Tips for Screening Staff Applicants When Opening a Daycare
When opening a daycare center, it is essential to conduct preemployment background checks on all potential staff. daycare. These checks safeguard both you and the children in your care. There are two main reasons for performing this step. The first is to verify that the person applying for the position within your childcare center is indeed the person they claim to be. The second reason is to research any criminal history that may pose an issue to the children and staff of your daycare facility. Preemployment background checks can also incorporate a drugs tests to determine if an individual has used recreational drugs. By preforming the screens you are minimizing risks to the safety of staff and children plus avoiding future legal challenges.
The first thing you do when someone applies to work at your new daycare business is to have a background screen contract to hand. The candidate should be informed of the purpose of the contract i.e. they are giving you permission to conduct a background investigation on them. You may, like many companies, provide an option for them to consent to a drugs test. Considering the nature of your potential business it is advisable to include said drugs test. The safety of the children is paramount.
When conducting preemployment background screens, it is imperative that you find a dependable outside company to work with that will provide these services to you at a good rate. Many of these companies offer discounts to new businesses, and businesses that deal with children, such as a daycare. It is important to inquire about any special rates and/or discounts when researching various companies that provide background check services. You should also contact the insurance provider of your daycare center to determine if you can receive discounts on your insurance costs due to the fact that you require preemployment background screening.
You must understand though that when conducting preemployment background screens there is certain information that you are not permitted, by law, to use in determining an individual to be worthy of employment. For example you cannot use a disability as grounds for unsuitability. Other examples of items that should not be used in determining employment at your new child care center include previous debts, low credit scores, and medical conditions. However, you need to assess the overall welfare of your daycare center when considering any of the above because if they were to pose a significant danger to any aspect of your business or the people therein i.e a severely contagious disease, then you may have grounds for not hiring the candidate.
Realize that timing is vital when organizing your background checks for potential employees of your new daycare business. The results may take up to two weeks to return although many companies may respond in as little as three days. However, these services will be relatively more expensive. So, plan your recruitment drive with this point in mind. It is important for you to place the returned screening in a file designed to track documents on that particular person in your daycare center. This is sensitive and personal information so keep it in a secure place.
If you are opening a daycare center, it is essential to ensure that you conduct preemployment background screens on all employees. This should even include employees that do not directly deal with the children, such as janitors. It is important to ensure that your center has the highest rated safety in order to succeed.
10 years experience of running a day care renders Fiona Lohrenz very capable of writing articles on all aspects of childcare. She also pours this knowledge into her child care website and has made a 'How to Start a Child Care Business' DVD guide: StartChildCare.com She can be reached at her website: ChildCareOnly.com
Published January 10th, 2008
Filed in Women
