Background Check & Screening Policy

This Background Check & Screening Policy explains SitReady’s screening requirements for Sitters who want to offer childcare services through the SitReady Platform.Screening is intended to provide an additional trust and safety measure. However, no background check, identity-verification process, database search, or screening program can guarantee that a person is safe, trustworthy, qualified, or appropriate for every family.

Sitters must complete the background screening and any required identity-verification procedures before becoming eligible to accept childcare Bookings through SitReady.SitReady may prevent a Sitter from accepting new Bookings while required screening is: • incomplete; • expired; • under review; • suspended; • disputed; or • awaiting additional information.

SitReady may use Checkr or another authorized third-party screening provider to conduct background checks and related screening services.The screening provider may require a Sitter to: • create or access a separate candidate account; • provide information directly to the provider; • accept the provider’s applicable terms; • complete authorization procedures; and • complete required disclosure forms. The screening provider, rather than SitReady, obtains and compiles the records included in the applicable screening report. The provider’s own privacy practices and terms may apply to information submitted directly to it.

A Sitter must provide all legally required authorization before a background check is ordered.Sitters must provide complete, current, and accurate identifying information requested for screening.A Sitter may not: • provide another person’s identifying information; • falsify identity information; • alter screening documents; • conceal requested information; or • otherwise interfere with or manipulate the screening process. Failure to complete required screening procedures or provide requested information may prevent the Sitter from becoming or remaining eligible to accept Bookings.

Depending on the applicable screening package, geographic location, applicable law, and SitReady’s current screening program, screening may include legally permitted searches or verification involving: • identity information; • criminal records; • sex-offender registries; • federal records; • state records; • county or local records; • watchlists; • address history; and • other records or databases made available through the screening provider. Additional screening may be required for particular services or Platform features where appropriate.SitReady does not represent that every available database, courthouse, jurisdiction, registry, or record source is searched as part of every background check.

Completion of a background check does not automatically guarantee eligibility to provide childcare through SitReady.A screening report may require additional review before a Sitter is permitted to accept Bookings.SitReady may restrict Booking eligibility while screening information is being reviewed or while additional information is requested from the Sitter or screening provider.A screening result requiring review does not necessarily mean that the Sitter is disqualified.

SitReady may display a badge, label, status, or other indicator showing that a Sitter has completed the screening process required by SitReady at that time.A screening badge means only that the Sitter completed the applicable SitReady screening process and satisfied SitReady’s eligibility requirements at the time the status was issued.A screening badge is not: • a certification; • an endorsement; • a recommendation; • a warranty; • a guarantee of character or conduct; • a guarantee of future behavior; or • a guarantee that the Sitter is suitable for a particular Child or family. Parents remain responsible for reviewing a Sitter’s profile, qualifications, experience, reviews, availability, screening status, and other information they consider important before selecting a Sitter.

SitReady may consider legally reportable screening information when determining whether a Sitter is eligible to use childcare-provider features of the Platform. Where permitted by applicable law, information that may affect eligibility can include records reasonably related to: • child safety; • violence; • abuse; • neglect; • sexual misconduct; • kidnapping; • exploitation; • serious dishonesty or fraud; • dangerous conduct; or • other conduct that SitReady determines may present a material safety or trust concern in connection with childcare services. Where appropriate and legally permitted, SitReady may consider the nature and seriousness of the conduct, the time that has passed, case disposition, the relationship between the information and childcare responsibilities, evidence of rehabilitation or relevant context, and restrictions imposed by applicable law.Arrests, charges, dismissed cases, sealed or expunged matters, juvenile records, and other non-conviction information will be handled only to the extent their consideration is permitted by applicable law.

A Sitter may be temporarily ineligible to accept Bookings while a screening report is: • pending; • incomplete; • suspended; • under review; or • awaiting information necessary to complete the screening. If the screening provider requests additional information or documentation, the Sitter is responsible for responding through the provider’s applicable process.Delays in providing requested information may delay or prevent Booking eligibility.

A Sitter who believes that information contained in a background report is inaccurate or incomplete may use the screening provider’s dispute process and any rights available under applicable law.SitReady does not control the screening provider’s investigation of disputed public records or other information contained in the report.When SitReady is notified that material screening information is being disputed, SitReady may pause a screening-based eligibility decision or restrict new Bookings while the dispute is being resolved.If the screening provider issues an updated report following a dispute, SitReady may reevaluate the Sitter’s eligibility using the corrected or updated information.

