Hiring a full-time nanny means welcoming someone into your home for 40+ hours per week—which means thorough vetting is non-negotiable. Running your own background check gives you control, transparency, and often costs less than relying entirely on agency screening. Here's how to do it properly.
Why You Can't Skip This Step
Full-time nannies have unsupervised access to your children, home, and daily routines. A criminal record, history of violence, or fraud conviction should be deal-breakers. Agency-placed nannies are vetted, but independent candidates and referrals require your direct investigation. Even if a candidate seems perfect on paper, a background check is your safeguard.
Start With What You Can Do for Free
Before spending money, gather basic information yourself:
- Google the name. Search their full name in quotes plus relevant cities they've lived in. Look for lawsuits, news articles, or social media that contradicts their story.
- Call previous employers directly. Don't rely on references they provide—verify employment dates, responsibilities, and reason for departure. Ask specific questions about punctuality, reliability, and how they handled conflicts.
- Request professional references separately. Former parents who employed them are gold. Ask about their experience with the nanny's approach to discipline, safety awareness, and communication style.
- Check LinkedIn. Verify job history and education claims. Inconsistencies between their resume and LinkedIn are red flags.
Use Affordable Online Background Check Services
If the initial screening looks promising, invest in a professional background check. Expect to pay $20–$60 depending on the service and what you're checking:
Criminal Records Search ($20–$30) Services like Checkr, GoodHire, or Instant Checkup pull felony and misdemeanor records from county and state databases. This typically takes 1–3 business days. Focus on violent crimes, theft, drug convictions, and anything child-related.
Sex Offender Registry Check ($15–$25) The National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) is free, but paid services like SafeHome or CriminalSearch search multiple states simultaneously—valuable if your candidate has moved around. You can manually check your state's registry for free; this is non-negotiable.
Motor Vehicle Records ($20–$30) If your nanny will drive your kids, check for DUIs, reckless driving citations, or suspended licenses. Request this directly from your state's DMV or through a bundled background service.
Court Records and Civil Judgments ($25–$50) Some services bundle this, others charge separately. You're looking for patterns of financial irresponsibility or disputes that suggest instability.
Consider a More Comprehensive Package
Some companies offer bundled checks for $50–$100 that combine criminal, sex offender, court, and driving records across multiple states. Services like Truthfinder, Instant Checkup, or GoodHire are popular for nanny vetting. These are faster than ordering each report separately and give you a complete picture.
What Red Flags to Actually Act On
A single speeding ticket isn't disqualifying. A 10-year-old misdemeanor with no pattern might be forgiven if the candidate explains it honestly. However, stop immediately if you find:
- Any violent crime conviction or arrest (even if not convicted)
- Sexual offense history of any kind
- Child endangerment or abuse charges
- Multiple fraud or theft convictions
- Current domestic violence protective orders
- Active warrants
Ask Them About Findings—Before You Reject
If something questionable appears, give the candidate a chance to explain before assuming the worst. Names are common, court records can be misread, and records sometimes contain errors. Ask them directly: "A criminal record under your name appeared in [state]. Can you explain?" Their response matters as much as the record itself.
Document Everything
Keep copies of background check results, reference call notes, and any correspondence with the candidate. If issues arise later, documentation protects you legally and helps with reference calls for future families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far back should a background check go? Most services check 7–10 years by default, which is standard. Anything older typically requires a separate request and usually isn't necessary unless you're worried about a pattern.
Q: Can I require a nanny to pay for her own background check? Some families ask candidates to cover the cost ($30–$50), which filters serious applicants from tire-kickers—but it can also deter strong candidates. Consider splitting the cost or covering it to avoid losing someone great.
Q: What if I find nothing concerning but still feel uneasy? Trust your gut. A clean background check doesn't guarantee a good fit. Chemistry with your family, communication style, and caregiving philosophy matter equally. If something feels off, keep interviewing.
Use Mercoly to compare vetted full-time nanny providers in your area and cross-reference candidates you find independently.