How to Do Nanny Background Checks

Hire the right nanny for your child.

Entrusting your child with a stranger can be nerve-racking. When you are hiring a nanny, performing a background check can provide you with piece of mind. You can either perform the check on the baby-sitter yourself, or hire professional agency to do it. Hiring an agency to do the background check can be expensive, but it could be worth the peace of mind.

Instructions

1. Ask the candidate if she would be willing to submit to a background check. If she refuses, that's a warning sign itself.

2. Go through a nanny agency to find your sitter. These agencies have the best resources for tracking down any suspicious behaviors, according to an article in "Reuters."

3. Ask the candidate questions about her work history during the interview. If she dodges some questions, that can be a red flag.

4. Hire a professional such as a private detective agency to run a background check on your nanny. The private detective will look into more than just her criminal record. A private detective can tell about her business, personal and family relationships and whether she has financial problems.

5. Perform a background check yourself if you have the time and enjoy research. You can find a wide range of information about someone online. Be careful with the information that you find. Sometimes there are people with the same name living in the same area; verify that you have the correct individual. When you are hiring a nanny, have her fill out an application with enough information for you to do a proper nanny background check.

6. Ask your home insurance provider if they can provide you with a criminal background check. There is normally a fee if they offer this service. Some insurance companies only offer this service to their clients that are businesses. Knowing how to do nanny background checks will protect your child from harm.

References

• "Reuters Money"; Don't Skip the Nanny Background Check; 2011