The INA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Louise Dunham on Monday, April 15. Her enthusiasm and energy will be an asset to this year's board.

Louise Dunham is the Managing Director of Placement Solutions, a Melbourne, Australia based niche recruitment firm celebrating its 25th anniversary of specializing in In-home childcare, and household management.  In 2001 Placement Solutions became an inaugural provider of the Australian government DEEWR approved In-home care program that offers Childcare rebates (both CCB and CCR) to eligible families.

In addition to her work with Placement Solutions, Louise served on the National Steering Committee which composed the Australian Interim In-home care standards that are used to set quality guidelines within the in-home childcare industry in Australia. She is a passionate advocate for the need for in-home childcare to be developed, and recognized, as childcare professionals have a valuable role to play within the greater childcare sector.

In 2011 Louise also set up Just Family Nanny Payroll Services Pty Ltd  to assist both her regular clients, as well as other clients employing In–home childcare providers. 

In 2013, Louise was honored with a 25 year service award pin for her service to the International Nanny industry.  Louise is extremely knowledgeable after 25 years experience in our industry, and her addition to the INA Board of Directors, and committee chair of International Membership will greatly benefit INA. 

30 Year Award Recipients

Sandra Costantino

Sandra Costantino is the executive director and co-owner of Neighborhood Nannies, Inc., a Haddonfield, New Jersey based leading nanny placement agency. Neighborhood Nannies was established in 1983 and was one of the first nanny agencies established on the East Coast. Sandy has been a guest on numerous TV and radio programs speaking out on issues concerning the nanny industry and its impact on the American family, in addition to representing the nanny industry in issues of regulation within the State of New Jersey.

Sandra is a founding member of INA and has been involved with the association since its inception. She is the only elected individual to serve continuously on the INA board of directors since 1985. Sandra has also served on the executive board of the association for many years and also serves as the unofficial INA historian.

Sandra has been responsible for the Annual Conference site selection, contractual negotiations, and conference planning since 1993. In addition to being treasurer for multiple terms, in past years Sandra has served as INA’s secretary and first vice president. Sandra has chaired the INA committee on professional standards and has served on many other association committees including the finance committee, INA relocation committee, and publications review board. She has also headed up various task forces over the past 30 years.

Sandra is an industry professional in the true sense of the word. She is focused and passionate about the nanny industry and is able to offer expertise to nannies in all levels of their careers. Sandra is sought after and respected by INA members because she is recognized for her commitment to professionalizing the nanny industry and helping to insure its' success.

• • Praise for Sandra • • • • • • • • • •

I have known Sandy for 30 years. She is my partner and co-executive director of Neighborhood Nannies in Haddonfield, N.J., one of the original nanny agencies in the United States. We have been placing nannies together since 1983. Sandy is passionate about the nanny industry. She is a founding member of the INA and since that first meeting she has consistently shown her commitment to INA in everything she has done and continues to do. I would not be able to list the most important contribution Sandy has made to INA because she is always actively doing something.

Celia Sarajian, RN, BS, MA/Business Partner

Sandy has provided an invaluable resource to me, the community and to her clients everywhere. Her nannies are experts in their field. They are compassionate, trustworthy, experienced and the very best at what they do. Sandy can meet anyone's needs, at any time. She is wonderful at matching nannies to families and their needs.

Ellen Zanolle / Friend, Neighbor and Client

I have worked with Sandy on collaboration and in competition. She is the quintessential professional, highly regarded in her community and in the industry. She deserves her pin…she’s been at this a very long time!!

Wendy Sachs / Colleague former INA President

Wendy Sachs / Colleague former INA President

25 Year Award Recipients

Louise Dunham

Louise Dunham started her business, Placement Solutions, in Melbourne, Australia in 1988. In 1988 the company was named Mother’s Little Helper and provided on call casual childcare, as well as other household management services. The business started from home when Louise had one small child, a 6- year-old. The impetus for starting the business was the discernible lack of quality care and screening when obtaining a casual career.

By 1994, Louise was operating out of a small office and had another child, Sianan, who works now as theEvents and Training Manager for Placement Solutions (and whom many of you met in 2011 in Tampa Bay). In 1994, Louise was an instigator and founding member of the AANA, the Australian Association of Nanny Agencies. The impetus for setting up this association was that Victoria as a state was lagging behind the other Australian states in making Working with Children’s Checks compulsory by law. We were also concerned at the lack of screening of Nannies, Clients and Agencies.

