How Well Do You Know Your Nanny or Babysitter?

Babysitter and nanny checks can help find the right caregiver for a child.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 30, 2006 -- When hiring a nanny, au pair, babysitter, tutor, or child caregiver of any kind, parents need to check candidates carefully and thoroughly. The news is full of stories of children who have been abused, hurt, and even killed through the recklessness or instability of the adult who was entrusted to care for them.

Just this week in Anderson County, Texas a nanny plead guilty to intentionally causing bodily injury to a three-year-old child. Cheryl Prater who was described by the child's mother as "very sweet, very innocent, and very dependable" was caught on tape slapping the child for not eating her ravioli and spanking her for not closing her eyes.

Sadly, behind each of these headlines is a real-life tragedy.

Parents who rely on someone other than a family member to care for their children – whether for weeks or just a few hours, are starting to run thorough nanny checks or babysitter checks.

Here’s what experts recommend including in a nanny check:

1) References. This means more than glancing at the names a caregiver has printed on their resume. Parents should call each reference and ask them very specific questions: How long have you known this person? How did you find this caregiver? Can you give some specific examples of what the caregiver did right? Can you give an example of something you were unpleased with? How long did this person care for your child or children? Would you hire this person again? Why do you no longer hire this person (if this is the case)? Caregivers can ask friends and acquaintances to act as references and some people will give positive references simply because they do not know someone well. Parents should make sure that they are dealing with someone who knows the applicant well enough to judge and can provide them with specific reasons to hire this person.

2) Driving records. Having a private investigator run a nanny background check or babysitter public records search may seem extreme, but it is actually a surprisingly affordable way to make sure trust is not badly misplaced. Making sure that a babysitter or nanny does not have DUI convictions, reckless driving incidents, or a string of accidents is crucial if a child’s caregiver will be driving with children.

3) Credit Checks. A big part of many babysitter checks and nanny checks includes credit checks. This is simply because credit is a good measure of overall responsibility. If someone is responsible with their financial responsibilities, they are more likely to be mature and responsible with their jobs.

4) Criminal Records. Almost all babysitter and nanny checks include criminal records checks. If a caregiver has a history of sexual assault or a criminal record, a parent will certainly want to know that before you hire them.

5) Experience. Again, when references are called, parents should confirm how long their potential nanny or au pair has worked in the field. While experience is not everything, it is more likely to create a caregiver who can cope with most situations, which is crucial if they will be entrusted with children.

6) Skills. Find out what specific skills (and related experience) a babysitter or nanny has. If they have acted as a tutor or have worked with special needs children, for example, these skills may translate to a higher level of care.

7) Child Reaction. A crucial nanny check and babysitter check that many parents overlook is the child reaction. Does the child actually like their nanny or babysitter? If not, there could be something going on that a parent does not know about. Parents should be especially careful about checking the reactions of children who are too young to talk. While it is normal for children to not want their parents to leave them with a stranger, any child who is not comfortable with their caregiver is not going to be on their best behavior.

8) Education. Education requirements for au pairs and nannies do not have to be stellar, but someone who has an emergency course, babysitting course, or child care course from a reputable source will at least be able to deal with common problems and emergencies – something that can keep children safe and can offer parents some peace of mind.

It may be unfair to expect the perfect child caregiver, nanny, or babysitter, but many parents believe they owe it to their family to find the best person to take care of their children while away. That means running a careful nanny or babysitter check – or leaving that check to professional investigators – so parents can make an informed hiring decision.

If parents do not have the time to check out applicants on their own, looking to the PInow.com Investigator Directory (http://www.pinow.com/) to find a local, qualified investigator who can run a nanny investigation or babysitter investigations is a convenient option. It could be the most important choice a parent makes.

Visit http://www.pinow.com/investigations/background/ for more information on background checks.

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Visit PInow.com to find investigators who can help with all your investigation needs.

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