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A new regulation mandates that people who are hired to work at childcare facilities must pass a background check before their employment begins.

The Screening Process For Childcare Workers

When a person applies to work at a childcare facility in New Hampshire, they must authorize a background screening. According to the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services (NHDHHS) website, these reports must be completed and approved “prior to the date an individual is responsible for the care of, or has regular contact with children, upon adding new household members, or other individuals who will have regular contact with children, and upon staff or household members turning 18 years of age.”

This is a common requirement for certain industries, such as those that provide care to the elderly, children and other vulnerable populations. Until recently, however, the NHDHHS was said to allow waivers that permitted workers to start their positions before a background check was complete - as long as they were supervised by another employee. A change to this policy occurred when federal regulators issued a $700,000 penalty and ordered the department to become compliant.

Why Screenings Must Occur

Every employer should screen potential employees, contractors and volunteers. This is done to help organizations make informed decisions, maintain safe workplaces and conduct due diligence. Bringing on someone who has serious convictions or criminal records that are directly related to the position could lead to a backlash against the company and, in some cases, claims of negligent hiring.

Entities that provide care for children must screen every potential employee. This includes:

• A fingerprint check of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database.
• A search of the National Crime Information Center’s National Sex Offender Registry and the state registry.
• A check of the state criminal registry or repository and child abuse and neglect registry and database.

Some Providers Are Unhappy With The New Regulation

An article in a New Hampshire based publication reported that some childcare providers are unhappy with this update. While they support screening candidates, they noted that the federal background check process can take 6 weeks or longer. That lengthy turnaround time creates some concern that several facilities will be forced to shut down because they are understaffed.

The NHDHHS acknowledged that the federal screening process can be time consuming and, therefore, detrimental to organizations that need to bring people in quickly. A spokesperson for the New Hampshire Department of Safety suggested that hiring managers should use the state’s Police Criminal Records Portal to help shorten the process. However, the department will strictly uphold the new regulation.

Running Background Checks

In most cases, background checks for employment purposes can be completed in three to five business days. This is a fast turnaround time that empowers employers to move quickly so they can identify and hire top talent.

If you need background checks, please contact us. Our experienced team can help customize screening packages based on your needs, industry regulations and relevant laws. We are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.