close to your home?  Those answers are all okay.

Just try to explain who you are without faking it, and most of all GOOD LUCK!