Karen and joanne, i dun think i am a good example as I thought my prev maid was perfect until that thing happened. so i think no set of questions is foolproof sigh. but basically i will lay out the scenario at home, the age of my kids, and ask her what does she think of taking care of small children. i will lay down ground rules like no hp, allow mthly call back, no off day, and ask her if she ok and observe her response very carefully. some maids say yes but dun mean it, can tell from their expression and tone. also, i will ask qns like does prev employer scold her often and for what issues, how does she feel if we correct something she does (again, judge her sincerity of her answer loh), what did she cook for baby last time, and ask her for her daily schedule when she worked for prev employer, to find out if she was very busy and hardworking a not. i will wanna know if she has friends in SG, how she contact her friends last time etc. then sometimes, if the timing is suitable, i will bring one of my kid along, and see how she interacts with them. once i interviewed a maid whom seem alright on the surface but when she played with my boy she seemed halfhearted, eyes roving everywhere but him. so no go. i dun need her to "love" him lah, but just have basic affection for kids in general.
What about you? mind sharing what questions you ask?
JJmom, yes i am so excited about the trolley, hope Jaz likes it! ok if tonight got time i take pics for you! heee!