Louise served as president of the AANA from 1999 to 2000. By that time not only had the Victorian Working With Children Check become law but also a federal government pilot scheme to initiate In-Home Childcare and provide government approved subsidies to eligible families had been introduced. Louise as AANA President provided the keynote speech to the National Family Day Care conference in 2000 entitled, “Not Just a Baby Sitter and Why Nanny Is Not a 4 Letter Word.” AANA folded and Nica, the National In-home Care Association, took its place in 2004, Louise again being a founding member. As an inaugural provider of the National DEEWR (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations) in-home care scheme, Louise has worked hard to write and set standards within the Australian industry. She served on the Senate National Steering Committee for In-Home Care Standards in 2008 and on the National Industry Training Board for the updating of the Certificate 3 in Children’s Services in 2003. Later in 2008 she was on the CCMS (childcare management system) Industry Taskforce when new software was introduced to oversee the whole childcare industry and childcare rebates across the country. Louise is proud of what she has achieved since 1988 both professionally and Australia wide with our in home care scheme.

Louise has an arts degree from Latrobe University in Melbourne and both postgraduate teaching and research diplomas. Prior to setting up her own business she worked as an adult and community educator and secondary school teacher.

As of 2012, Louise has set up a separate business providing nanny payroll services to both her own agency clients and Australia wide. In her 24 years in the industry she is delighted to see how far this sector of the childcare industry has developed both in Victoria, Australia, and here in the Unites States.

• • Praise for Louise • • • • • • • • • •

Louise has established a sense of professionalism in her dealings with both her staff and her clients. She expects her families and staff to treat each other with respect and she models this in her behavior. Louise puts children first and has established a child care model that does this.

I was able to take on challenging work opportunities and do so in the confidence that my children were well looked after. It enabled me to take on work responsibilities including interstate travel that without in-home care I would not have been able to do.

I have full confidence that Louise is a worthy recipient of this award and my family’s experience in the child care she has provided has been a happy one.

Susan Smith, friend/client

Marni Kent

When you’re a nanny, you never know what surprises each day will bring — like an impromptu biology lesson and stand-up comedy act.

A few years ago, nanny Marni Kent took fourth grader Sammy to the Hobby Lobby to pick up all the raw materials for her class project on the human ear: a paper mâché head, Silly Putty for the outer ear and pipe cleaners for the inner ear. During the girl’s presentation, she meticulously explained each part of the ear and how it contributes to processing sound and sending signals to the brain. With a deadpan delivery, the student later showed her classmates where the brain was located. It was represented by a pea — as in “pea brain” —a gag inspired by her brother.

“I was sitting with Sammy’s parents and siblings and the crowd went wild with laughter,” Marni says. “At that moment, I was so proud not only how she used all those big words, but that she had put so much work into this project and was able to entertain and explain this in front of a large crowd.”

It’s natural for nannies to experience parenting-like moments such as these. Although the public often assumes that a nanny is merely a full-time babysitter, the truth is that they are constantly switching roles as trusted guardian, teacher, and friend. “Some people see the career of a nanny as simply unchallenging, yet where else can one take credit in playing an integral part in the way a young person will become an adult amongst society?” “We get to mold the content of a child’s character face to face and see the results first hand.”

“I’ve learned that you can’t learn how to be a professional nanny from a book,” she adds. “Each family has a specific blueprint of needs and expectations. The nanny has to be able to morph into those needs, be flexible and accept different parenting styles, temperament and personalities. Child development is about playing and modeling, exploring the world around them. And a little praise means a lot to a child — it helps with building their independence and self-worth.”

“Children have such a profound effect on you whether you realize it or not,” she says. “When you get down on their level, you are forced to think and learn about patience. Your tone of voice can affect a child so greatly, and most importantly, children teach you how to be happier and more positive about yourself when you are the one who is supposed to be teaching them.”

Marni’s Best Nanny Tips

1. Every nanny should think of herself as a “wife to the wife.” The parent-nanny relationship is about discipline, development, and rearing that will allow for long lasting relationships.
2. Growing with a family requires great commitment, dedication, and desire — even when things get rough.
3. Nanny resources and support are key for self care, personal growth and creating new opportunities to advance further in this career.

• • Praise for Marni • • • • • • • • • •

Marni was the best employee anyone could ask for. She committed herself completely to her job. She was dependable, consistent, and always cheerful. She gave 110 % all of the time. She had an uncanny ability to stay highly professional while still being friendly and approachable. Marni deserves to be acknowledged for her outstanding work ethic and boundless energy. She was my role model and I will always respect and love her.

Terri Elfner / Past Employer

I met Marni 10 years ago, shortly after I became a nanny and she was the first person to make me realize that I could be a career nanny. She mentored me, walked me through my first conference and has supported me through all aspects of my career as a nanny. I'm proud to call Marni my friend and colleague.

Christy Ochs / Nanny and Friend

MaryAnn Meddish

MaryAnn started babysitting at age 12 and started taking college classes while still in high school. One day at the college MaryAnn was asked if she was interested in being a nanny and ended up working for the family for four and a half years, working every schedule possible and even moving in to the family’s home as a senior in high school and moving with them to a different town the following summer.

In 1990 when she found out you could be certified to be a nanny as she was looking into the validity of "Nannying" as a career, she left her job and enrolled in Northwest Nannies Institute saying, "When you choose your career you get the education needed to be your best at what you do." MaryAnn is a graduate of NNI and Starkey International, she has passed the INA Credential Exam, and in 2009 she was selected as INA's Nanny of the Year.

