Nanny agencies
How to Check a Nanny's References the Right Way
A reference is only worth as much as how you check it. Ask for two or three childcare-related references, contact each one directly using a number you find independently, speak by phone or video rather than trusting a letter, and ask open questions with specific examples.
A reference is only worth as much as how you check it. Ask for at least two or three childcare-related references, then contact each one directly using a phone number or email you find independently, not the contact the candidate supplied. Speak to them by phone or video rather than relying on a written letter, ask open questions with specific examples, and check more than one even if the first is glowing. Written letters are easy to fabricate, so a real conversation is the check.
Why the method matters more than the number
Collecting three references means little if you never speak to them, or if you call a number the candidate handed you. The value is in the conversation: a genuine former employer will usually talk freely, and the way they answer tells you as much as what they say. That's why the small details, finding the contact yourself and talking rather than reading, are the whole point.
A real check vs a rubber stamp
| Approach | Verified as real? | Can you probe? | Fabrication risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct call to an independently-found reference | Yes | Yes | Low |
| A written letter the candidate supplied | No | No | High |
How to check a reference
- Ask for the right references: at least two or three tied to childcare, including recent employers.
- Find the contact yourself. Use a number or email you verify independently, not the one the candidate gave you.
- Talk, don't just read. A phone or video call beats a letter, which is easy to fake.
- Prepare questions that map to the real duties, and ask for specific examples.
- Listen for hesitation. Heavily qualified praise, or a refusal to answer a direct question, is a signal.
- Check more than one, even after a great first call, and keep a short record of each conversation.
Where doconvoy fits
The conversation is yours to have, but the collection around it can be secure. Use doconvoy to gather the reference contact details and any written references as part of one encrypted vetting request, kept isolated per candidate, so you're not chasing them over email. doconvoy doesn't make the calls or verify anyone's identity. It keeps the documents and details organized and private while you do the checking.
Collect reference details and documents securely, isolated per candidate.
Gather references in one requestRelated: How to build a nanny vetting checklist · How to collect nanny vetting documents securely · Secure vetting document collection · Secure Requests
Common questions
How many references should a nanny provide?
Ask for at least two or three references that relate directly to childcare, ideally recent employers with similar needs. Check more than one even if the first is glowing.
Is a written reference letter enough?
No. Written letters are easy to fabricate, so they shouldn't substitute for a conversation. Speak to the reference by phone or video, using a contact you find independently rather than the one the candidate supplied.
What's the difference between a reference check and a background check?
A reference check is a conversation about past performance. A background check looks at records. Both belong in vetting, and they aren't interchangeable.