Checking Childcare References: Essential Guide 2026

Checking references is one of the most important steps in choosing childcare. Whether evaluating a nanny candidate or a daycare center, references provide insights you can't get from interviews alone. Knowing what to ask—and what to listen for—helps you make informed decisions.

Why References Matter

What They Reveal

References tell you:

• How they performed over time
• Real experiences from others
• Consistency with what they told you
• Issues that may not appear in interviews
• Long-term behavior patterns

Limitations

Know that:

• References are chosen by candidate/center
• May be biased positive
• Still valuable despite limits
• One piece of information

For Nanny References

Who to Contact

Ask for:

• 2-3 previous employers
• Recent references (last 3 years)
• Long-term employer if possible
• Personal references (secondary)

Questions to Ask

About the job:

• How long did they work for you?
• What ages were your children?
• What were their responsibilities?
• Was it full-time or part-time?

About performance:

• What were their strengths?
• Any areas of concern?
• How did they handle emergencies?
• Were they reliable?
• How did they communicate?

About your child:

• How did children respond to them?
• What activities did they do together?
• How did they handle discipline?
• Did your children enjoy being with them?

The key question:

• Would you hire them again?
• Why did they leave?
• Would you recommend them?

What to Listen For

Positive signs:

• Enthusiastic responses
• Specific positive examples
• Children loved them
• Would hire again
• Unprompted praise

Concerning signs:

• Hesitation
• Vague answers
• Qualified positives
• Wouldn't hire again
• Short tenure unexplained

For Daycare References

Who to Contact

Reach out to:

• Current parents
• Recently departed families
• Long-term families
• Parents of children your child's age

Questions to Ask

About experience:

• How long has your child been there?
• What age did they start?
• What classroom are they in?

About quality:

• What do you like best?
• Any concerns?
• How is communication?
• How do teachers handle problems?
• Does your child enjoy it?

About specifics:

• How are drop-offs and pickups?
• What's the daily routine like?
• How do they handle illness?
• What about staff turnover?

The key question:

• Would you choose this center again?
• Would you recommend it?

What to Listen For

Positive signs:

• Happy children mentioned
• Good communication praised
• Teachers appreciated
• Long tenure
• Would recommend

Concerning signs:

• Hesitation to recommend
• Many concerns mentioned
• High turnover noted
• Communication problems
• Would choose differently

How to Conduct Reference Checks

Making Contact

Approach:

• Phone is best (hear tone)
• Email if phone unavailable
• Introduce yourself and purpose
• Respect their time
• Be appreciative

During the Call

Best practices:

• Have questions ready
• Take notes
• Listen for hesitation
• Ask follow-up questions
• Allow them to share

After the Call

Process:

• Review notes
• Compare to other references
• Consider overall picture
• Trust consistent patterns
• Factor into decision

Red Flags

In Nanny References

Concerns:

• Can't provide references
• References don't answer
• Short tenure not explained
• Reliability issues mentioned
• Wouldn't hire again
• Hesitation or vague praise

In Daycare References

Concerns:

• Parents unwilling to talk
• High turnover mentioned
• Safety concerns raised
• Communication problems
• Multiple families with same concern

Beyond References

Additional Verification

Also consider:

• Background checks
• Licensing records (daycare)
• Online reviews
• Personal observation
• Your gut feeling

Trusting Your Instincts

Remember:

• References are one input
• Your observation matters
• Gut feelings are valid
• Overall picture counts

Key Takeaways

Always check references:

• Never skip this step
• Call, don't just email
• Ask specific questions
• Listen carefully

For nannies:

• Contact previous employers
• Ask about specifics
• Listen for hesitation
• The "hire again" question matters

For daycares:

• Talk to current parents
• Ask about communication
• Listen for patterns
• Look for consistency

Red flags matter:

• Trust concerning patterns
• Short tenure unexplained
• Hesitation to recommend
• Consistent concerns across references

Part of bigger picture:

• References plus observation
• Background verification
• Your judgment
• Trust the process

Reference checks are essential due diligence. Taking the time to ask good questions and really listen to the answers helps protect your child and make confident decisions.

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