In the 25 years since turning 18, MaryAnn has been a live-in nanny in eight states in a variety of situations including stay-at-home, work-at home, and non-working parents in expatriate, mixed religion, kosher Jewish homes, and a family compound.

She has experience with newborn singletons, multi age children, blended families, and premature newborn multiples including twins, triplets, and sextuplets. Her experience also includes working with children with ADHD, Asperger’s, mild CP, developmental delays, food allergies, special diets, medical regiments, and traveling solo both domestically and internationally with her charges.

MaryAnn is known for being very active and never running out of energy. She volunteers in her church, local community, and nanny community. She does a number of crafts including quilting, sewing, knitting, jewelry making, and scrapbooking. She enjoys hiking and camping, has walked the 60 mile Breast Cancer 3-Day, and loves to travel.

• • Praise for MaryAnn • • • • • • • • • •

MaryAnn is a nanny who strives to learn and to give back. She is always sharing her knowledge, experiences, what she has learned and her talents with others in the nanny community. She encourages and lifts up other nannies, helping them to be the best they can be. She purposefully seeks out new nannies at every INA conference with a goal of meeting a set number of new people and making them feel welcome and like they have a "friend". I consider MaryAnn more "family" than I do friend at this point. She has encouraged and lifted me up as a nanny, but her greatest support has been to me as a mother. Her friendship, unwavering support and encouragement and knowing I could depend on her 100% when my children were in her care means more to me than I can ever put into writing. Mary Ann is one of the finest people I have ever known. I am truly blessed to call her my friend.

Tonya Sakowicz / Professional Nanny, Mother, Owner of Baby Go Green

MaryAnn draws on her vast experience with young children as well as her own childhood challenges to approach each situation with a child with love and understanding. Her ideas were always valuable, and her experience gave us the feeling that we too would figure out how to navigate each challenge in our own family’s way. MaryAnn absolutely gave us a new level of respect for the profession. Our kids know that if Nanny MaryAnn said something, it must be true! They love to keep in touch with her, though it has been three years since she was here.

Deb Birnbach/Employer

MaryAnn loves the kids she takes care of, and loves to continue to keep in touch with the children she used to take care of. She is very dedicated to the nanny industry as a profession, and has always tried to find ways to help the industry by participating in nanny organizations, attending nanny conferences, contributing articles and photographs to nanny newsletters, and formal and informal mentoring of other nannies. She is a professional in her approach, but she also has experience in customizing her approach based on the family she's working with. She does not impose an approach, routine, etc., just because it worked with a previous family. Since each family has different concerns, needs, etc., she makes sure what she does fits that family’s personality.

Norman Birnbach / Employer

30 Year Award Recipients

Kathy Webb 20

Kathy co-founded HomeWork Solutions Inc. in 1993. Her business provides payroll and payroll tax services to household employers. Kathy and her partner started their business with a sub-let 90 squarefoot office, one desk, one computer and printer, two chairs and two telephones, and a “milk crate” for a file cabinet. Today her firm employs 18 full time and 7 part time employees and assists thousands of families nationwide

Kathy took her company online in 1995. In 1996 she launched NannyNetwork.com, the first searchable national database of nanny placement agencies. This was the first online nanny industry website to articulate standards and practices in the nanny industry, featuring the first nanny bulletin board, which enabled nannies to network with other nannies, other people who “got it.” The site today has between75K – 90K unique visitors per month, with an average of 6.2 pages viewed by visitor.

Kathy believes strongly that families and their nannies have better relationships when they understand the norms and practices involved. She wants families to understand their responsibilities –reference checking, background checking, and payroll tax compliance. She also wants nannies to be informed and encourages written work agreements. She has authored numerous articles, and is consulted frequently by national media on nanny industry issues.

She is also a very energetic and active leader in the nanny industry. Her company is a proud member/sponsor of INA, APNA, Nannypalooza, National Nanny Training Day, and a member as well of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and the American Payroll association. Kathy currently serves on the INA Board of Directors. Her commitment and dedication have positioned Kathy and her company as the experts in the nanny tax arena.

Kathy is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College, and lives with her husband of 30 years in Northern Virginia. She is the proud mother of 3 young adults, mother in law to 2 others, and the absolutely –in-love-grandma of a little princess and her soon to arrive baby brother!

Prior to HomeWork Solutions, Kathy held a variety of positions in th telecommunications field, in Boston, Southern California and then greater Washington DC. She and her husband hired their family’s first nanny in 1987 with the help of former INA member Karen Ryan, then operating as Classic Personnel. Hiring that nanny would be the first of many steps that have brought her to the INA and today’s conference!

