Want to know more?

• Questions to ask your state child care licensing department about background checks in your child care program:


• Have the caregivers I'm interested in had background checks?



• What does the background check include?
• Fingerprints?
• Child Abuse Registry?
• Employment References?


• Are caregivers screened through state and national databases?



• Is there a system in place to monitor problems that could come up after the original background check?



• How often do the adults need to repeat their background checks?



• How can I review the complaint history and inspection reports for the caregivers I'm interested in?



• What types of convictions would disqualify a person from child care work?

• Questions for a potential caregiver:
• Are volunteers always in the presence of the caregiver?



Note: In states where volunteers are not required to have a background check, another adult should always be present. If the child care program needs a volunteer to work alone with children, then a background check should be conducted.


• May I check references with current and former clients?



• What types of complaints have been registered against your program?



• Were the complaints or violations found to be true?



• How did you correct the problems?


Some states do not require family home providers to be licensed. In this case:

• Ask the family caregiver if they would be willing to have background checks conducted for all adults living in the home, adults substituting for them and adults working with the children while in their care.



• Contact your local police department or your State Bureau of Investigation to find out how you can get a background check conducted. There will be a charge for this service.

For more information on complaints about child care programs see Complaints Section.