New Recommended Practices for Nanny Background Screening

Oct. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- Until now, there have been no uniform recommended prac­tices for nanny placement agencies regarding the process of obtaining background information on nanny candidates. Since different agencies use different background screening tools and services, it is not uncommon for agencies to obtain a wide array of information about nanny candidates whom they wish to place.

As a result of the different types of background screening tools and services used by nanny placement agencies, there is general confusion among agency owners, parents and nanny candidates as to what a thorough background screening should and does include. While parents and agencies may think that a background screening is thorough, it may or may not include all of the information a parent wants or needs to make an informed decision about hiring a nanny candidate. Similarly, potentially unqualified nanny candidates may be able to secure employment because of an incomplete back­ground screening.

In addition, agency owners must be knowledgeable about the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to be sure they or a back­ground screening service they’ve hired is not violating the law or improperly intruding on a nanny candidate’s privacy while conducting a background investigation.

For these reasons, the International Nanny Association has developed recommended practices for background screenings that nanny agencies or parents may conduct for nanny candi­dates.


RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR THE BACKGROUND SCREENING OF NANNIES


• Identity verification and authentica­tion to ensure that the candidate is using real and accurate information about his or her own identity.

• Employment and educational history verification and verification of ap­plicable credentials and licenses.

• State and county criminal record searches for every jurisdiction where the candidate has worked and lived, using any and all names the candidate has used, for at least the past seven years, depending upon applicable state laws.

• Sex offender registry search for all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam.

• Driving record review.

• Compliance with Fair Credit Report­ing Act (FCRA) and all other appli­cable local, state and federal laws.

• Periodic background screenings on nannies who provide temporary services.

• In addition to these screenings, agencies may wish to consider obtaining a credit report as well as conducting a civil records search to expose lawsuits, liens and judgments.

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International Nanny Association
P.O BOX 1299
Hyannis, MA 02601
(Toll Free) 888.878.1477
713.526.2670
Fax: 508.638.6462

INA, a nonprofit organization, serves as the umbrella organization for the in-home child care industry. INA members include nannies, nanny employers, nanny agencies, educators and industry service providers. Since 1985, INA has worked to professionalize the industry by setting high standards for industry professionals and nanny agencies. INA leverages the expertise of industry professionals from around the globe to help increase awareness about the industry, to develop the professional skills of nannies, and to educate parents about the benefits of hiring a qualified nanny to care for their children.