The Complete Guide to Nanny Background Checks: Everything Parents Need to Know

Published: May 8, 2025

Alicia Garibaldi

You've found a nanny who seems perfect—great personality, glowing references, all the right qualities. So, what’s next? For extra peace of mind, some families choose to run a background check before making it official. It’s not required, but it can help you feel even more confident in your decision.

This guide will explain what background checks can include, when they’re worth considering, and how they can add an extra layer of reassurance as you welcome someone new into your home.

[TOC]Reasons to consider running a background check 

A clean background check will help you feel even more confident about your decision to hire your nanny.

• Peace-of-Mind: You may already have a strong sense of your nanny’s character from interviews and references. A background check adds another layer of reassurance—helping you verify important details and build trust from the outset.

• Legal Awareness and Best Practices: While most states don’t require private families to run background checks, some do impose rules in specific cases—such as when care is publicly funded or facilitated through an agency. Staying informed about your state’s expectations helps you avoid potential legal or financial risks.

• Reducing Risk: Background checks can reveal red flags—such as criminal history or past driving violations—that may not come up in conversation. This allows you to make more informed hiring decisions and protect your family from preventable issues.

• Laying the Foundation for Trust:  Being upfront about running a background check shows that you’re serious about creating a safe, respectful working relationship. It signals a culture of transparency and helps set clear expectations from the beginning.

[TOC]How common are nanny background checks?

While there are no official statistics on the prevalence of nanny background checks, most nanny agencies do require background checks. Some examples:

• The Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) requires all member agencies to conduct background checks.

• The International Nanny Association mandates criminal background screenings.

[TOC]Nanny background check best practices

A nanny background check gives you peace of mind by helping ensure your children are in the best possible hands. It’s not just about screening — it’s about setting the stage for a trusting, successful working relationship. 

Here are some best practices and documents to consider to make the process smooth, positive, and transparent for everyone involved.

How to discuss a background check with your nanny candidate 

The conversation can be as simple as: "We're excited about moving forward! As part of our standard hiring process, we run background checks for all candidates. I hope you understand!” Since household employment laws vary by state, a good resource to lean on is the National Background Check Program (NBCP), which provides guidance on best practices for childcare hiring. 

What to include in a background check

Here’s a helpful (but not comprehensive!) checklist.

• Identity Verification (SSN Trace)

• Criminal History (National + County)

• Sex Offender Registry

• Driving Records (if applicable)

• Employment History

• Reference Verification (These can usually be done on your own, along with going over employment history with your nanny)

• Civil Records Check (lawsuits, bankruptcies, etc.)

State-specific considerations for nanny background checks

Background check laws vary significantly by state, and it’s essential to understand the rules in your area to stay compliant and protect both your family and caregiver. For example, California has strict requirements for employer background checks under the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA), which includes disclosure and obtaining written consent. New York also has specific protections for domestic workers under its Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights.

To avoid legal pitfalls and ensure you’re following best practices, check your state’s labor and privacy laws before running a background check. A great resource is the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) or your state’s Department of Labor website, where you can find up-to-date guidance on employment screening.

[TOC]How much does a nanny background check cost?

Prices for background checks can vary widely depending on your location and how detailed the screening is. Typically, you’ll need the candidate’s full name, date of birth, and written consent to run a background check. But again, doing some state-specific due diligence upfront will help clarify what’s required on your end.

Basic checks covering criminal history, driving records, and identity verification can start around $15–$30. In many areas, your local police department can also run a basic background check for a similar cost. There are also a plethora of online services like Checkr, GoodHire, and Sterling that offer more comprehensive packages, including employment and education verification, credit history, and civil records. Most prices start around $30–$80, depending on the depth of the report you choose for your family.

The best part? These online platforms can save you hours of administrative time and help ensure the screening process is thorough and legally compliant — especially valuable when word-of-mouth recommendations aren’t available, or you’re hiring someone new to work with your family.

[TOC]How to run a background check (without making it awkward)

Let’s face it—asking for a background check can feel uncomfortable. But don’t worry—there are some solid ways to keep it as professional as possible. 

1. Get Your Nanny’s Consent: Obtain written permission from your nanny and talk to them before doing anything. This builds solid trust and transparency from the start.

2. Choose Verification Services: Do your homework and select a reputable background check provider so you can emphasize to your nanny how easy and seamless this final step will be. You can consider going DIY through a background check software or hiring an agency to run everything for you. In either case, make sure you clearly understand the cost breakdown.

3. Timeline Expectations: Most checks take 3-10 business days to complete.
   This can be a tense time, so always communicate where you are in the process with your nanny.

[TOC]Understanding background check results

The last step is understanding and interpreting the results. It helps to role-play with your partner depending and evaluate all results carefully. Some items to discuss with your spouse include:

• Red Flags vs. Yellow Flags: When reviewing background check results, it’s important to distinguish between red flags and yellow flags. Red flags are serious issues and typically deal-breakers. For instance, a history of violence or theft, DUI charges if a nanny is driving, or falsified credentials would all qualify. Yellow flags are less severe and might not automatically disqualify a candidate, but should still be discussed openly. Those examples might include traffic tickets, gaps in employment history, or a past financial issue. By assessing which issues truly matter for the role, you can consider whether a long-term working relationship is the right fit and set expectations early with your nanny.

• Legal Considerations: Be aware of anti-discrimination laws and also understand regulations like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which governs how background check information can be used and reported. Avoid making decisions based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, gender, or age. This will help ensure that hiring decisions are based on job-relevant findings and allow the candidate to explain or dispute results if needed. 

• Fair Assessment Guidelines: Preparing how to address findings is key to creating an open, constructive discussion and helps families focus on a thoughtful, structured decision-making process when hiring the right caregiver. In the context of employment, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provide important guardrails to ensure background check results are assessed fairly and without discrimination. 

• Next Steps After Results: Always communicate openly with your candidate about any concerns and how to proceed.

How to discuss background check results with your nanny

In the event that concerns arise from the background check, always remember to address them calmly and professionally with your nanny. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Avoid jumping to conclusions and gather all the facts before having a conversation.

• Use neutral language to frame the conversation, like, “I noticed something on the background check that I wanted to clarify with you.”

• Provide context and explain how the concerns relate to the job. For instance: “Since driving is a part of this role, I wanted to ask about the traffic violation noted on the report.”

• Practice active listening to allow the candidate to explain.

• Stay professional even if the explanation doesn’t alleviate your concern. Take your time to determine the next steps and whether you can work through it together.

• Keep clear documentation of the discussion and any follow-up steps in case you need to refer to those details in the future.

[TOC]Next steps after a nanny background check

You’ve completed the background check and are ready to welcome your nanny into your home! But here’s one more important step: setting them up for legal payroll.

Handling taxes and paperwork on your own can be overwhelming. With Poppins, you don’t have to be overwhelmed with the process. 

Sign up for free and let us manage the compliance details—so you can focus on building a safe, trusting relationship with your new nanny.

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The content of this article is general and informational in nature and may not be appropriate for your specific circumstances. The information is not intended to provide legal or tax advice, and should not be relied upon without consulting with an attorney and/or tax professional.