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• You may direct nanny reference checking inquiries to:
  LDA@EmploymentClinic.com
   

We suggest conducting the following screening and qualification process before checking references.  If the person being considered as a nanny is being referred through an agency, make sure that you conduct an interview with that organization as your first step.  If the organization is local, we suggest that you set up an in-person meeting; otherwise a telephone interview is acceptable.  It is very likely that the agency will require you to fill out an application and provide certain background information.  If possible, try to meet or speak with the Director or agency manager.  If you wish, we will also interview the referring agency to investigate the nanny’s performance record.  The questions we ask will differ from the ones shown below.  Charges are the same as those listed under “pricing” for individual reference verifications.

• We recommend that any in-home care provider be hired through an agency.  Remember the old expression “it is better to be safe than sorry.”  Using an agency removes many of the annoyances, problems, and risks associated with the selection process.  Agencies typically conduct their own interviewing and screening process and perform their own background and reference checks.  You should inquire about what is involved in that process and ask to see the complete file of any candidate you are considering as a nanny.  This file should contain a criminal background check, driver’s license history, medical report, retail credit report, and it should not be over two years old.  If the report is outdated, then ask the agency to update their information for your review – or seek out another agency.

• Even though the agency has their own procedure for verifying references, and has probably provided you with “glowing “ praise about the applicant’s performance, it is absolutely vital that you perform your own reference check on your final candidate(s).  Remember that any agency or third party organization is merely an intermediary to assist you in hiring the right employee.  Ultimately, you are the one responsible for conducting your own due diligence to ensure the quality of the person you hire.

Complete a telephone screening interview with each nanny candidate you are considering.  Telephone interviews can easily eliminate those with whom you are uncomfortable and save much valuable time otherwise wasted in an in-person interview.  It will also serve to give the candidate enough information to determine if they would want to work for your family

Finally, you should conduct an in-person interview.  This should be done in your home so that the candidate will be able to see exactly where they will be performing their duties and meet other members of your family.  All family members should feel comfortable with the person who will be living in your home or spending time caring for your loved ones.  If applicable, encourage other family members to ask questions as well.  This process also gives the applicant a good opportunity to evaluate your family.  If the candidate is unhappy or distressed with their working situation, they will not remain your employee for very long, and you will need to repeat the entire hiring process again.  That is time consuming, expensive, and frustrating.

• The comprehensive nanny reference investigation: $149.95 (See bottom of page for complete pricing information and access to order forms.)

What you can expect from us:

•  We will provide you with a written report highlighting all information gained through our comprehensive reference checking process.  Our reference interviews do not necessarily follow a specific format.  We use many questions that are open-ended and conversational in tone.  We find that this approach creates a greater comfort level for the person being interviewed, and typically generates more thoughtful and comprehensive information.  As in our employment reference investigations, we pay particular attention to manner of speaking and voice quality.  We are extremely thorough in our reference checking investigations.  We want to provide you with sufficient information to make the correct hiring decision.Reference Clinic has over 25 years of experience in performing reference investigations for our clients.  In the case of nanny or caregiver reference checking, we advise the individual from whom you seek a reference that we are conducting a background investigation to determine the quality of the nanny being considered for new employment.  All information you furnish us about your family remains totally confidential.  However, information you provide may impact the type of questions we ask or information we seek from the referral.

• We will also provide you with our comprehensive complimentary guide “The nanny – a hiring guide,” that features valuable information and suggestions to assist you making the best hiring decision and managing the subsequent employee administrative procedures.  This guide includes: information on compensation, benefits, and taxes; features guidelines on the importance and content of an employment agreement; provides you with important guidelines and suggested questions for interviewing nanny candidates; and includes a form to track important family and medical information (allergies, medications, etc.), and important telephone numbers.  No other reference-checking firm provides this free guide.

• For each nanny reference investigation ordered, we will provide an emailed response to any two (2) questions relating to information included in our report.  No other reference-checking firm provides this additional service.  This service must be utilized within one week from the time you receive our reference checking report and is available only by email.

• In most cases your final report will be sent to you by first class U.S. mail within 7 business days, but we guarantee that it will take no longer than 2 weeks from the time we receive your request for service (reporting time is based upon contact accessibility.)  The report will contain the complete documentation of our reference checking efforts, or it will show that the contact(s) you provided were non-responsive to our efforts to speak with them.  We will also include, along with your written report, a copy of the complimentary guide referenced above.

Questions we may ask in our nanny reference investigations:

We focus on the nanny’s experience, personality, style of communication, and personal conduct; as well as his/her relationship with the children, other family members, and professionals within the community.  Our questions typically concentrate in the following areas; however, it is not unusual that the individual being questioned may not be willing to spend the time responding to all of these questions.  Therefore, we will do our very best to gain as much information as possible.  If we sense that the parent is being evasive or that something is wrong, we will interrogate them in more detail.  Examples of questions we may ask:

• Under what circumstances did you meet the nanny?
• How many children did the nanny care for?  How old were they?
• For what length of time did you employ the nanny? Dates of employment?
• Why did the nanny leave your employment, or why is she leaving?
• If the nanny left by her own choice, were you given sufficient notice?
• If you had a need, would you rehire this nanny?  Why or why not?
• Did the nanny live in your home?
• If the nanny commuted, was she dependable and on time?
• How did the nanny interact with other family members?
• Did the nanny seem to have a good relationship with the children’s physician, dentist, or other professionals?
• Describe the nanny’s personality and temperament?
• How did the children get along with their nanny?
• Did the nanny exhibit a good work ethic and moral principals?
• What did you feel were those areas of the job in which the nanny had the most difficulty?
• If the nanny lived with you, what did she do in her spare time?
• Did the nanny smoke?
• Did the nanny drink alcoholic beverages, and how often?
• Are you aware of any drug addiction or any other substance dependency?
• Was the nanny good at planning activities?  
• How did the nanny handle discipline with the children?
• Did the nanny have responsibilities to other family members and how did she handle them?
• What were the nanny’s strongest skills?  Her greatest weaknesses?
• Did the nanny handle your criticism effectively?
• Did the nanny spend an excessive amount of time watching TV or using the telephone?
• Did she deal with any emergency or crisis?  What was its nature and how did she handle it?
• Could you tell me her starting and ending salary?

Direct all inquiries to: LDA@EmploymentClinic.com

PRICING

• Any one nanny reference investigation (family or agency) - $149.95
• Two or more nanny or caregiver reference investigations - $139.95 each

Your reference investigation order will include the following:

• Our comprehensive report sent either by email or first class U.S. mail to your designated address.
• A copy of our comprehensive guide entitled “The nanny – a hiring guide.”
• For each reference investigation conducted, we will provide a free detailed response by email to any 2 questions relating to your reference report.

Optional services and support fees (applies to all reference checking investigations)

The following charges are in addition to all fees quoted above:

• Reports sent by email and 1st class U.S. mail - Included
• Faxed reports - $10.00 per report
• Reports by telephone - not available
• Notarized affidavits - $25.00 per report
• Canadian reference investigation report - $30.00 per report
• Telephone depositions - $200 per hour (1-hour minimum)
• Expert witness testimony or in-person depositions - $1,750 per day, per person attending (one-day minimum) Plus all applicable expenses.

Order Forms & Policies

• By ordering our reference investigation services you agree to all of the policies and stipulations as listed on our Nanny Reference Policies and Order Page