1. Explain 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.
2. Explain what do you expect that you will be doing as a child care aide at our organization?
Ensuring a healthy, safe and nurturing environment will be my prime responsibility. In addition to this, I expect to foster children's social, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth by providing them with a comfortable and caring environment. Assisting students in meeting their learning and social interaction objectives is also something that I expect to do.
3. Tell me what made you decide that you wanted to work as a foster care worker?
I have lived in foster homes since I was 5 years old, after the untimely demise of both my parents. Having been through the system myself, I recognized and appreciated the limitations of the foster care system, and it was inherently important for me to contribute something to make it a better one for children who have to go through it now. Initially, this was my motivation to take up a career as a foster care worker.
4. Tell me 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.
5. Explain 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.
6. Tell me what are your skills in special education?
I have worked with children with special needs in the past. Understanding their specific requirements – both physical and emotional – and devising plans to meet them is something that I am quite good with. Additionally, I am in the process of gaining certification in special education, which I am sure will make me better equipped to handle special education activities.
7. Tell me so how did you handle the situation?
After much difficulty, I managed to find a counselor who could reach out to the child. The process was not smooth, but after 2 years of constant counseling, his transformation was amazing. And the family that he is now placed with is extremely happy with him!
8. Please explain why do you want to work with us?
Gather some background information regarding the hiring firm first and then answer the question by stating some features of the firm that help them standout form other firms. For example: ‘I have always heard well about the childcare services provided by this firm. Since I am a passionate and dedicated child care giver, I couldn't think of a better place to join'.
9. Tell us as far as preliminary education is concerned, how to you handle your wards?
I employ a school-readiness program for children not yet of school going age. Teaching them language and numbers using appropriate preschool methods is my feat.
10. Tell me what specific duties have you been performing as a child advocate?
While working as a child advocate, I have been responsible for assessing my clients' situations, gauging threats to them, creating and implementing plans to avert them, providing advocacy in front of services and courts, and providing counseling to them to ensure their physical and mental / emotional wellbeing.
11. Can you describe 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 recognise these situations.
12. Tell us what activities have you planned for children in the past?
I have not planned things for children but I have helped lead children in activities.
13. Tell us what type of educational activities do you believe a child will enjoy?
Depending on the age of the child, there are a number of physical games, puzzles and memory games that I use to keep them engaged during the time that the parents are away.
14. Explain 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.
15. Explain 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.
Personally, I am a compassionate person. The ability to understand children's predicaments and handle them with extreme fragility is something that is ingrained into my personality. Professionally, I am extremely intuitive, which makes it easy for me to gauge situations and come up with excellent foster care solutions.
I would calmly convince them that I'll try my best to make sure it doesn't happen again and that I'd instill and reinforce the value of empathy among all pupils involved.
18. Explain one skill that you deem extremely important while working as a child advocate?
I believe that the ability to handle crises intervention activities in a proper manner is one of the main skills that a child advocate needs in order to be truly successful in this work.
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.
20. Please tell me what do you know about our organization?
I don't know to much, but I know your a Christian church that if I remember correctly is a Puritian church.
21. Please 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.
22. Tell me how do you feel about incorporating different angles into your child care activities?
Every child has a different nature and learning abilities. It is important to make sure that they are taught and handled according to their individual capabilities. Incorporating external modules into standard child care activities is very important, as it gives them a learning edge. Activities based learning for instance, is fun and can help children understand different concepts in a fun way.
23. Tell us do you have any experience of care giving with children having special needs?
‘Yes.'(explain the experience)or, ‘No, but I'm willing to take up a position of child care giving that requires caring for special needs children'.
24. Explain 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.
25. Tell me do you think it is possible to do justice to your job if you do not like children?
No. Children are the major territory when you work as a bus attendant. If you don't like them, you won't be able to do your work properly.
