Nanny Background Check: 5 Red Flags to Look Out For

There are several benefits to hiring a nanny. They are generally affordable and can provide many of the essentials for your child. But you want to make sure your little one is safe with their new carer, so you must run a background check.

Deciding to do a nanny background check is one of the best ways to ensure your children are safe and sound. A background check on a potential nanny can feel like an invasion of privacy, especially if your last nanny check was before the current COVID-19 pandemic hit. However, the peace of mind it can provide for both the nanny and the parents is immeasurable.

While some of the more common red flags cannot be overlooked, there are several examples you may be unaware of. Here are five red flags to look out for during a background check.

Criminal record

Remaining vigilant of suspicious behavior in your new babysitter is of the utmost importance. Though most people are honest and trustworthy, there are always people who may look to use babysitting as a means to access your home.

A criminal record is the most obvious red flag to look out for. Even if the offense is minor, it shows that the nanny has a history of breaking the law. Even if the nanny has no criminal convictions, a history of arrests or other serious offenses should be cause for concern.

You don’t want to hire someone who has been convicted of a crime or has a history of an arrest taking care of your children. Any history with the police should let you know that it’s best to move on to someone else. Checking a potential nanny’s criminal record will also give you and your family peace of mind.

Nanny Background Check Can Reveal Drug Abuse History

A history of drug or alcohol abuse is another red flag, as is a history of violence or erratic behavior. This can lead to neglect or even abuse of the children in your care. Suppose the nanny has a history of substance abuse. In that case, it is essential to find out whether they are currently in recovery and whether they have been able to stay sober for a significant time.

Be sure to check references and talk to previous employers to understand the nanny’s character and work ethic. You may also consider a paid nanny background check service for thorough checking. This usually includes a complete criminal record check, which may also contain alcohol or substance abuse and other serious offense.

History of Accidents or Violence

When you are hiring a nanny, you want to be sure that you are hiring someone who will be a good fit for your family. One of the red flags that you should be aware of when doing a background check for nannies is if the nanny has a history of accidents or violence.

Violence against children like shaking or dropping can result in childhood trauma and negative experience. As a parent, you should learn about ACE’s lasting impact on a child.

If the potential nanny has a history of weird habits like constantly texting or talking on the phone, that’s not a good sign as it may lead to accidents. You’ll also want to make sure that the nanny has solid experience caring for children. You want someone who knows what they’re doing, is attentive and knows their priorities.

She has a Long String of Short-Lived Jobs

If a nanny has had a lot of short-term jobs, it could be a sign that she’s not reliable or that she doesn’t do well with kids. This could also be a sign of instability or that the nanny is challenging to work with. You want someone who is reliable and trustworthy, will stick around for the long haul and will take the job seriously.

If you see any red flags, it is important to investigate further to see if the nanny is a good fit for your family or consider choosing another one.

Her References Don’t Check Out

If the nanny’s references are all from family members or friends, you should consider this a red flag. You want to hear from people who have seen her work with kids. If a nanny can’t provide any references or if the references are unwilling to give you specific information about the nanny’s work, that’s a red flag.

Also, if the references only have good things to say about the nanny and don’t seem to have any negative things, that may be a sign that they’re not completely honest. You want to make sure that the nanny you’re considering is someone who others have recommended.

Another thing to consider is if the references don’t seem to know the nanny very well and are reluctant to give you their contact information. That’s a sign that they may not be genuine.

Keep An Eye Out For These Red Flags

These red flags should be a deal-breaker when considering a nanny for your children. Keep your children safe by doing a nanny background check, thoroughly vetting any potential nannies, and always err on the side of caution. Finally, trust your gut instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.

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