Reasons to Run a Nanny Background Check

When hiring a nanny it’s essential to gather as much information as possible about a potential candidate so that you can make an educated and informed hiring decision.

Parents have many tools at their disposal to help them gather information. Employment applications, personal interviews, reference checks and background checks are some of the most common tools parents use to screen a nanny.

Background checks provide insight into a nanny’s past. They also help parents verify a nanny’s identity and identifying information, like date of birth, address and other information provided on a job application.

While most people think of only criminal records checks when they hear of background checks, background checks can include social security number verification, criminal court records checks, civil court records checks, motor vehicle record checks, sex offender registry checks, credit checks, reference checks and employment, educational and credential verification. Some parents also require drug testing and turn to the Internet and conduct searches on the candidate’s name and visit social profiles of the nanny candidate.

While even the best background check can’t provide a guarantee that a nanny won’t engage in undesirable behavior, thorough background checks can tell if a nanny has been honest on her job application and resume and if a nanny has a criminal past.

Regardless of the intensity of the background check completed, it must be in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which also requires that candidates provide consent to have their background checked and that  candidates receive proper disclosure about the checks performed.

To obtain the best results, the information provided to the employer by the candidate must be verified. Parents should verify the candidate’s identity and be sure that the information provided on the application matches the indentifying documents. If a nanny has changed her name due to marriage or other reason, all known names should be included in a background check.

There are many things that your background check may uncover that can make a huge impact on your decision to hire an individual. The information revealed may vary depending on the type of checks conducted.

These include:

  1. If a nanny has provided truthful information about her job history. By verifying the information provided on a job application by contacting past employers parents can determine if the job information provided was truthful.
  2. If a nanny has provided truthful information about her education. By contacting the registrar at the provided school or university parents can determine if a nanny provided accurate educational information.
  3. If a nanny has a criminal record. Criminal records checks with reveal any crimes a nanny has been convicted of. Parents should pay careful attention as to how these records are checked. Online databases may not house the same types of records, detail and accuracy as county court and state court record checks provide.
  4. If the nanny is registered as a sex offender. Parents can check the sex offender registry to see if the nanny is listed.
  5. The driver’s license status of the nanny. With a motor vehicle records check parents can see if a nanny is currently licensed and if there are any motor vehicle infractions.
  6. If the nanny has wants and warrants. By checking for wants and warrants parents can determine if a nanny is wanted by law enforcement.
  7. If the nanny has financial pressures. A credit check or civil court records check could reveal bankruptcy or an excessive amount of debt.
  8. The residential history of a nanny. A social security trace will provide past and present addresses associated with the social security number.
  9. If the nanny’s social security number is valid. A social security number verification may tell when and where a social security number was issued.
  10. If there are gaps in employment. By reviewing job history, parents can determine if there are any unaccounted for gaps in employment.

Once you’ve gathered information from a comprehensive background screening it’s time to analyze it. Parents can use the information provided to make an educated and informed hiring decision. Background checks should be used in conjunction with interviews, reference checks and other tools to provide parents with a clearer picture of who their nanny candidate truly is.

For more information on background screenings please review our Guide to Nanny Background Checks.