You’re great with kids, and you need to make some cash — naturally, these two facts have led you directly to the babysitting job listings. You’ve perfected your babysitter resume, and maybe you even completed some safety training. You’re ready to start interviewing, but now you may be wondering, “Do I need a background check to babysit?”
Chances are there are no skeletons in your closet, but most families love background checks — and with good reason! Safety is critical for parents hiring a sitter to come into their home and care for their children. A background check serves as one of the key safety measures families can take.
If you’re looking for a babysitting job, here’s what you need to know about the value of background checks and where to get one.
Why do I need a background check to babysit?
Simply put, a background check can help reveal a person’s criminal history. That’s why background checks are often a must-have in the hiring process. Families want that added layer of trust before hiring someone new.
A proactive babysitter can run a background check on themselves and have it available for families to see during the interview process. Having one available for parents may set you apart from other potential sitters, as you’ll appear responsible, prepared and serious about the job. Parents can always ask to run a more up-to-date background check if you allow.
Where do I get a background check?
There are a number of private companies that will run a background check, but look for a background screening company that is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA).
If you’re using an online job site or app, be sure to choose a background screening company that allows you to share the report with a family directly through the company’s website or app. That way, families can trust that the background check is authentic and can clearly see the date it was completed.
To learn more about background checks, visit the Care Safety page.
How are background checks handled if I sign up for Care.com?
Every caregiver who joins the Care.com platform is required to undergo enhanced screening, which includes a criminal background check called CareCheck. When your CareCheck is complete, your profile will display a CareCheck badge, and you will be able to apply for and accept jobs from families on Care.com. Sitters who remain active on the Care.com platform are required to continually meet our safety standards for membership so criminal history will be monitored on an ongoing basis. While Care.com families can see a CareCheck badge to verify that you have gone through the CareCheck process, the CareCheck report details are not made available to families.
Read more about CareCheck:
- What is CareCheck?
- Why is a CareCheck required for caregivers?
- Why can’t I access my account without signing up for a CareCheck?
- Do I have to pay for a CareCheck badge?
In addition to CareCheck, you can also purchase background checks on yourself (or allow families to run additional background checks on you) so that you can share the results with potential employers.
