I find the replies to this post really bizarre. I'm not sure if all the rude replies are the same person or not. Regardless, I think requiring a drug test, credit check, or any other checks would effectively rule these people out. Which I would certainly want to do. None of the people replying so rudely in here are people I would want in my home caring for my children.

As to credit, I have some experience in this area, having sold homes and having dealt with credit regularly. Bad credit can effectively identify character deficits: potential to steal, issues with lack of responsibility, and/or stability. It can also indicate a run of bad luck/misfortune. In the sale of homes, we always ignored medical bills showing up on credit checks. Utility bills were serious red flags, and there needed to not be too many other dings, especially not big ones.

Sure, people who have had a string of misfortunate happenings need opportunities. But they ought not require those opportunities be given them with the most valuable treasure a person could ever have - their children. Or their homes. All our possessions are there as well as private information. No individual owes any other person another shot at life. There are enough opportunities out there. It is highly dysfunctional to act like a person does not have the right to be as discriminating as he/she wants to be when hiring someone for the care of their children. If you want more opportunities in life, I suggest you be a little bit more polite with the hands you're desiring feed you. Learn to handle rejection. We all get rejected in life, and dealing with it gracefully will wear well, I promise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand what does bad credit have to do with her as a nanny. Maybe it applies to her job if she was an investment banker with access to millions. She's working as "help". You need to get over yourself. Most likely any fear that you have about a nanny with bad credit is caused by you thinking you are more than you are.

If a nanny has wrecked her own credit, I don't want her coming into my home and stealing my identity to use my credit.

PP here, most identities are not stolen by people who know the victim. Again, get over yourself.

If your nanny has "wrecked" her credit (or has none), she is likely trying to make an honest living to rebuild or build credit. You are really judgy.

Anonymous wrote:I just don't understand what does bad credit have to do with her as a nanny. Maybe it applies to her job if she was an investment banker with access to millions. She's working as "help". You need to get over yourself. Most likely any fear that you have about a nanny with bad credit is caused by you thinking you are more than you are.

If a nanny has wrecked her own credit, I don't want her coming into my home and stealing my identity to use my credit.

Parents are the ones that should be subject to a credit check. Nannies need to know you won't bounce a check. Unless your nanny is handling your finances you have no need to know her credit. My credit is shot due to medical bills that I'm paying off with my nanny job. That has no bearing on the care I'll give your child and why would I steal from you when I have a job to pay my bills. If she has a criminal background with theft and fraud that would be a reason to fire her but still not require a credit check

I just don't understand what does bad credit have to do with her as a nanny. Maybe it applies to her job if she was an investment banker with access to millions. She's working as "help". You need to get over yourself. Most likely any fear that you have about a nanny with bad credit is caused by you thinking you are more than you are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I said that we reserved the right to do a credit check, background check and drug testing. Our purpose in doing that was so that people who wouldn't pass those wouldn't even bother applying. We DID do a criminal background and credit check and I did ask our final three contenders if they would pass a drug test if they took one that day.

Let me guess. If she had bad credit you wouldn't hire her, thus effectively ensuring she can't turn it around. The thing a person with bad credit needs is a JOB. Think about it.

Then the nanny can go work somewhere other than my home.

arrogance cometh before the fall. The bottom may drop out of your own basket at some point and you'll be holding your breath and hoping for mercy that someone will give you a job. I hope you get what you deserve.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I said that we reserved the right to do a credit check, background check and drug testing. Our purpose in doing that was so that people who wouldn't pass those wouldn't even bother applying. We DID do a criminal background and credit check and I did ask our final three contenders if they would pass a drug test if they took one that day.

Let me guess. If she had bad credit you wouldn't hire her, thus effectively ensuring she can't turn it around. The thing a person with bad credit needs is a JOB. Think about it.

Then the nanny can go work somewhere other than my home.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I said that we reserved the right to do a credit check, background check and drug testing. Our purpose in doing that was so that people who wouldn't pass those wouldn't even bother applying. We DID do a criminal background and credit check and I did ask our final three contenders if they would pass a drug test if they took one that day.

Let me guess. If she had bad credit you wouldn't hire her, thus effectively ensuring she can't turn it around. The thing a person with bad credit needs is a JOB. Think about it.

I smoke weed, never been tested as a nanny or working in daycare

Anonymous wrote:What if your nanny smoked pot with a medical card off hours, or you lived in a state where it was legal or decriminalized? Would you fire her? Just a curious side question. I wonder how many stressed out parents puff a little with kids in the house but would fire the nanny for puffing a bit on her free time.

Now you're just being a pain and dragging this convo on. An employer who smokes isn't going to give a drug test, actually the majority of employers don't give drug tests and if you know you can't pass then don't try for a job that requires one.

Anonymous wrote:What if your nanny smoked pot with a medical card off hours, or you lived in a state where it was legal or decriminalized? Would you fire her? Just a curious side question. I wonder how many stressed out parents puff a little with kids in the house but would fire the nanny for puffing a bit on her free time.

Why or how would I know? I shouldn't know and don't want to know what a nanny does on his/her personal time. If it doesn't affect work performance it's none of my business.

What if your nanny smoked pot with a medical card off hours, or you lived in a state where it was legal or decriminalized? Would you fire her? Just a curious side question. I wonder how many stressed out parents puff a little with kids in the house but would fire the nanny for puffing a bit on her free time.

Are you finding these people on the street?

MB here. I think at some point you have to trust your judgement and hope you would be able to see the signs if a nanny candidate was a frequent user or addict. As PP said, a recreational user probably doesn't use that often and it would be easy for them to pass a drug test.

No.

But if I had the slightest suspicion that a drug test would be a good idea I'd be looking for a new nanny.