"The Reference Checklist..."
This last
week in Toronto, a very respected daycare/after school
care facility discovered they had a predator in their
midst after going 35 years without a problem. This
really breaks my heart on two levels. First and
foremost, innocent children were scarred. Second, a
institution that tried really hard to keep their kids
safe, accidently let a predator inside.
Which brings
us to today's topic: References. References. REFERENCES!
I'd like to
share a form my wife and I made up while interviewing
daycares, babysitters, coaches and school trip
supervisors. Please feel free to improve it any
way you can, if helpful we will add your information to
the sheet, and publish the final draft in July. Then you
will always find it here on Street Smart Kidz and be
able to download it any time you need it. I look forward
to your replies.
Applicant
Full Name
_______________________________________________________________
Nick Name
(if applicable) ______________________________
References:
Company
Name________________________________________________________
Date
From___________________________ Date
To___________________________
Contact
Name_______________________
Position___________________________
Contact
Phone__________
Contact
Address________________________________________________________
*ALL the above
information MUST be filled in
Questioning
the Reference
Now it's
time to question the references, be in a quiet room, pay
attention to what you are being told, but more
importantly, what your NOT being told, and don't skip
any questions, because when the reference check is over,
you will need to analyze all the info and come to a
general conclusion by writing down what made you feel
good, and what set off warning signals.
Discuss your
notes about the following questions, with a mate, family
member or close friend
Verify Above
Information By Asking The Following From The References:
-
dates of
employment from_______________ To:_______________
-
last
salary:_______________________
-
will
there be someone on site at all times with FIRST AID
TRAINING?
-
last job
title________________
-
responsibilities______________
-
would
you hire them again? why?________________
whynot___________________
-
tell me
about their interpersonal
skill's______________________________
-
how was
their general attendance?______________________
-
would
you be comfortable leaving your children with this
person?_________
-
how
much supervision do they
need?___________________________
Signals To
Listen For (reading between the lines)
-
does the
person answer right away, or is the phone quiet for
a few seconds
-
are they
stuttering and stammering, looking for answers, or
is there a natural easy flow to the conversation
To Do List
-
PLEASE,
complete this form for every situation where
your child needs to be left with a stranger.
-
Use at
least three references for each person you plan to
allow around your children.
-
ask a
lot of questions, take notes and keep in mind that
the references could be fake.
-
follow
through by phoning each and every reference
-
then
give yourself a pat on the back for being a good
parent
Steven
