(Approx. 7–9 minutes reading time)
A Global Guide for ONB Nannies
Working with children is grounded in trust, transparency, and responsibility. Internationally, these principles are often reflected through official police and background checks — checks designed to confirm a professional’s suitability to work with children and families.
At Oh Nanny Blue, our team is composed primarily of Greek Nannies, who work both with Greek families and with families from abroad — in collaborations related to holidays, travel, and hospitality in Greece (hotels, resorts, yachts, events).
For this reason, we consider it essential for our Nannies to understand which police and background checks exist internationally, what each one covers, and when it is genuinely relevant to hold them.
What are police and background checks?
Police and background checks are official certificates issued by governmental or competent authorities and may relate to:
- criminal records,
- convictions or legal restrictions,
- and, in certain countries, specific clearance for working with children.
There is no single universal police check applicable worldwide. Each country operates its own system, with varying scope, depth, and purpose.
Why police and background checks matter for an ONB Nanny
For an ONB Nanny, police and background checks:
- strengthen professional credibility,
- are commonly requested within professional childcare collaborations,
- form a core element of the collaboration framework with Oh Nanny Blue,
- support Nannies in navigating demanding and high-responsibility roles,
- facilitate placements in environments that require heightened trust (private homes, hospitality settings, travel-based roles).
In practice, police and background checks are not requested solely by families or employers.
At Oh Nanny Blue, they are integrated into our evaluation and placement process, ensuring that each collaboration is built upon a clear, shared framework of safety, consistency, and trust.
Key Police & Background Checks by Country
Greece – Criminal Record Certificate
What it is: The official criminal record certificate issued by Greek authorities.
What it covers: Recorded convictions under Greek law.
Why it matters: It forms the initial foundation of credibility for ONB Nannies and is commonly required within the collaboration framework of Oh Nanny Blue, for Greek families as well as for international families employing childcare professionals, both within and beyond Greece.
Information / Application:
https://www.gov.gr/ipiresies/dikaiosune/poiniko-metroo
United Kingdom – DBS Check
What it is: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
What it covers: Criminal record information across different levels (Basic, Standard, Enhanced, Enhanced with Barred Lists).
Why it is requested: A fundamental requirement for working with children in the UK and frequently included within agency-led safeguarding procedures.
Information / Application:
https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record
United States – FBI Identity History Summary Check
What it is: A federal background check based on fingerprint records.
What it covers: Criminal history at a national level within the United States.
Why it is requested: Commonly required in international or high-trust placements involving U.S.-based families.
Information / Application:
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
Australia – National Police Check & Working With Children Check (WWCC)
National Police Check
What it is: A nationwide criminal record check.
Information:
https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/services/criminal-records/national-police-checks
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
What it is: A specialised clearance specifically for working with children.
Why it matters: Considered among the most rigorous safeguarding checks internationally and frequently requested within agency-led placements.
Information (example: NSW):
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-working-children-check
Canada – Criminal Record Check (RCMP / CPIC)
What it is: A national criminal record check issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Why it is requested: Required for placements with Canadian families and international childcare organisations.
Information / Application:
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/criminal-record-checks
Europe – National Police Checks (Indicative)
Each European country issues its own official criminal record certificate. Common examples include:
- France – Casier Judiciaire
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2346 - Germany – Führungszeugnis
https://www.bundesjustizamt.de/EN/Topics/Citizen_Services/Certificate_of_Conduct - Netherlands – VOG (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag)
https://www.justis.nl/producten/vog/ - Switzerland – Criminal Record Extract (Strafregisterauszug)
https://www.e-service.admin.ch/crex/cms/content/strafregister/uebersicht_en - Italy – Casellario Giudiziale
https://www.giustizia.it/giustizia/it/mg_3_3.page - Spain – Certificado de Antecedentes Penales
https://sede.mjusticia.gob.es
*Equivalent official police or criminal record certificates exist in other countries and are assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the applicable legal framework and the nature of the collaboration.
How to choose the appropriate checks
When deciding which police or background checks are relevant, consider:
- the country in which you intend to work,
- the requirements of the agency you wish to collaborate with,
- the expectations of each family,
- the level of responsibility associated with the role.
If your focus is primarily Greece or Europe, the Greek criminal record certificate is often sufficient, sometimes complemented by a relevant national police check.
For collaborations involving families from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, or Canada, more comprehensive international checks are commonly required, aligned with each country’s regulatory framework and agency-led processes.
The Oh Nanny Blue approach
At Oh Nanny Blue:
- our team is shaped by professional conduct, responsibility, and consistency,
- each collaboration is assessed individually, with close attention to context and real needs,
- police and background checks form part of the overall evaluation and placement process.
The Oh Nanny Blue team is not treated as a simple database, but as a professional community built on shared values, clear boundaries, and mutual respect — for both the role of the Nanny and the needs of each family.
Within our approach, police and background checks are viewed not as a formality, but as part of a broader professional mindset. Our aim is to foster a culture of, towards children and families, as well as towards the professional role of the Nanny itself.
Through this process, ONB Nannies are encouraged to build a stable and conscious professional profile, strengthen their CV with meaningful credentials, and position themselves with greater clarity, confidence, and self-respect within the profession they have chosen.
What we typically recommend as a baseline at Oh Nanny Blue
- A Greek criminal record certificate as a starting point.
- Additional national or international police checks when linked to a specific country or placement.
- A balanced combination of checks alongside references, experience, and professional consistency.
Support from Oh Nanny Blue
ONB Nannies may contact the agency for general guidance regarding police and background checks relevant to their collaborations.
Our approach remains measured, realistic, and adapted to each individual context.
