Babysitters and Backgrounds Checks

BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR BABYSITTERS

As a parent, you want to ensure that your child is receiving optimal care when you are away. A babysitter background check can provide the comfort that you need along with that added assurance that you have hired the right person.

How does the background check work?
The background check provides so much more than an employment or credit check. The background check provides the following:
Identity Verification: To run a babysitter background check, the babysitter’s full name, social security number and driver’s license number is needed to confirm his or her identity. If a babysitter is not a U.S. citizen, you’ll need his or her passport number and work permit for identity verification.
Criminal Records: The criminal records check allow you to review a babysitter’s history of arrests, misdemeanor and felony convictions and and incarcerations. CriminalWatchDog recommends obtaining the babysitter’s address history for the past seven years as this additional information will help determine if a state or national criminal records check is necessary.
Driving Records: The local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can provide a copy the babysitter's driving records. These records will reflect the babysitter’s history of traffic and speeding tickets and other driving violations.
Sex Offender Registry: The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a public access file which provides information on sex offender data nationwide. The history of sexual abuse or crimes of a potential babysitter, if applicable, can be located here.
Child Abuse and Neglect Records:  The child abuse and neglect records of every state is different. Further, state laws vary relative to child abuse and neglect records disclosure. Contact your local child protective services department to find out if you are able to screen a babysitter for past child abuse and neglect.

Babysitter Hiring Hints.
Use a Babysitter Service.
Care.com, UrbanSitter and other online services can allow you to quickly screen potential babysitters in your local area. Theses services also perform babysitter background checks and provide you with the opportunity to meet with a babysitter before you finalize your hiring decision. To determine if an online babysitter search service fulfills your needs, find out how the service works and read client reviews.
Conduct an Initial Babysitter Interview.
A face-to-face meeting is a must if you feel that a candidate is a good fit. This meeting allows you to speak directly to a potential babysitter, learn about his or her background and expertise and receive responses (face-to-face) regarding any concerns or questions. This face-to-face interview also provides the  babysitter with a a chance to ask you questions and determine if this relationship is a good fit for both parties.
Learn about a babysitter’s basic first aid and CPR expertise
It is vital that a potential babysitter is prepared for all emergencies including a cardiac emergency. Ask a babysitter if he or she has received basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Then, find out how he or she may respond to pediatric cardiac emergencies.
Babysitter background checks frequently help a parent differentiate an ordinary babysitter from an exceptional one. If you conduct a comprehensive babysitter background check, you can receive insights into a babysitter’s background that you are unlikely to obtain elsewhere. Best of all, a babysitter background check can help you make an informed babysitter hiring decision that both you and your child can enjoy for years to come.​