• • Praise for Kathy • • • • • • • • • •

Kathy has articulated and advocated for the professional treatment of nannies in terms of being paid legally. This includes taxation and wage and hour compliance, providing work agreements, pay for hours worked, and promoting many other standards to the working conditions of all domestic employees. She has accomplished this in a number of ways including via our company website, white papers, the NannyNetwork.com bulletin board, and with presentations to parents, nannies, and industry professionals. For over 20 years Kathy has been recognized as subject matter expert by most national media outlets. Today’s professional nannies are savvy about legal and worksite rules, have access to standard work agreements, in no small part due to the efforts of people like Kathy and organizations like the INA. Kathy has been a main force behind introducing technology, especially Internet based systems and advertising to the industry.

Alan Heilbron / Business Partner

Kathy is a true industry leader who is always willing to share her knowledge, her wisdom, and her experience. She is always there giving back to nannies at every opportunity she can. She is an asset to our industry and I am honored to call her my friend.

Glenda Propst /Colleague and Friend

15 Year Award Recipients

Joanne Barrow

Joanne was born to a small and loving family in 1970 and raised in a rural and close knit community in East Sussex, England (about 60 miles south of London). A natural and eager caretaker from a very young age, Joanne was keen to get started on her path of childcare and signed up for her first‘ mothers helper’ role at just 10 years of age for her next door neighbors 3year old son, Steven. She knew then and there that taking care of little ones was where her heart was happiest and a decade later took that dream to the USA to fulfill an exciting career as a Nanny, currently spanning almost 23 years. While working as an Au Pair for a wonderful NJ family with 3 young children, Joanne took courses in Child Day Care Management and First Aid and CPR before further extending that training to become an Emergency Medical Technician where she volunteered with EMS in Somerset County for the remainder of her time in NJ.

Joanne went on to work with six families over the next two decades caring for children ranging in ages from one to thirteen. A voracious reader and learner of all child related topics Joanne became self and professionally taught adding diplomas in Children’s Etiquette and Butling and Household Management to her resume. These qualifications paired with her love and passion for private service and childcare made her a well-rounded candidate for family care and opened many wonderful opportunities as a result.

Joanne considers herself a Professional Career Nanny, dedicated to supporting families and their children in development of a strong and positive self image, all the while enhancing their ability to solve problems, explore and experience a wide variety of interests, activities and social interaction and to help them gain and polish healthy social skills.

Joanne feels the most gratifying part due to the longevity of her career has been the lasting bonds that she has formed with each family and the chance she’s been given to see the children grow up into the exceptional young teenagers and adults they are all becoming. She feels her life as a Nanny has been nothing short of a gift and a privilege and remains in close touch with all her families to this day. She currently cares for 2 sweet elementary school aged children in New York.

• • Praise for Joanne • • • • • • • • • •

Joanne has made many important contributions to the nanny industry by providing families with safe, fun, developmentally appropriate, and comprehensive child care but perhaps the most valuable has been the strong sense of integrity she has bought to all her positions, always doing the 'right' thing rather than the 'easy' thing. Joanne is one of the most caring, honest, and loyal people I know. She is intelligent, thoughtful, and fun. I can't think of another Nanny more suited to receive this prestigious honor.

Cindy Roland Miller / Adjunct Professor at Long Island University

Joanne is truly an expert in the field and I have witnessed first hand the positive impact her sincere care has had on a family. There are many wonderful traits that she exhibits, but if I must pick one, I'd say that it's her commitment to the whole family that makes her contribution so special, and tailored. She considers everyone’s needs, and quietly but deliberately, knows how to set a family up for success. Her timing and ability to know when to step back, and when to step in, is an innate skill that she taught me. She has shown the importance of being aware, prepared, and an appropriate compliment to a family; which has been an invaluable asset to myself and my years as a Governess.

Elizabeth Barnett /Certified Professional Governess E.N.G.S

Maryann Kamitian

Maryann Kamitian relocated from New Hampshire to Phoenix, Arizona in November of 2011 in search of new challenges. She has a strong network of friends and family who believe in and support her.

Maryann was fortunate to grow up on a small farm with lots of land where she and her brother would spend a lot of time outside caring for animals. Maryann’s mother was a wonderful nurturer. Her father worked hard which taught them the importance of a strong work ethic.

Maryann has been working with children since she was a teenager. Her first job as a teacher’s assistant in a pre-school moved into working as a substitute teacher in the same pre-school. She moved on to a daycare and filled many roles from assistant to head teacher.

In 1998 while she was enrolled in an Early Childhood Degree Program, she decided she wanted to become a Professional Career Nanny. She has been a Professional Nanny for 15 years! Maryann has worked long term for three wonderful families .She has cared for children of all ages including newborns. The fun and exciting part about her job is that each day is always different. This is why she loves this profession.

Over the past few years Maryann has enjoyed caring for more newborns in her positions. She says the calmness and trust a baby can have for you is unique and comforting. Maryann decided to start researching specialized newborn care. She felt that was really the next step in her career. She soon realized there was a name for she was looking into: Newborn Care Specialist. Maryann took a Newborn Specialist training class before moving to Phoenix.

