A recent Wall Street Journal article has parents talking and wondering about the safety of their childcare providers. The article focuses primarily on an online nanny and sitter service and their background screening process. This article featured a story around an unlicensed daycare provider who was listed on the site as licensed. The story was heartbreaking and highlights the important distinction between childcare providers such as nannies and babysitters offering services to families through what is essentially a job board, where the burden is on the person in need of care to assess the safety of the caregiver, versus the more comprehensive and screened childcare service typically offered through agencies.
Since the article, more than 35,000 childcare provider names were removed from the site. These sites do not screen candidates who post their services and experience on these boards and that leaves parents with risk, or much work to vet their own caregiver.
Every outside caregiver that comes to your home to care for your children should be thoroughly screened. If relying on an independent and reputable nanny or babysitter agency, parents should verify the process the agency uses. If hiring on your own, after a successful interview and even a good “gut feeling”, it is critical to thoroughly vet any potential caregivers that come from a job board-type site.
Reference Checks
Speaking directly to past employers is the starting point to understanding the reliability, experience and integrity of your candidate. Suggested questions might be: When did she start/end work for you--verify her tenure. What was the age of your child(ren)--does her experience match your child’s age? What did you like most about the nanny? How did she respond to your direction? Was she dependable, on time, absent? Did he ever have to handle an emergency and if so, how did it go? Would you rehire him or her?
Follow up with specifics and drill down to the day to day experience to gain a true picture of the candidate’s past work situation.
Education Verification
You may ask for a school transcript for education past high school. While you are not checking GPA, you are looking for relatable experience, ability to complete classes and truth on the resume. Sans transcripts, inquire about extracurricular activities and leadership roles that might be relevant or show responsibility. Look for experience that shows responsibility.
Background Screening
Running a thorough background screen through a reputable employment screening company should be completed before any nanny or sitter begins. Look for an accredited NAPBS (National Association of Professional Background Screeners), licensed employment screening company. Typically, speedy online background screens are not thorough enough to provide the detailed data a parent would desire for this important role. Verification of name, address, social security number, as well as thorough screening through the national criminal and national sex offender registry should all be a part of minimal screening. Additionally, a Motor Vehicle Screening if the candidate will be driving is recommended. Drug screening is always suggested for families with infants and young children.
Job Boards vs Agencies
Sites such as Care.com and SitterCity.com are technology based job boards. The caregivers on the sites are not employed by these tech sites and they do not vet, train or manage those caregivers. It simply is a site that gathers self-proclaimed nannies and sitters.
College Nannies + Sitters uses industry leading background screening through an accredited NAPBS company, and every nanny and sitter presented by the agency is trained by, as well as employed by the agency. Parents can rest assured if using this type of full-service agency knowing that every caregiver is vetted and in good standing.
Regardless of which route you choose to take in finding care for your family, taking the time to understand the options, and then be assured the caregiver is safe, reliable and thoroughly screened is a must.
College Nannies + Sitters can be reached at 323-645-7000 or collegesitters.com
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