How to Properly Screen for the Right Nanny?

At no time is safety more important than when you’re looking for a nanny for your child. This process should always include, if not start with, a background check of your best applicants. We recommend only licensed and certified providers because you’ll find quite a few such services to be available. 

Unfortunately, many people overlook screening as a step in this important process. They assume that the agency they’re searching through has screened all of its staff. This isn’t always the case. What’s more, the term “screening” is very general. 

However, it’s safe to assume they do some sort of vetting. Background verification is compulsory if you’re hiring outside an agency. Services like Check People can get you all the data you need. 

Ask Other Parents for Recommendations  

Someone you’ve known for a while and whose children are friends with yours can be trusted. They might be able to provide some useful information. Maybe they know a great nanny who’s looking for work. When you ask them for a recommendation, you should state what you need clearly. Consequently, you need to have worked out these details in advance. 

While you can’t be sure you’ll be satisfied with the person they recommend, it’s definitely an option worth trying. Relatives and friends who’ve had a good experience with a childcare provider will make it easier for you to see if she’s a good fit for your family as well. 

You might opt for nanny sharing. This will work as long as a sharing schedule is agreed on. If someone’s working for another family full time, this might be difficult to achieve. 

Ask for Personal Data 

You can’t do without the nanny’s personal data if you want to do a background check. What’s more, you need to tell her about your plans and ask for permission. Don’t be afraid to do this. Ask to see an ID card, a driver’s license, or another government-issued photo ID. Passports, green cards, immigration cards, DMV ID cards, and alien registration cards are other options. If she is driving your child, she’ll impress with a spotless driving record. To get evidence of this, call your state’s DMV and ask them to verify her insurance and license.  

Write Information Down 

Record her full name, address, date of birth, phone number, and Social Security number. Knowing where she’s worked in the past might be helpful. Check with the Board of Nursing or another relevant institution to ask about licensing. 

Get a third party provider to perform a background check if you don’t have enough time on your hands. Screening all these records manually is very time-consuming. Proper screening includes checking for criminal history. Generally, departments of justice won’t give a non-qualified entity access to such records. The person you’re looking up must give the department permission to release her data. All caregivers who work in nursing homes are subjected to this type of screening, but nurses aren’t. 

Making the Best Decision 

A reliable screening will ensure you’re making the right decision. Before you proceed with it, think about how many days and how many hours a day you will need help. Ask the nanny if she’s OK with your proposed schedule and include extra hours on holidays, in the evening, or on weekends if needed. There’s no point in screening someone who doesn’t meet your requirements a priori. 

We would discourage you from turning someone down based solely on an online lookup. Experts recommend talking about the background check’s critical points if negative information happens to emerge. It’s possible that your candidate learned from her mistakes, and you have nothing to fear.