ATTENTION CANDIDATES!

Family members who are advertising their jobs at 4nannies.com have purchased access to an individual criminal record check. This means if you find a family job at 4nannies.com you should expect that the family will require that you submit to this pre-employment screening. The family is bringing you into their home to work with young children or elderly/disabled adults and it is both their right and duty to thoroughly investigate your background.

What will the family be asking? Families will carefully interview any candidates they consider. They are advised to request that you provide references - either previous employers or other UNRELATED adults (often teachers or clergy). Your references will be asked questions about you to assess your suitability for nanny or other household employment. The family will also need you to complete the  Candidate Records Release Form, legally authorizing them to check your criminal and driving records.

What should I do? First, you should only provide your references to families whose job you are SERIOUSLY considering taking. Your references generally don't mind talking to a few people about you - don't make it too taxing on them. Similarly only provide the family with a completed  Candidate Records Release Form when you have come to agreement on all terms of employment - start date, duties, pay rate (consider taxes), and benefits. This document contains your Social Security Number and your date of birth. Protect yourself from identity theft.

What kind of things are checked? A family has many avenues they can pursue. All checks start with a Social Security Number trace. This let's the family know that you HAVE a valid SSN, any names you have used with that SSN (maiden names, variations, etc.) and your addresses over the last 7 years. Families will also have an in-court criminal record search done. Families have the option to check a National Sex Offender Registry, a national database of criminal records and to check your driving record. Families occasionally request blood/urine screening for infectious disease and drug use. These medical screenings are not available via 4nannies.com and should be done at the employer's expense.

What are my rights? The 4nannies.com background checking process is fully FCRA compliant. The FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) protects you an a number of ways.  A Summary of Rights is found here. In general, a nanny who balks at a legitimate pre-employment background check can expect to have the job offer rescinded.

Communication remains you most important tool. If you have a question of a family, ask it. If you are uncomfortable, ask more questions to gather more information. If you have a concern about your record - a speeding violation for example - you are better served to tell the family about it when you provide them the release. Your honesty in opening up this level of communication will be appreciated and you have the opportunity to provide important information to the family so they understand any circumstances. Don't wait for bad news to catch up with you.

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 Related Link: Nanny FAQ
 Related Link: Nanny Candidate Tool Kit