Selecting a caregiver is definitely an important decision that you should not take lightly. Before hiring, you must first validate her identity and conduct a background check on the babysitter for previous criminal or sexual offenses.
Indeed, a crucial step in selecting your child caregiver is to conduct a background check on the nanny, that is, to validate her criminal history and to verify the absence of sexual offenses on her record. You do that by requesting to see her most recent certificate of good conduct. The time of hire is the only opportunity you have to ensure that your family is in the hands of someone you can trust.
Step 1 of conducting a background check on a babysitter: how to verify the caregiver’s identity?
The first step in conducting a background check on a babysitter is to make sure that the candidate you are going to evaluate is the person she claims to be. Do not hesitate to ask her for two identification documents. Photo IDs issued by the government will ensure not only that the child minder is who she says she is but also she is legally in the country.
Step 2 of conducting a background check on a babysitter: how to verify the caregiver’s criminal record?
After the identity of the candidate is verified, the second step in conducting a background check on a babysitter is to request a Canadian Criminal Record Check. It is a nationwide search of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database that queries police records for convictions for which a pardon has not been granted, for absolute & conditional discharges and for any stays of proceedings, as they appear on CPIC.
In addition, when conducting a background check on a nanny, it is strongly recommended to obtain confirmation of the absence of sexual offenses. This is of course particularly important when selecting a candidate who will be responsible for one or more persons considered as vulnerable (children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities). The search, based on the applicant’s fingerprints will reveal whether the person has been convicted and/or has obtained a pardon for a sexual offense.
It is very important to ask your potential childminder for the most current certificate of good conduct. In fact, it is recommended to request a new certificate as a prerequisite for hire. This can be done at the expense of the nanny or be covered by the family. All the checks can only be requested by the nanny herself. They can be obtained at any police station or using the services of specialized companies. The costs range from 40$ to 100$.
How to conduct a background check on a babysitter with SOSgarde?
SOSgarde facilitates conducting a background check on a babysitter to simplify the search for the perfect caregiver for your children. With SOSgarde, you can purchase the criminal record of any SOSgarde caregiver if the candidate gives explicit consent at the time of registration. If this option is available, a buy button will appear on the caregiver’s profile. The check will be performed by SOSgarde’s partner Sterling Solutions. Moreover, if you have the SOSgarde annual membership, you are entitled to a free background check for a candidate of your choice.
By following these simple steps to background check your nanny, you’ll be able to entrust your home and your children with confidence.