If you are in the process of hiring a nanny or au pair, you may be wondering how you can ensure the safety of your children. Well, one solution is to carry out a background check to ensure that your prospective nanny has no criminal convictions or anything else in his or her past that could be the cause for concern.

Although it may seem like an unpleasant and suspicious thing to do, it is worth bearing in mind that a nanny background check is no different from the checks that are carried out on all prospective hospital employees. In no way does this suggest that the person you are investigating is a ‘bad’ person. It is merely a case of better safe than sorry. And, of course, where your kids are concerned, you can never be too safe.

How to Conduct a Background Check

You may want to begin your search by finding your local or state website, which will direct you to the correct department for your specific search. The information obtained from state sources is almost always free. However, you should be aware that this offers limited help, because it will only offer information relevant within that state. Moreover, there are some pieces of information that, although they are part of public record, are not readily available through these channels.

Therefore, you may find it easier and quicker to conduct your search by using one of the background check websites. These programs offer more comprehensive detail and can offer almost instant access to the records that you have requested. Unfortunately, finding the services of a reputable company means paying, but it is usually a nominal fee.

Choosing a Background Check Service

As you may already be aware, there are a huge number of background check services available online. A brief search engine query will produce more results than you could possible look through. Therefore, it is a good idea to consider the following while browsing your options.

The first thing to do is to think about exactly what you hope to get from the service. In other words, when searching for background on a prospective nanny, it is no good retrieving family history. Consequently, it is a good idea to avoid those records search sites that specialize in records that are not useful to you.

Think about how much you will be willing to pay. Some sites are more costly than others, but may retrieve more in-depth information. So you may like to weigh up the pros and cons of each program.

One of the most important things to remember when dealing with a background check is that it is advisable to ensure that the site handles all searches with discretion. Obviously, when dealing with something as delicate as checking up on a nanny, this is particularly important. These simple steps will allow you to find a reputable and accurate records search site, which is vital when conducting a nanny background check.

By: Joan Yankowitz

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