Background check website?

[janey99]

Does anyone know a thorough and reputable online background check site. For checking nanny/babysitter background.

Thanks!

Jane

[Sierra]

Are you in the U.S.? What state are you in? What states has your potential nanny/babysitter lived in?

The online sites sometimes charge you for stuff the state actually will give for free or low cost. Also, different states vary in terms of what kind of information come up in the background checks, and some have laws about how that information can be used in hiring decisions (though I think that impacts bigger organizations differently than "household help" type situations).

[janey99]

Thanks for your post Sierra! I was actually coming back to this thread to post some info that might help someone else - so many people looked at this thread with no replies that I thought there might be a vacuum of information out there for those of us that could use some help in this area.

I finally asked the HR lawyer at my office, who is a mom as well, who she uses, and she recommended

childcarebackground.com

I just signed up and submitted my first choice candidate's info. If others are interested, I can post my impressions of the report I get and their service generally.

Have a good night all!

Jane

[steph66]

I know this  is an older post but was just wondering if you could post your experience with this site? what was the price if you also don't mind me asking and what all did it include in the report? I'm heading back to school this fall....

[janey99]

I did use this company and was very happy with them.  My candidate signed a release, filled out a form with her details and provided a photocopy of her DL, and the company returned a very comprehensive report that was about 30 pages long, with criminal/sexoffender screens for every state and federal, credit reports, driving records and residence history.  I can't recall the exact price, but I think it was around $200.  It took about 5 days.

I will say, however, that a background report is only good if the person has been caught DOING SOMETHING. We ended up terminating that nanny because we determined she was doing a number of things, including things potentially harmful to our son.  I mean, I'm sure we all intellectually realize the reality of being a good person vs never being caught being a bad person, but my experience drove that idea home for me.

No matter what a background check says, trust your gut!

Jane