Nanny Criminal Record Checks in Canada

One of the most common questions families have when they hire a nanny/caregiver for their home is how to complete a criminal record check.

When interviewing a nanny/caregiver, you want to ensure that she has, or is willing to obtain, a criminal record check. This will provide you with a record of a person's criminal history, if any. This is usually used by a family to establish whether a nanny has integrity and is fit to be left in charge of the home and/or children or not. Your local police service will conduct an electronic search of the CPIC database on the person requested to check for a criminal record. The inofrmation produced will provide a list of criminal offenses ranging from traffic violations to more serious convictions. If the individual is caring for children, adults with special needs, or elderly individuals, extra screening can be done in what is called the "vulnerable sector". The report will specify if the caregiver has had any service under the Mental Health Act.

If your potential caregiver doesn't have a current criminal record check available, contact your local police department to determine how your jurisdiction handles this request. The wait time could be anywhere from 24-hours to a few weeks. Some regions allow a signed consent to disclosure so someone else can obtain a check on another individual, but generally the individual being checked must request it. In most situations, there is a cost for this service, usually ranging from $25-$75; it's a nice gesture for the family to offer to pay for the cost of obtaining the report. Your local police department can provide you with all of the information you'd need to know about this.

Families should not feel awkward or bad about making this request of their potential caregiver. If the caregiver is not willing to provide the results to you, there is likely something they're trying to hide something from you, and it is unwise to hire them.

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