-BASED ACCOUNT DECISIONSIf SitReady is considering denying, suspending, restricting, or terminating a Sitter’s eligibility based in whole or in part on information obtained from a third-party background report, SitReady will provide any notices, report copies, response opportunities, or other procedures required by applicable law. The screening provider does not make SitReady’s final decision regarding whether a Sitter may use SitReady.Eligibility decisions are made by SitReady based on its applicable policies and applicable law.

-SCREENING AND RENEWALBackground screening is not necessarily a one-time requirement.SitReady may require Sitters to complete a new background check or other screening periodically in order to remain eligible to accept Bookings.SitReady may also require re-screening sooner when permitted by applicable law, including after: • a material safety report; • an identity concern; • extended Account inactivity; • expiration of a prior screening; • a change in screening requirements; or • other circumstances reasonably related to Platform safety. If required screening expires or is not renewed, the Sitter may lose access to new Booking opportunities until the applicable screening requirement is completed.

Sitters must keep their legal name, contact information, and other information relevant to identity and screening current.A Sitter who changes a legal name or other material identifying information may be required to complete additional identity verification before continuing to accept Bookings.

A previously completed background check does not prevent SitReady from acting on new safety information received after the screening was completed.SitReady may review credible reports involving: • criminal conduct; • abuse; • neglect; • violence; • threats; • fraud; • identity misuse; • unsafe childcare conduct; or • other serious safety concerns, even when the reported conduct does not yet appear on a background report.SitReady may temporarily restrict or suspend a Sitter’s ability to accept Bookings while a serious safety concern is reviewed.

Background screening and SitReady’s incident-reporting process are separate safety measures.A Sitter may satisfy SitReady’s background-screening requirements and nevertheless be suspended or removed because of: • conduct reported through SitReady; • violations of SitReady policies; • unsafe childcare practices; or • other information affecting Platform eligibility.

Background reports and sensitive screening information are treated as confidential information.Such information may be accessed or used only for legitimate screening, safety, compliance, dispute-resolution, or legal purposes.SitReady does not publicly display a Sitter’s full background report to Parents or other Users.Parents may instead see an appropriate screening status or badge when SitReady makes that feature available.Screening information is handled in accordance with SitReady’s Privacy Policy, applicable screening-provider privacy practices, and applicable law.

SitReady may require Sitters to pay the cost of required background screening.Any required screening charge will be disclosed before the Sitter authorizes or purchases the applicable screening.Payment of a background-check fee does not guarantee: • approval; • Booking eligibility; or • a particular screening result. Screening fees may also be subject to the payment and refund terms of the applicable screening provider.

Background checks have inherent limitations.Records may be: • incomplete; • delayed; • inaccurate; • unavailable; • restricted by law; • associated with another person; or • not yet reported to a searchable source. Some misconduct may never result in an arrest, charge, conviction, registry entry, or other record appearing in a background check.SitReady does not guarantee that its screening process will identify every past or future safety concern.Parents should use their own judgment when selecting and continuing to work with a Sitter and should report safety concerns to SitReady.

Parents should review a Sitter’s profile and available screening status before confirming a Booking.Parents may ask Sitters appropriate questions concerning: • childcare experience; • certifications; • availability; • care preferences; • relevant qualifications; and • other information reasonably relevant to their family. A background-check status should not replace ordinary precautions, clear care instructions, emergency-contact information, appropriate supervision decisions, or a Parent’s assessment of whether a Sitter is suitable for the Child.

SitReady may preserve and review screening-related records when reasonably necessary to: • investigate a serious safety incident; • respond to a lawful request; • protect Users; • enforce SitReady policies; or • comply with legal obligations. Where appropriate and lawful, SitReady may cooperate with: • screening providers; • law enforcement; • child-protection authorities; • courts; • regulators; and • other authorized entities regarding serious safety or legal matters.

A Sitter may not attempt to bypass a screening requirement or eligibility decision by: • creating duplicate or false Accounts; • using another person’s identity; • submitting altered documentation; • manipulating personal information; or • otherwise interfering with the screening process. Attempts to evade screening may result in immediate Account restriction, suspension, or termination.

SitReady may update its screening requirements as its: • services change; • safety practices change; • screening providers change; • geographic availability expands or changes; or • legal obligations change. A Sitter may be required to satisfy updated screening requirements before accepting additional Bookings, even if the Sitter previously completed an earlier screening process.

Questions about SitReady’s screening requirements or a SitReady eligibility decision may be submitted through SitReady Support. Questions or disputes concerning the accuracy or completeness of information contained in a third-party background report should be directed to the applicable screening provider through its candidate-support or dispute process.