Maryann knew she would be great with newborns and worked to connect with other professionals in the business. Maryann felt the same passion as she did when she first became a Nanny. She found a great professional network in Arizona. Most were willing to speak with her and answer any questions she had.

Shortly after relocating Maryann found her first client as a Newborn Care Specialist and is now working for a family with a newborn boy! They family felt that the combination of her 20 years of child care experience and her personality would made her a perfect fit for their family. They also felt that her longevity at previous jobs showed her commitment and dedication to the profession.

Maryann is a strong teacher and nurturer along with being a self-starter and an excellent communicator. She feels these are all extremely important in the child care field. Maryann has a huge heart and loves to give to others. She enjoys teaching children new things, and helping to promote learning at their own pace. Maryann hopes to continue as a Newborn Care Specialist educating and providing quality care to many families. She continues to set professional goals that she hopes to achieve. She knows that she still has much to learn on this new journey.

• • Praise for Maryann • • • • • • • • • •

I think Maryann’s most important contribution is yet to come! It is rare to see someone so dedicated to being the best they possibly can, learning as much as they can, and so dedicated to doing such a good job for the families and children depending on her care. Even though Maryann has several years of nanny experience under her belt, she is constantly striving to learn more and be better at what she does. Her dedication to learning as much as she can while she transitions to becoming a newborn care specialist is something we all could learn from.

I have really appreciated her dedication to excellence. It has reminded me of why I got into this business to begin with and has renewed my belief in the idea that when you do what you love, it shows! The INA will be honoring someone with a dedication to excellence and commitment to learning. The INA can be proud to put their name on this young lady.

Tonya Sakowicz /Friend, Mentor, Colleague

Jocelynn Yelverton

Growing up Jocelynn loved the movies Mary Poppins and the The Sound of Music. She also loved the book Eloise at the Plaza. I guess you could say that every day since she was a little girl, she was destined to become a nanny. Even though none of these fictional stories and characters reflect how nannies and families are today, she appreciated what nannies did for the children and families as a whole.

Jocelynn grew up in North Carolina in a family of four. She is the eldest of two children. When she was ten years old, she babysat for the first time for her next door neighbor when she went for her weekly grocery store run. Soon, she became the neighborhood babysitter.

Jocelynn had a regular sitting job with a family throughout high school which led to traveling with them during her junior and senior summers to their beach house. This gave her a small taste of what it was like to be a nanny. She loved every aspect of it. When she attended North Carolina State University, she began to pursue her dream of becoming a nanny. She found a position that lasted even beyond her college years. Once this position ended she learned there were resources for nannies. A local placement agency referred her to the Triangle Area Nanny Group. (TANG) If it were not for this support group, she would not be the nanny that she is today. Being involved in TANG she learned many things that were important to her career. TANG kept us updated on local classes, events, and other helpful resources. The founder of TANG really wanted to educate nannies about the ever changing industry. TANG introduced Jocelynn to nanny conference and she has attended the INA conference for many years. She is also a former member of NAN and a current member of NAN.

Over the last 15 years as a professional she has cared for newborns through teenagers. Jocelynn is very comfortable caring for children of any age. She also has experience taking care of multiples and children with learning disabilities. When interviewing for potential families she looks for a family where she feel as if she is an extended family member. Taking a job as a professional nanny places you in an intimate job setting. The bonds you form last for a lifetime. Jocelynn has worked as a part-time nanny, full-time nanny, a nanny/household manager, full charge nanny, as well as a traveling nanny, and live-in nanny.

Jocelynn is the former Nanny’s Night Out Coordinator for TANG and she attended the APEX program at the Alexandria School in 2011. Jocelynn has been involved with conference as a workshop moderator and other unlimited tasks that organizers needed assistance with. This year she worked with Marcia Hall, Glenda Propst, and Kellie Geres on the INA workshop proposal committee. Ultimately, childcare is not just a job to Jocelynn, it is definitely her passion. She cannot imagine another profession that would make her as happy!

• • Praise for Jocelynn • • • • • • • • • •

Jocelynn’s most important contribution is her love. Her love shows through her smile that lights up lives and her soft demeanor that smoothes children and adults alike. Jocelynn allowed my wife and I to pursue our separate careers, but she was more than a nanny to our children. She is a friend and family member. Every time she visits, there is joy in the faces of my children (and my oldest has entered college). Her most important contribution is being part of our family. My wife and I travel frequently with business. With Jocelynn’s support, we knew our children were safe, which gave us peace of mind.

Laurie and Gene Merlo, Former Employers

10 Year Award Recipients

Bob King

Bob King is an attorney and founder of Legally Nanny®, the leading law firm providing legal and tax advice to household employers and domestic employment and homecare agencies.

