The purpose of a childcare background check is to ensure that parents who pick daycare centers for their kids can be 100% sure that their child is safe in his surroundings and with the people that run it. The background checks are very thorough, and will not miss anything, so if you have any criminal records they will be noticed. This can go against you when planning on working with children.
Significance of Childcare Background Checks
Childcare background checks have always been important for those hiring individuals to work specifically with children. But, the recent rise in child-related crimes in the past decade has made this type of check even more significant, not only to people hiring childcare workers, but for anyone that will be providing care for a child in any way. This includes volunteers working with children in a public daycare center, church daycare center, home daycare center, and even for babysitters in some cases. Parents have become much more protective over their children, and with good cause.
Function of Childcare Background Checks
The function of childcare background checks is obvious. A parent needs to know that the person looking after her child is free from a criminal record, and especially child molestation charges. It is just another step that provides peace of mind for a parent. While the check is not the only bit of information that deems a person suitable to work with children, it is a necessary piece to the puzzle.
Another function of a background check is to protect the person being checked. For example, if a person is falsely accused of a crime, and she cannot convince others of this fact, a check can clear her name. She then has proof that she is suitable to work with children, as far as this background check goes. Of course, other measures have to be taken before she can work with children.
What You Can Expect to be Checked
Here is a brief overview of what you can expect to be looked at during a childcare background check. The entire check can take anywhere from 3 to 10 days to complete.
Checking Your Name
Among the searches that will be performed is to a person's name. You can expect to go through thorough checks on the name you provide to the authorities, as well as to see if you have been known by any other name. The purpose of this is to check whether there have been any criminal activities within those other names, even if your given name is clear. A professional will also perform a county criminal search against your name(s) to check if you are or have ever been accused of being a sexual offender.
Checking Your Driving History
A check may also delve into your driving history to make sure that you have no driving offenses. This will be more so the case if you will be in charge of transporting children anywhere.
Checking Your Financial Status
You will also undergo thorough monetary checks, including bankruptcy proceedings, and also to see whether or not you have been sued by any former clients you may have provided child care for in the past. This is mainly for the benefit of parents to whom you will be providing daycare for.
Checking Your Education
Your schooling will be looked at, not only to check for a high school diploma or college degrees you have earned, but also to check your attendance records to make sure you were prompt, and that you turned up for school as expected.
Checking Your Address and Employment Status
Your current address and former addresses will be searched to confirm your residence. Your Social Security number will be verified, as well. This gives authorities a complete look into your employment status since obtaining your card.
Various districts will perform different childcare background checks dependent on the rules and regulations based on your locale. There are usually no big delays in checks that are clear and free, but delays can occur if problems are found. You will be contacted either way by your local authorities, as to your background check outcome.
Don't Take it Personally
Do not be alarmed, if you are asked permission to perform a background check by an employer or parent. It has become a very effective way to assure proper childcare, and hundreds of these checks are performed each day in the U.S. If you are honest and hard-working, you should have no problems with these checks. In fact, if you have a clean record, you can be proud of your achievements, and feel good that you can present yourself as an upstanding citizen.
As you can see, childcare background checks have become quite important in our society. It is a normal process in most daycare centers. They help protect everyone all the way around.
Denise Oliveri - Denise has been writing for Suite101 for many years, and enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with readers. Her main occupation at ...
