Hiring an au pair brings a stranger into your home for months or years—background checks are non-negotiable, not optional. A thorough screening protects your children and gives you peace of mind before anyone has keys to your house. Here's what you actually need to verify and how to do it properly.
Why Background Checks Matter for Au Pairs
Au pairs live in your home and have unsupervised access to your children during work hours. Unlike nannies hired through local networks, au pairs often come from abroad, making criminal history harder to verify independently. A single missed red flag can create a dangerous situation that's impossible to undo.
Most reputable au pair agencies require background checks as part of their placement process, but parents still need to understand what's being checked and what gaps might exist. Relying solely on an agency's screening without asking detailed questions is a mistake many families make.
What Gets Checked in a Standard Background Screening
A comprehensive au pair background check typically includes:
- Criminal record search (both domestic and international if applicable)
- Reference verification from previous employers or childcare positions
- Educational credentials confirmation
- Driving record (if the au pair will transport your children)
- Health screening or medical clearance
- Visa and immigration status verification
However, the depth of these checks varies significantly. Some agencies do surface-level reference calls, while others conduct thorough multi-country criminal database searches. International checks are particularly inconsistent—records from some countries simply aren't accessible to U.S. screening companies.
Questions to Ask Your Au Pair Agency
Don't assume the agency's background check is comprehensive. Ask these specific questions:
- Are criminal records checked in the au pair's home country and in any countries where they've lived or worked for extended periods?
- What reference verification process is used? (Phone calls are better than email questionnaires.)
- Is a driving record check included, and does it cover violations beyond major accidents?
- How recent is the background check? (Ideally within 6–12 months of placement.)
- Can they provide documentation of what was checked, or just a clearance letter?
- What disqualifying factors do they use? (Get the specific criteria in writing.)
Many agencies won't provide detailed answers to these questions—that's a red flag in itself. Legitimate providers are transparent about their vetting process.
Red Flags and What They Mean
Some findings don't automatically disqualify an au pair, but they warrant serious conversation:
- Gaps in employment history longer than 3–6 months without explanation
- Multiple short-term positions in childcare roles (suggests prior issues)
- References who are difficult to reach or vague in their feedback
- Inconsistencies between resume and reference checks on job dates or responsibilities
A single incident from 10+ years ago may be forgivable; patterns of behavior are not.
Independent Verification You Can Do
Agencies handle the heavy lifting, but you can add layers:
- Video interviews with previous families who employed the au pair as a nanny or caregiver (ask specific behavioral questions, not generic ones)
- Social media review for recent behavior or concerning posts (not invasive stalking, but relevant context)
- Second reference calls yourself (families often speak more candidly to potential employers than to agencies)
- Language verification through a brief conversation in their native language with a native speaker, if language is important to your family
Timeline and Cost Considerations
Most au pair placements take 4–8 weeks from application to arrival. Background checks typically add 2–3 weeks to this timeline. If an agency promises placement in under 3 weeks, ask what corners they're cutting on screening.
There's no "cost" for a background check from the parent's perspective—agencies absorb this as part of their placement fee (typically $6,000–$9,000 total, varying by program length and location). However, a genuinely thorough international background check costs agencies $200–$500 per candidate. If the program feels unusually cheap, the screening depth may be compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I request a second background check after hiring an au pair? Yes—many parents hire a private screening company independently, usually costing $150–$300. This protects you legally and catches anything the agency missed.
Q: What happens if a background check reveals a minor offense the au pair didn't disclose? Honesty matters more than the infraction itself; dishonesty is grounds for immediate dismissal and agency replacement. Ask agencies about their policy on re-placement.
Q: Are background checks from au pair agencies valid in all U.S. states? No—some states have additional requirements for in-home childcare providers. Check your state's specific licensing rules before hire.
Use Mercoly to compare au pair placement agencies side-by-side, including their screening standards and family reviews, so you can hire with confidence.