When Bob and his wife Jennifer decided to hire a nanny for their daughter, they were determined to hire someone legally. However even as a labor & employment attorney, Bob spent countless hours researching the complicated federal and state statutes and regulations governing household employees. Frustratingly, no one could provide all the California and federal legal and tax information in one easy to understand place and for one flat fee. Thus, the concept of Legally Nanny was born. Bob founded the firm on the premise that people should be able to hire nannies, caregivers and other household employees legally and without unnecessary effort and expense.

Bob is a former INA Board Member and has shared his expertise as a contributing writer for INA newsletters and as a speaker at INA conferences. Bob graduated from Georgetown University Magna Cum Laude, studied at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, on a Rotary Fellowship, and received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School with Honors.Legally Nanny assists domestic employment agencies nationwide with business, dispute resolution, and labor & employment matters. Bob also serves as the General Counsel for the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) and as an expert witness in household employment litigation.

Bob and Legally Nanny have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC News, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Parenting Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, and California Lawyer Magazine. Bob also contributed to the books "How To Hire & Retain Your Household Help," "How To Hire A Nanny," and "Help!! How To Find, Hire, Train & Maintain Your Household Help."

This year marks Legally Nanny’s 10th year in business. Bob and Jennifer have come a long way since hiring their nanny and creating the spark for Legally Nanny, and they look forward to continuing to work in the household employment industry they love.

• • Praise for Bob • • • • • • • • • •

Bob is always there for anyone in the industry who is having problems with clients, contracts, Yelp - anything. He is very helpful and a genuinely nice guy to have on one's side. He gives us the tools for proper interviewing techniques, helps us write airtight contracts and supports the industry in a huge way.

Annie Davis / Agency Owner

It is not often that seasoned agencies, let alone new agencies are able to call a service professional with a question, and receive a clear knowledgeable answer rather than speculation. I believe that Bob continually serves our industry by providing just that, a well informed, accurate, and concrete answer.

Rachel Lawrence / Colleague

Cindy Augustine

Cindy Augustine has been working with children since she was a teenager. Cindy, who was born and raised in San Jose, CA. began volunteering in a daycare center when she was sixteen years old. She then worked for the YWCA West Valley Daycare’s in San Jose, CA for seven years before becoming a nanny. She loved working with children, but wanted to become a nanny to be able to care for just a couple children at a time, which allows a more one on one relationship. She was working for an amazing family in California that moved to New York for business reasons. They asked her to move to New York with them and she decided to go. Three years later when the position ended she decided to stay in New York.

Cindy’s creative talents enable her to create a fun environment for her charges. Cindy was involved in musical theatre in her teen years, performed four musicals a year with Children’s Theater of San Jose. She also has enjoyed helping out backstage when her charges take dance. She also has taught past charges to tap dance.

Cindy has worked for families facing difficult challenges, including a family that had a member with advanced cancer. One of her past employers said that her motto is “not a problem”, and that she is a favorite of other children in the neighborhood. She has been described by one of her employers as being kind, supportive, creative and always helpful.

Cindy accompanied one of her past employer’s families on a week-long vacation with another family. The other mother, a well-known writer, was so impressed with Cindy that she published an article about her. Cindy feels blessed to have had the opportunity to have worked with such amazing families and children. They all remind her everyday why she chose to be a nanny. She looks forward to the hugs she is greeted with every time she goes to work. Cindy is very proud to be a professional nanny and looks forward to the adventures that being a nanny will bring.

• • Praise for Cindy • • • • • • • • • •

Cindy is a professional nanny that represents this industry in the best possible way. She is knowledgeable, loves children, a team player and always eager to improve herself and learn. Cindy is really an asset to our industry. She is a wonderful role model and true professional.

Susan Tokayer / Agency Owner

It has been a pleasure to watch Cindy grow into a mature young lady and I am proud to have her as a friend and comrade in the business of childcare. She so easily accepts all the differences with her families and I find that to be unique. She believes in being professional as a nanny. She is very nurturing and has very high ethics. Cindy is extremely dedicated to her job. She has helped her many "kids" to grow into responsible, caring people.

Linda Davis

Currently, New York is the only state with a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. However, legislative activity is occurring at the state level that could impact the nanny industry in other jurisdictions as well.

California: This state’s Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, reintroduced as AB 241 by Assembly Member Tom Ammiano, was passed out of the Labor Committee last week and is being considered by the state’s Appropriations Committee. This bill passed the California legislature in 2012 and was vetoed by Governor Brown, citing concerns for the impact on the state’s budget (state paid home health aides were covered by the bill) and the possible negative consequences to private household employers. AB 241 would require mandatory off duty meal breaks and rest periods for domestic service workers, including nannies and senior caregivers, provide mandatory paid time off, and extend overtime protections beyond those outlined in California Wage Order 15.

Illinois: The Illinois Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights Act, SB 1708, would extend minimum wage and overtime protections for domestic service workers, require a written contract between the worker and employer, require off duty meal breaks, and paid time off. The bill would NOT cover personal care attendants and personal assistants working under the state-paid Home Services Program.

