Cadence Education: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Cadence Education, LLC says it is one of the premier early childhood educators in the United States, operating more than 350 private preschools and elementary schools as members of the Cadence Education Family of Schools, with more than 30 years in business. A May 2024 press release carried a Scottsdale, Arizona dateline, and the careers page describes schools in 30 states.

The company has grown in part by acquiring schools. The 2024 press release listed recent additions in Richmond, Virginia, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Whitman, Massachusetts, and Phoenix, Arizona, and described a multi-brand, multi-curriculum approach. The careers page notes that some schools have different names, such as Creative Kids, Canterbury Schools, and Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy, and says what binds them is a shared brand promise of peace of mind for parents and an exceptional education every fun-filled day in a place as nurturing as home.

Cadence describes its educational approach through the Ascend Curriculum, which it says spans nine learning domains, including literacy, math, science, physical fitness, and creative expression. Its stated mission is creating bright futures for all by ensuring safety and exceptional care and education for children, providing peace of mind for families, fostering a supportive environment for employees, and contributing to the communities it serves. Its values are safety, integrity, respect, kindness, and growth.

Careers at Cadence center on school-based roles such as teachers, supported by a corporate office. The careers site lists hundreds of open positions across many states and uses a recruiting assistant named Sophia to help candidates search for jobs and apply, and some locations can schedule interviews at the time of application.

Company culture and employee programs:

Cadence says it offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth, a consistent Monday to Friday workweek with scheduled breaks, and low teacher-to-student ratios. It also describes a partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, through which it says it has raised over $1 million, and its 2024 press release says it emphasizes training, mentorship, and continuing education. Specific pay and benefits vary by school, role, and state, so candidates should confirm details during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the early childhood education industry, including Cadence Education, are legally permitted to run pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable state and local laws. Child care is also regulated at the state level, so licensing rules in the state where a school operates may require specific checks for staff.

Cadence Education is generally reported to run background checks on school staff, which is consistent with standard practice in child care and early education. Schools care for young children and are typically licensed by their states, and state licensing rules commonly call for criminal history checks of staff. The scope of the Cadence Education background check may vary by role, school, and state.

The Cadence Education hiring process typically starts with an online application through its careers site, with help from its recruiting assistant, Sophia. Qualified candidates may be scheduled for an interview with the school, sometimes at the time of application. A conditional offer may be followed by consent to a background check and other pre-employment requirements, such as state licensing paperwork, before the first day. Steps may vary by school and state.

A Cadence Education background check can take from a few business days to longer, depending on the searches ordered and how quickly courts and agencies respond. Fingerprint-based and registry checks required by a state can add time. Candidates who want typical timelines can review background check turnaround times.

The employer and the state licensing agency determine which checks apply, so the scope may vary by role and state. For a role in early childhood education like those at Cadence Education, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review the disclosure and consent forms they receive to see which searches apply to their role and state.

Cadence Education does not publicly state a drug testing policy, and requirements may vary by role, school, and state. Child care licensing and employer policies can include health screenings or drug testing for staff in some locations, so candidates should check the paperwork they receive after a conditional offer. The pages reviewed describe no drug test either way.

The lookback period for a background check depends on the type of search and the laws of the state or country where the candidate lives or worked. In the United States, the FCRA generally limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting most negative information older than seven years, with certain exceptions for higher-salary positions and specific record types such as convictions. Some states have stricter limits. Candidates with records in multiple jurisdictions may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

Cadence Education does not publish a policy on hiring candidates with felony records, and decisions are typically made case by case. Because the schools care for children, state child care licensing rules may disqualify people with certain convictions from working in a licensed facility, regardless of an employer's own preferences. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history, though licensed child care roles are often subject to exceptions. Candidates are encouraged to answer honestly and be ready to discuss their background.

Candidates applying to Cadence Education will typically be asked for written consent before a background check begins, usually on a disclosure form. Be ready to provide your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history, and to complete any fingerprinting or state forms a licensing agency requires. Accurate information helps ensure searches cover the right jurisdictions and avoids delays.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent before running a background check, provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, and allow the candidate an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made. For a detailed overview of how the FCRA applies to background checks, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Teachers and child care staff typically face the most extensive screening, which may include criminal history, sex offender registry, and state-required checks. State-required checks may include child abuse registry searches or fingerprinting. Requirements are set by each state's licensing agency and may change over time. Candidates should ask the school which forms and checks apply in their state.

Hiring steps may vary by school and state, because Cadence operates schools under different names and each state sets its own licensing rules. Schools acquired by Cadence may also keep some local practices during transition. Candidates should confirm the steps, timing, and required documents with the specific school they apply to.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Cadence Education may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters, hiring managers, or potential employers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.