1. Explain me how would you describe your approach to care assistant work?

In more general terms, a question such as this gives a candidate the opportunity to talk about their professional philosophy and skills. While the question is general in nature, the best answers are usually quite specific, picking one or two points and exemplifying them with instances from personal history.

2. Tell me an example of how you've contributed to effective team working?

This is intended to show employers you'll work well with other social workers and your management team. It will also allow employers to find out if you have the softer skills and values for social care. The best example will show how you have listened to colleagues and supported them. Highlight positions of responsibility you had and how you supervised others. Preparation is key here so have an example that clearly shows why team working was important and how your skills influenced the positive outcome.

3. Tell me an idea that you have had and have then implemented in practice?

Often an interview guide will outline the so-called ‘STAR' approach for answering such questions; Structure the answer as a situation, task, action, and result: what the context was, what you needed to achieve, what you did, and what the outcome was as a result of your actions.

4. Tell us why did you select teaching preschool as a career?

Being a preschool teacher requires a true love for the field and working with kids. The interviewer is ensuring these are traits you possess.

"Growing up I was the oldest of six brothers and sisters. Helping my mother to care for them gave me the skills to be a nurturer. I worked as a babysitter and in various child care centers before I became a teacher. I always found myself drawn to similar jobs. I developed a passion for working with kids and found I was quite skilled at it."

5. Explain me an occasion when you had to adapt in the face of a difficult situation?

One of the most useful interview tactics is to remain positive about your work and achievements. This question lets the candidate draw on their own personal history to show how they have been positive and successful in the face of difficulties. Choose a specific occasion to describe, rather than dealing with generic platitudes.

6. Explain me 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.

7. Tell me 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 recognize these situations.

8. Tell me what has been your most formative experience with children and families?

The first child care job that I held was at a small daycare in Aurora, called The Daisies. This was 15 years ago. There has been no looking back since then. I have worked in many different child care roles and attained experience in handling babies, toddlers and young adults too.

9. Tell me what television shows do you feel are appropriate for children of ages 3-5?

Any show that help them learn for example mickey mouse club house where they show kids to work in groups to help them solve problems or team ABC where it teaches them about shapes and sizes.

10. Tell us what do you know about the policies for protecting vulnerable adults?

It is important to have some theoretical as well as practical knowledge of the care assistant's duties. Give a summary of how to approach, for example, a situation where you notice unexpected bruising or contusions.

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