Domestic Workers' Rights advocates are also working with state legislative representatives to introduce similar bills in Massachusetts and Hawaii. Significantly, the new legislative proposals in California and Illinois expand on the New York legislation they are modeled after. New York does not require the off duty meal breaks that are so problematic in the California and Illinois proposals, and only applies to domestic service workers employed directly by a private household.

The International Nanny Association would like to wish everyone a successful National Nanny Training Day on Saturday April 20. Several of our Standard and Supporting members are sponsoring events in their area.  

• A Caring Nanny
• Trusting Connections
• The Help Company
• Westside Nannies
• Stanford Park Nannies
• Town + Country Resources
• Sitter Central Miami
• Nannies Who Care
• A Friend of the Family
• First Class Care
• Cambridge Nanny Group
• TLC For Kids
• Nannies and Housekeepers USA
• A New England Nanny
• Alexandria School
• Mom’s Best Friend-Austin
• Mom’s Best Friend- Dallas
• Morningside Nannies

Each event has various topics that would be beneficial for any nanny!  All nannies are welcomed and encouraged to particpate in a National Nanny Traning Day event!

The INA’s Nanny of the Year™ Committee would like to thank all of the nominees for their submissions.  As you will see they are all deserving of being selected as a Nanny of the Year™ nominee.  We wish to thank  eNannySource for sponsoring the NOTY ™ luncheon and  PFC Information Services, Inc  for sponsoring the 2013 Nanny of the Year™ program by providing background checks for all of the nominees.  Each nominee will be honored at the 28^th Annual INA Conference on Saturday April 13, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Introducing the
2013 INA NOTY Nominees:

Tirzah Winterton – Marietta, GA

Tirzah has worked with children for 6 years as a nanny.  Currently she cares for a special needs child and works to help him and his siblings meet all their developmental milestones while balancing their basic needs.  Tirzah has worked with North Atlanta Nanny Association and Metro Atlanta Nannies planning events, play dates and helping prepare for National Nanny Training Day.  Tirzah also spends some of her free time volunteering for many different charities both related to children and unrelated.  Her greatest joy is seeing the pride on the faces of her charges as she helps them reach the next developmental milestone in their lives.  

Tirzah was nominated by Sara Kogon who had this to say about her:  Tirzah exemplifies what a nanny should be.  She is firm, yet caring and fun with each of my children.  She engages all three of them in age appropriate ways.  She has a wonderful ability to play with each of them simultaneously.  Tirzah is truly a team player and we feel so blessed to have her as our nanny. 

Maryann Kamitian – Phoenix, AZ

After almost 15 years as a nanny Maryann has successfully made the transition from Professional Nanny to Newborn Care Specialist.  As a nanny she looked forward to every day being different and adapting to each child’s like and dislikes.  She now sees her role as NCS as a team player educating and supporting new parents with their little ones.  Her positive attitude and love for all aged children shows though in her daily work with children. 

She was nominated by Brooke Eanes who had this to say about her:  Throughout her career, Maryann has contributed to the development of the children she has cared for.  Maryann exemplifies the kind of knowledge, dedication to quality care and passion for helping families that truly talented nanny and newborn care specialist should possess.  

Karen Le Blanc – Austin TX

For Karen Le Blanc being a nanny means the opportunity to partner with families and impact their children.  It has been a privilege for her to be invited into homes and to be a part of the team dedicated to nurturing young people.  As a nanny for almost 8 years she has provided care for 5 families and 10 children.  She is an exclusive nanny for Nannies from the Heart, writing for their blog.  She recently co-founded the Community of Caregivers which works to bring together nannies, parents, teacher and other caregivers to learn about and discuss child development-related topics.

Karen was nominated by Jules and Zach Elkins who had this to say about her: She skillfully balances her own opinion and knowledge about caretaking with the preferences and needs of the family.  It is a fine balance, indeed, and may be one of Karen’s hallmark professional characteristics…being able to make use of her tremendous breadth of experience while kindly and tactfully integrating the desires and needs of the family for whom she nannies. 

Joanne Barrow – Valley Cottage, NY

Joanne feels honored to give her working life to helping families raise children for the last 22 years.  She has cared for a family struggling to overcome the loss of their mom, children whose parents were in the middle of a divorce and helped a busy single mom adopt, care for and connect with her children.  Joanne moved here from England when she was just 20 years old through an Au Pair program and has become a true professional American nanny. 

Joanne was nominated by Faith Popcorn and Glenn Kaufman who had this to say about her: (Faith) My daughter was 3 years old when she [was adopted from China] and had never heard a word of English.  Through play and everyday activities Joanne worked tirelessly with her to develop a command of the English language.  Joanne was instrumental in helping her adjust to the monumental transition.  (Glenn) She has a work ethic and proactive nature as great as any I have witnessed and both her time management and organizational skills make the countless tasks, decisions, actions, needs and changes of a typical day and substantial projects seem virtually effortless.  She anticipates and assesses situation with a level of thoughtfulness and decisiveness required to take the nanny role to a level beyond the highest of expectations.

