& How to Get It Right
Hiring a nanny means entrusting someone with your home, your children, and your peace of mind. Welcoming a new person into your home unsupervised is a major responsibility. A background check is the single most important step to protect your family.
Many families and even some agencies assume that a quick online search or a reference call is enough. Unfortunately, this can miss serious red flags. A professional background check verifies identity, criminal history, driving records, and past employment.
A Real Case from Berkeley, California
In 2016, a Berkeley family installed a home camera to keep an eye on their six-month-old son. Their nanny, a woman who had worked for families throughout the Bay Area for nearly a decade, was caught on video violently handling the baby.
The parents immediately contacted police and turned over the footage. The nanny was arrested and charged with felony child abuse. She had been on her way to another childcare job when she was taken into custody.
This case is an example of what can happen when families hire without a professional background check. The nanny had worked for multiple households and no one had discovered her past behavior because no thorough search had ever been done.
This critical missed step can be the difference between safety and harm.
What a Professional Nanny Background Check Includes
A comprehensive background check uses multiple data sources. Each part serves a different purpose and together they give you a clear picture of who you are hiring.
1. Identity and Address Verification
Every search begins with confirming the person’s identity through an SSN trace and address history. This step shows all names and addresses tied to the candidate, often reaching back seven years or more. Those addresses guide where the rest of the searches take place.
2. Nationwide Criminal Database Search
We search across more than 800 databases, including:
- State and national sex offender registries
- Federal and financial sanctions lists (OFAC, OIG, GSA, SAM)
- Court and correctional data from multiple jurisdictions
This wide net catches potential records early and directs deeper investigation where needed. Included in all packages.
3. County Criminal Searches
This is the gold standard of any reliable background check. County courts hold the original criminal records, not all of which appear in national databases. We search every county connected to the candidate’s address history for the past seven years on an unlimited counties basis.
4. Federal Criminal Search
Federal court records reveal serious offenses like child exploitation, trafficking, and fraud that will not appear in local or state databases.
5. Driving Record (Motor Vehicle Report)
If a nanny will be driving your children a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) is an essential part of the screening process. This check pulls records directly from the state Department of Motor Vehicles to verify that the individual has a valid driver’s license and a clean, responsible driving history.
The report includes:
- Current license status and expiration date
- Traffic violations and moving infractions
- At-fault accidents or collision history
- Records of DUI, reckless driving, or license suspensions
- Any restrictions or endorsements on the license
Reviewing an MVR helps ensure that the person transporting your child has demonstrated safe driving habits and follows the law. It’s one of the simplest ways to reduce liability and protect your family on the road.
6. Social Media and Online Screening
Public social media posts can reveal behavior or judgment concerns. This screening reviews publicly available content for indicators such as violence, hate speech, or drug use, without intruding on private accounts. We offer this as a $25 add-on.
7. Professional References
Speaking with past employers provides insight that records cannot. We confirm reliability, communication, and professionalism through structured reference interviews. Three references are included in the Complete Package.
A thorough background check is about doing proper due diligence to protect your kids and home (and pets!). Families deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing they’ve done everything possible to protect their children. A nanny may feel like part of the family, but before that trust is earned, it must be verified. By conducting a complete, professional screening that examines identity, criminal history, driving records, and references you’re safeguarding your home and setting the standard for safety, accountability, and care.
You have the option with Sure Check to have your nanny pay for their own background check as well.