Background Checks

Because our goal at Nannies from the Heart is to give you peace of mind, all of our nannies are thoroughly screened and investigated in a four-step process.

Review of initial application
Interview and assessments
Reference checks
Background Checks

Review of Initial Application

Typically, Nannies from the Heart receives more than 20 employment inquiries from potential nannies a week. On average, only 7 of those 20 applicants are called in for an interview and further screening. We require a minimum of one year of child care experience, although most of our nannies have much more!

Interview and Assessments

Each nanny is interviewed by Rebecca D’Amico, President and Placement Coordinator. As a mother of two young children and a former nanny herself, Rebecca knows what to look for. She searches for genuine people who have a natural ability with children and families. Rebecca prides herself in being able to recognize those candidates that have an instinctive yearning to love, cuddle, teach and play. Each applicant also takes a personality assessment and answers numerous “What if..” questions in written form.

Reference Checks

NH staff verifies previous employment through personal phone calls to each reference. Topics of conversation include the candidate’s punctuality, their quality of work, as well as their attitude and many other important issues that would determine if the candidate meets our standards. If it was a child care/nanny position, we discuss in great detail the candidate’s interactions with children.

We also perform personal reference checks. These checks help us to develop a clear picture of the candidate’s character by chatting with people who have known them for many years.

Most reference checks are done by telephone, in a professional, yet candid manner. Detailed notes from each phone call are taken and kept in the candidate’s file. These notes are always available to the families for review. With the increased popularity of email and the "always available" website, we have begun to collect many references online. These references are verified via email or phone. These online references ask the same questions as we would in a phone call, and give references the opportunity to contribute no matter what time of day it is.

Background Investigation

Each nanny candidate is fingerprinted and obtains a criminal check through the Department of Public Safety. Furthermore, Nannies from the Heart employs a local private investigation company with over 15 years experience, to run an extensive background check on each candidate. Applicants are screened for any reported felony and misdemeanor convictions on record within the past seven years, the maximum allowed by federal law. County, state and national records (by county lived in) are checked, including the sex offender database. The investigators verify the candidate’s social security number and obtain a record of previous addresses to compare with the candidate’s application. We also run a driving record. Families may request other inquiries such as credit checks, drug tests and HIV screens.

Any questions about the background check process may be directed to admin@nanniesfromtheheart.com or by phone at 512-302-1998.