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Before you begin checking references, you can also jot down notes about specific issues with which you may be concerned. For example, if your family has a pet, you can ask the reference how the nanny was around animals. If your family needs a nanny who can take your children to and from school, you can ask the nanny reference about the nanny's driving abilities and find out how well she was able to keep to a schedule.

If you are working with bricks-and-mortar nanny agencies, they should be able to give you other tips about what to ask about nannies. If you are working with online nanny services, you may even be able to access helpful worksheets with additional questions and ideas about what to ask or what to listen for when checking references.

Red Flags When Checking References

Beware of phony references. Nannies with little or no prior experience may list friends or family members as prior employers. While it can be hard to recognize a fake nanny reference at first, there are some red flags. Check to see if the salary listed for the prior employer matches up with the going rates for nannies with comparable experience and education in your area. If it is much too high, you could possibly be looking at a fake reference.

In addition, when you are checking references, listen to how the nanny is described. There is a difference between an enthusiastic mother who loved the nanny and who ended the relationship only when her needs changed and a friend posing as a nanny reference who sounds like she is trying to sell the nanny as a perfect candidate.

When a family is searching for nannies, particularly if there are time constraints on the search – the mother is going back to work in a week, the nanny already in place just gave her notice, and so on – it may be tempting to skip the checking references step based on a "good feeling." However, do not fall into this trap. Checking the references of nannies is one of the most important steps in the hiring process – it can give you insight into the nanny's personality and work ethic that you would not otherwise be able to gain from an interview.

Bottom line, make sure you set aside time to call everyone the nanny lists as a reference on her application. While nothing is foolproof, checking references will help to make you feel more comfortable about the person you are bringing into your home to keep your children happy, healthy, and safe.