Background Checks and References
Verification is the part of hiring that families most often rush, and the part they most regret rushing. Here is what is actually available in Alberta, what each check does and does not tell you, and who is responsible for obtaining it.
Police information check and vulnerable sector search
In Calgary, a police information check is requested by the individual, not by a prospective employer. Because childcare is a position of trust involving children, it should include a vulnerable sector search, which checks for relevant pardoned or record-suspended sexual offences in addition to the standard record check.
Applications are made through the Calgary Police Service, or through the RCMP for candidates living outside the city. Processing takes time, so ask for it early rather than at the offer stage. Note that a check reflects a point in time and does not stay valid indefinitely.
What a clear check does not tell you
A clear record confirms the absence of relevant recorded convictions. It says nothing about reliability, patience, judgement under pressure, or how someone behaves with a tired three-year-old at the end of a long day. That is what references and a trial period are for, and neither should be skipped because a check came back clear.
How to check references properly
- Speak to at least two previous employers directly, by phone rather than email.
- Confirm the dates and the role, then compare them with what you were told.
- Ask open questions and let silences run; the useful detail usually follows.
- Always ask outright whether they would hire the person again.
- Be alert to a reference who is oddly hesitant or unusually brief.
Certifications worth verifying
- Standard first aid and CPR, including the expiry date on the certificate.
- Any childcare or early childhood education credential the candidate claims.
- A valid Alberta driver’s licence and insurance, if the role involves driving.
- A driver’s abstract, if the person will regularly transport your children.
Which service verifies what
If you use the self-service search on NannyServices.ca, verification is entirely your responsibility. Profiles on that independent marketplace are not screened by our placement team, and you should not assume any check has been completed.
If you use Full-Service Placement, our team conducts initial screening conversations as part of the search. The specific screening steps included are set out for you before the search begins, so you know exactly which checks we perform and which remain with your family.
Common questions
- Do you guarantee that every profile on NannyServices.ca is screened by the agency?
- No. NannyServices.ca is the independent self-service option. The agency placement process is separate, and the screening steps included in that service are explained before the search begins.