I cant remember in what state, but there was a nanny, she killed these 2 little kids that she was watching. The mother came home and found them in the bathtub :,( and a cop went to i think the air port and told the father of the children what had happened! The nanny had tried to kill herself afterward but didnt succeed... When i saw this, it well frankly ****** me off, how could someone do that to children, or well...anyone! But point is, im not putting my child in daycare or ever getting a nanny...id rather my grandmother be my childs daycare while im at work.

good decision u can never be to careful when it comes to ur kids and strangers

Exactly

The only people I allow to babysit my kids are close family and friends that have kids of their own.

I personally, having done babysitting and worked as a nanny, feel that this is why background checks and getting to know the babysitter/nanny (or in my case the family/parents) is helpful. I would always arrange a time to meet, for lunch or coffee, and discuss the job, the children and who I am as a person and basically let the parents decide (beforehand) if they want to hire me, I also ask to come and observe the house and the family (this is for nanny jobs), so I can see how things are and if I think it will be a safe environment for me to work in. I also ask of the family to do random 'checks', like popping in during the day to see how I am running things, or having a family friend of family member pop in to make sure I am not doing anything I shouldn't...
I understand your viewpoint, and agree that if you can get family to watch your children, it is less likely to end badly (although there have been cases where a family member has done something, but than you're more likely to know them and know if they are to be trusted or not). I am glad you have someone that can help you inside your family, not everyone is so lucky :)