A Guide to Nanny Background Checks

If you're willing to spend 30 minutes flipping through fashion magazines to find the perfect hair style, or an hour online researching which minivan has the best crash-test rating, you should be able to spend at least that amount of time interviewing references and asking tough questions until you feel comfortable inviting a relative stranger into your home each day.

If you're not confident enough to ask someone face-to-face, "Have you ever bounced a check?" or "What three things do children do that aggravate you?" then you need to find a friend or relative who will do it for you; preferably someone who's either interviewed nannies in the past, or someone who manages a large number of employees and frequently interviews job applicants. You want someone who will recognize red flags and has no qualms about digging deeper until a question is answered. If you think that it's rude to ask about someone's credit history or driving record, think again. Any childcare worker worth their salt has nothing to hide and will gladly offer up any information you require. One of the hallmarks of a solid parent/nanny relationship is open communication, so it's best to start things off on the right foot.