I'm planning to hire a nanny for my 3 kids but i'm a bit skeptical after i read this nanny background check article. Who has an idea how much it cost or is this really necessary? Will this really give an assurrance that your kids will be safe with the person you hire? Need some feedback and advice before i hire someone.

Hi, I´m doing the nanny thing here in CH. To my knowledge, no-one has ever done a background check on me. I´ve previouslx been employed through an agency, (the agency interviewed me, I supplied references, still no "background check" tmk). Because I had worked in other countries and, having various other certificates I could ask for chf25 pro hour but the family paid the agency chf50- p/h as well.... rather expensive but if your employer pays for childcare..... Now I´ve found a job privately and could ask a bit more, ie; chf30- p/h, (I don´t though, I have chosen a family I like and am happy to have a bit less pay rather than work for plonkers). You could privately get yourself an au pair or nanny much cheaper, but they are not "checked out" by the agency.
It´s tricky. As a nanny I´m always surprised how quickly some people will hand their kids over to "strangers"

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Shark wisdom: A swimmer in the sea is worth ten on the beach.

Heck to get hired at lots of places in the US as an administrative assistant, you are subject to a criminal background check, not to mention child care workers, so I am frankly surprised to hear these days that nanny agency would not do a criminal background check on their candidates. Personally, I would not give responsibility for caring for my child to someone who had not had a comprehensive background check and if the agency couldn't verify that they had done it, I would do it myself.

In the end you have to ask yourself what matters to you and do what makes you comfortable. Best of luck with your decision and new nanny.

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Thus far you have been adrift in the sheltered harbour of my patience. ~ Cobra Bubbles

It makes me very nervous when I think about leaving my children with someone that I really do not know. Maybe the probability of something bad happening is very low, but the consequences would be catastrophic if the nanny, relative, or caregiver turned out to be a child abuser. I would rather try an instant background check. Some people say they are free and some people say they cost $50. This is what I learned so far.

An instant background check can be conducted via the phone. Depending on the company providing the instant background check, you have the option of phoning or introducing the data online. If the instant background check is done by phone, the person being check can state their name and/or social security number while their employer is present. Otherwise, the employer can make the call themselves. In either case, a worker at the investigation company will do the instant background check by entering the information provided into the company’s database. Depending on the speed of the company’s system, you will get your instant background check results almost immediately.

An instant background check can be done online. A very convenient method of performing an instant background check on somebody is by choosing a professional online background search service, such as BackgroundSearch.com. By doing an instant background check, you will obtain access to information from the public records throughout the country. This type of search is called instant background check because the program will return the information you required in a matter of seconds.

An instant background check is not time consuming. With public record information scattered in databases from as many as 3,142 counties all over the United States, undertaking a thorough background check takes an impressive amount of time. If you do not wish to hire someone to do the footwork or do not have the time and dedication to do it yourself, an instant background check is the solution you need, as it is not as time consuming as other kinds of background searches. A company such as the one mentioned above specializes in gathering information from publicly available databases in the U.S., therefore you can carry out an instant background check without wasting any of your ti

It is often the nanny which provides copies of the Police Check, since this has to be applied for in their home country. Every country is different and it is often difficult for third party agencies outside of the Nannies home country to obtain this information. All nannies / agencies should be able to provide you with the the Police check information plus personal references. If a nanny is unable to provide this information then I wouldn't employ them.

But you would be a stranger to a new family, wouldn't you ?

Very bloody strange let me tell you!

It is always useful to get some information about a potential nanny, but what you are normally interested in is her past performance, so talking to previous employers should be the best way. Providing that they tell the truth, of course.

The bottom line is, however, that you will need to follow your instinct and hire someone that seems to be OK. Once that happens, you will have to trust this person and believe that your children are safe with her.

In my view, if the idea of full background checks and installing nannycams starts popping up when you interview someone, then you do not hire this person. If you have that feeling about everyone you interview, then it is better to consider other childcare options.

Get personal references and speak to people who know the nanny or au pair. Together with a Police check, it is the best that you can do. Saying that it is down to trust and you can never be 100% sure. Use your instinct and give the nanny / au pair a probational period, so you have a get out. Try and talk if possible to the Nannys parents, so that you get their buy in. This is of course not always possible. Also talk to the children when the nanny / au pair has arrived, maybe take a week off to show them the ropes and to guage their suitability.