How to check a nanny or sitter
Updated October 25, 2026
Short answer
A solid check of a nanny or sitter has five parts: a criminal background check run by a consumer reporting agency with the caregiver's written FCRA consent, ID verification, at least two references you call yourself, a current CPR and first aid certificate, and a driving record if they will drive your kids. In California you can also ask whether they are on TrustLine, the state's fingerprint-based registry for in-home caregivers, and search the Megan's Law registry for free.
The checklist
| Check | Who runs it | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal background | A consumer reporting agency, with FCRA disclosure and consent | The date it was run; renew yearly |
| ID | An ID verification service | Name matches the person you meet |
| References | You | Two or more recent families, called, not emailed |
| CPR and first aid | The certifying body | Name and an expiry date in the future |
| Driving record | A consumer reporting agency | Only if they will drive your kids |
| TrustLine (California) | CA DOJ and FBI fingerprints | Registered status for in-home caregivers |
Why consent and the FCRA matter
When you hire someone and use a background report from a consumer reporting agency, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires a clear written disclosure and the person's written consent first. If something in the report leads you not to hire, you must give them a copy and a chance to dispute before you decide. California's own law (ICRAA) adds its own notice rules.
On Nanny, caregivers order their own check through Checkr after the FCRA disclosure and consent, and Checkr handles any dispute directly with them. Parents see Cleared on with the date, never the report itself, and an expired check stops showing.
Questions for references
- How long did they care for your kids, and how old were the kids?
- Were they on time, and how did they handle a late cancellation or a sick day?
- Tell me about a hard moment, like a fall, a tantrum or a fever. What did they do?
- Did you ever have a concern about safety or honesty?
- Would you hire them again?
Then do a paid trial
No check replaces seeing someone with your kids. Book a short paid trial shift while you are home or nearby. On Nanny, a trial is one tap, you are charged only after the shift, and you can watch arrival, meals, naps and photos as they happen.
Questions
Not a consumer report for hiring. The FCRA requires a written disclosure and the person's written consent before you get a background report from a consumer reporting agency to decide whether to hire them. Public tools like the Megan's Law site are free and need no consent.
TrustLine is California's registry of in-home child care providers who have cleared fingerprint checks against California Department of Justice records and the FBI. Parents can ask a nanny whether they are registered and confirm it with TrustLine.
Once a year is a good standard. On Nanny, background check badges renew every year, and an expired check stops showing on the profile.
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