Leaving your child with a babysitter for the first time can be scary. Even when you have the babysitter’s personal information, referrals from family members, and driver’s license number, it can be helpful to have public records that will show you criminal histories, arrest records, and other sensitive information. If you’d like to leave your child with a new sitter but aren’t sure you’re comfortable, read on to find out how to ensure your child’s safety while you’re away.
Using People Searches
The easiest and most convenient way to find out all you’ll need to know about a potential babysitter is to run a background check online with Go Look Up and People Search. People Search is an online tool designed to provide you with accurate and unbiased information about the people in your life that is difficult to uncover using traditional methods. A search like this will show you any criminal arrests, criminal records, and other sensitive information that might be important to know before leaving your child with a new sitter.
While some people only hire sitters from professional agencies that do background checks, those sitters are much more expensive. In using a tool like a people searcher, you’ll not only save money but give yourself peace of mind. Let’s face it, while it’s easy to ask for superficial things like an email address or phone number, it can be more uncomfortable to ask for sensitive details about a person’s history. Even if you are willing to ask, there’s no way to know for sure that they are telling you the truth. In using a background check tool, you’ll be sure you have the facts before making that hire.
Scoping Social Media
One of the great benefits of social media is the number of details you can learn about a person. A background check will include any known social handles you might want to look further into. By checking someone’s personal social accounts, you’ll be able to see what they’re interested in and if they have certain views and ideas you’re comfortable with being around your child. You’ll also be able to see how they treat other people and represent themselves.
Major social media platforms will afford you the opportunity to learn a lot about your potential sitter when it comes to their overall lifestyle, too. While those college party pictures might not bother you, an excess of partying or inappropriate language, or substance abuse could be a red flag. Taking the time to skim a person’s social handles could be a great way to know for sure if a sitter is a good match for you and your family.
Other Safety Steps
Even after you’ve used a background check and checked into a person’s online activity, it can be a good idea to set up cameras in your home or make your first trip away from home short and sweet. While it takes time to build trust, things like giving older children access to a phone while you’re gone can be a good way to make sure you don’t have trouble with your babysitter when you’re not at home. As you continue to use the sitter, you can always remove your monitoring systems based on the trust they’ve earned.
At the end of the day, odds are that you’ll feel better after an extensive background check where you can screen for things like sex offenders and people with criminal records before leaving your child in their care. In taking the time to do your research ahead, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself while you’re away from your child.
