How to prepare for a nursery interview
Preparing for a nursery job interview can feel daunting, especially if you’re just starting your career in early years education or returning to the sector after a break.
Fortunately, with the right preparation, you can walk into your interview feeling confident and excited to show why you’re a great fit for the role.
Every nursery runs slightly differently, but most interviews touch on the same core areas, such as your approach to working with children, your communication style, and how you’d fit into their team.
From brushing up on your CV to learning how to show your passion, our guide offers practical, straightforward tips to help you effectively prepare for a nursery interview.
1. Know your CV and experience inside out
A clear, well-structured CV that highlights your relevant experience can secure you the interview, but it only works in your favour if you know it inside out and can confidently discuss every detail.
Since you’re applying for a career in early years teaching, make sure your CV reflects that focus.
Tailor it to early years work by spotlighting anything that shows your ability to care for, communicate with, and support young children.
If you’ve worked in other industries, that experience is still valuable as you’ve likely developed important skills (like teamwork, responsibility, or problem-solving) that can be applied to a nursery setting.
When it comes to direct experience with children, such as babysitting, volunteering at schools, helping out with younger siblings, or previous nursery roles, reflect on what you learned and how your approaches have developed.
And remember, your CV should be concise, rather than adding too much detail. Just be sure that you’re ready to expand on anything you’ve included when asked.
How to prepare:
- Review your CV carefully and make sure you’re comfortable talking through everything you’ve mentioned
- Under each job or experience, include a list of bullet points that highlight your responsibilities and the impact you had
- Prepare 2–3 specific examples that show how you’ve supported children’s development, well-being, or daily routines in meaningful ways
2. Research the nursery you’re interviewing with
Taking the time to learn about the nursery before your interview shows initiative and allows you to tailor your answers to their values and approach.
In the interview, you can try linking what you learn about the nursery back to your own skills and experiences. For example, if the nursery focuses on a particular teaching style, think about how your previous roles or personal approach align with that.
When interviewers ask why you want to work there, they’re looking for genuine interest.
It’s enough to say, “I visited your website and was inspired by your focus on [specific value or approach].” No one expects you to memorise everything, but highlighting a few things that stood out to you shows you are serious about the role and helps set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare:
- Take the time to explore the nursery’s website and social media to understand their values, teaching style, and approach to childcare
- Write down 2–3 ways your approach or values align with theirs
- Be ready to answer questions like, “What appeals to you about working at this nursery?”
3. Understand the role and requirements
Once you’ve received your interview invitation, it’s time to revisit the job description with fresh eyes.
If there’s a focus in the description on supporting children’s development as a nursery worker, you’ll want to prepare examples of how you’ve helped children learn and grow. If managing daily routines or teamwork is emphasised, think about times you successfully organised activities or collaborated with colleagues.
Matching your experience to the specific priorities outlined in the job description demonstrates your full understanding of the role.
Being fully aware of the role and its requirements also puts you in a stronger position to answer common nursery interview questions such as:
“What childcare or early years qualifications do you hold?”
“How has your training prepared you for this role?”
“Can you give examples of how you’ve applied your skills in past childcare settings?”
How to prepare:
- Read the job description again and highlight the core responsibilities, skills, and qualifications mentioned
- Match each key point with your own relevant experience or strengths
- Review your childcare qualifications and any recent training
- Make sure you have access to any certificates that you might need to present
4. Practice common themes and scenarios
Nursery interviews often revolve around a few key themes such as child development, safeguarding, behaviour management, parent communication, and teamwork.
Choose two or three of these themes that are most relevant to the job or where you have meaningful experience. Reflect deeply on specific examples from your work or volunteering where you handled these areas well.
It’s also useful to prepare for scenario-based questions, where the interviewer may ask how you would handle a particular situation. Think about some scenarios in advance and practice explaining your reasoning. For instance, you might be asked how you would support a child who is struggling to settle or how you would respond to a conflict between two children.
How to prepare:
- Choose 2–3 common themes (e.g., behaviour, communication with parents, teamwork) and reflect on real-life examples
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers
- Answer aloud to improve your clarity and confidence
5. Consider doing a mock interview
A mock interview is a practical way to prepare for your nursery interview. It lets you practice answering common questions clearly and professionally, helping you become more comfortable discussing your skills and experience.
Getting feedback from a friend or mentor can show you what you’re doing well and where you can improve, including adjusting your body language and tone.
How to prepare:
- Focus on 3-5 topics you’re likely to be asked about and answer in timed segments
- Ask a friend, mentor, or colleague to role-play a short interview and give feedback
- Record the session and review it to refine your delivery and tone
6. Prepare questions to ask the nursery
Asking thoughtful questions shows that you’re engaged, curious, and genuinely interested in the role and setting.
Good questions can also help you understand what your day-to-day experience might be like and what support you can expect.
For example, you’ll likely be interested in your career progression in early years education if you accept the role. You can ask about opportunities for training, mentoring, and pathways for advancement within the nursery, so you can understand how the employer aims to support your professional growth.
How to prepare:
- Prepare 2 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview (e.g., about staff support, routines, development, or team culture)
- Don’t ask generic questions simply to fill the silence, as interviewers notice when questions aren’t genuine, and it can hurt your chances
- Write your questions down or have them ready on your device to avoid forgetting them
7. Be yourself and highlight your passion
Nurseries want to see enthusiasm and a genuine love for working with children. Your CV covers your skills and experience, but the interview gives you the chance to reveal your personality and why you’re passionate about this work.
Avoid over-rehearsing your answers. Instead, practice sharing your story in a natural way, as if you’re talking to a friend.
Be open about any challenges you’ve faced. If you struggled with something but learned from the experience, share it. This honesty shows self-awareness and growth, qualities that nurseries appreciate.
Above all, remember to let your love for working with children shine through naturally.
If nerves hit, take a deep breath, smile, and remember the interviewers want the real you. It’s perfectly fine to pause and gather your thoughts before answering a question.
How to prepare:
- Reflect on why you want to work in early years and what excites you about the role
- Think of a proud moment when you made a difference in a child’s life
- Write a short, honest statement about your passion for early years and practice saying it out loud
The path to joining an N Family Club Nursery
Preparing for a nursery interview is about more than rehearsing answers. It’s your chance to reflect on your values, experience, and passion for early years education.
At N Family Club, we carefully review your experience and qualifications before an introductory call to discuss the role. If successful, you’ll have a formal interview to assess your fit with our values, followed by a nursery visit to meet the team in their working environment.
You can learn about our available roles on our Nursery Educator Jobs page.
If you’re looking for part-time or flexible hours, we also offer Flexi Bank roles that may suit your schedule.
For insight into how flexible schedules work in this field, take a look at our article on flexible working in the early years sector.