Children are our most precious resource; at one time or another, all parents must leave their charges in someone else’s hands. There are many child care options to choose from, from nannies to an in-home facility, to a professionally run day care center with many employees.
Everyone has seen the “horror stories” on the news about inadequate, neglectful, even violent caregivers; it is every parent’s responsibility to seek a background check on persons to whom they entrust their children. It is also every day care owner’s responsibility to perform checks on potential employees, and the owner herself may expect to be checked for licensing purposes.
Background checks for child care providers are notoriously thorough, which helps provide peace of mind for anxious parents. Any kind of criminal record will show up, and anyone who wishes to work with children should be aware that this kind of history will usually exclude him or her from this line of work.
Child molestation charges need to be specifically addressed, as this is a main concern today. On the flip side of this, if an applicant or worker has been falsely accused of having a criminal history, a check can help to exonerate him or her.
Here is a brief overview of the kind of information that is specifically checked for child care workers:
– Name: It is important to know whether a provider has ever been known by any other name other than the one he or she goes by. A county criminal search will also determine if a person has been accused of or convicted of a sexual offense.
– Financial information: If a provider has been sued by former child care customers, this kind of data will appear during a check, as will any issues with past bankruptcies.
– Education: Parents need to be confident that their provider has the background he or she claims to have. A check will confirm high school or college degrees.
– Employment history: Social Security records allow a professional to check on a person’s job status and history. Past employment verification is essential to ensure that a child is in good hands.
– Address: Present and former addresses will be verified to further confirm the identity and honesty of the caregiver.
– Driving history: Many caregivers are in charge of transporting children to school or other activities. Parents have a right to know of any alarming facts contained in a provider’s driving record.
When a professional background check is performed on a child caregiver, parents can be more confident that their little one is in the care of someone whom they can trust. Checks protect everyone: parents, children, employers, and employees.
For the most thorough care regarding employment verification and other background check services, contact Triad Consultants (http://triadcon.com/).