The International Nanny Association would like
to announce that the Nanny of the Year™ for 2013 is

Joanne Barrow
Of
Valley Cottage, NY

As conference draws near, our speakers are hard at work fine-tuning their presentations.  As part of that fine-tuning, two of our speakers have requested that you submit questions that  will be addressed specifically in their interactive workshops.  We sincerely hope you will take a few minutes to send in your questions, so that these sessions will address both general and specific questions you have about the nanny industry and your business.

Bob King, of Legally Nanny, will be presenting: Legal Update for 2013 & Answers To Your Questions About The Law, Your Agency, Nannies, And Your Clients.  Bob would like to ask those with questions to please send them via e-mail, with the subject line “INA Conference”, to info@legallynanny.com .

Jessica Friedman of TLC for Kids Inc., St Louis, will be presenting the workshop: Let’s Collaborate and Improve our Businesses! Recruiting, Interviewing, Screening and Marketing.  Jessica would like to ask that questions about how to improve your business in these areas be e-mailed to her at Jessica@TLCforkids.com with the subject line “INA Conference Workshop Question”.  Later this month, INA will also be sending out a voluntary questionnaire with specific questions Jessica would like to poll her audience on prior to conference.

Thank you for your participation in helping customize these workshops specifically to your needs.

Is this your first time attending INA’s annual conference?  Has it been a while since you came or would you just like to connect with a veteran INA attender before conference?  We also want to encourage coming to the Conference Orientation, for first time attendees or new to INA, on Friday Night before the Opening Reception.  Check your program for location and time. 

This year we have opened a private Facebook group to encourage discussion and community before we even arrive in Louisville.  Please search for the group “2013 INA Conference” on Facebook and ask to join at this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/414774008615556/.  We are having some great discussions already.

2013 Conference Guides

This year we have asked a group of nannies, agency owners and newborn care specialists who have been to several INA conferences to be our “2013 Conference Guides.”  Each of the guides know a good deal about INA and are very resourceful in finding answers.  They can answer many of your questions and if they don’t have a solution they will help you figure out where to go.  To sign up for this service please contact Marcia Hall by March 31^st.  Please provide her with the following: your full name, email and phone number as well as how you identify yourself (nanny, NCS, agency or business.)  Your guide will be matched with you and then reach out to you via email or phone at least 1 week before conference starts to get to know you. 

At conference you will notice these guides because they will have a different color name badge setting them apart as guides.  If you have a question, they are willing to try to answer or point you in the right direction. 

Group Dinner Outings

When the receptions or workshops end, some attendees find themselves wondering what they will do for dinner. This year, our conference guides will be organizing groups of attendees to go out for dinner. This is a great way to network with others and meet new people.  The guides will be taking groups of around 10 people to a restaurant within walking distance.  You may choose any group to go with for dinner, no need to stay with your guide unless you would like to.  The restaurants are listed below with the price points, distance and if there is a discount offered for conference attenders.  You will just need to show your INA Conference badge.  You will find a complete list of locations that offer discounts in your registration packet at conference.  If you choose to not go out with these groups, I hope you still find the information below helpful. 

There will be sign-ups for the meals on Friday and Saturday nights.  You can sign-up at conference on Friday at the orientation and welcome reception.  I will also be allowing limited preregistration before conference starts.  Contact Marcia with your  Name, email, which night you are choosing, restaurant choice and phone number.  We hope that you will be able to go with your first choice however if you find you will no longer able to go, please contact Marcia Hall ASAP so she can be sure to open up that group spot.

There will be a few groups going out Sunday after the closing reception as well but will be far more impromptu.  If you would like to go out to dinner with one of the groups Sunday night please be in the lobby no later than 7:45PM to meet up with the groups.   

Marcia Hall
Inanoty2011@hotmail.com
414-241-7322

Restaurants are all within 1 or two block of the Hyatt in the 4^th Street Live area. www.4thstlive.com

Saturday night

Ri Ra Irish Pub
$8-$16 entrée’s
20% of food with your Conference Badge
Reservation at 6:30pm
Lead by Mary O’Connor

Quatto (Italian)
12 spaces
$15-$23 entrée’s
No discount
Reservation at 6:30pmLead by Clelie Bourne

Sully’s Restaurant and Saloon
10 spaces
$9-$22 entrée’s
25% off food with your Conference Badge
Reservation at 6:30pm
Lead by Amanda Schultz

Other Restaurants nearby:

• Tengo Sed Cantina
• The Sports and Social Club
• Hard Rock Café

GTM Payroll Services is excited to award

New INA Member Jessie Biggs
a 2013 INA Conference Registration

And

Sustaining INA Member Beth Ham
a 2013 Conference Registration

To our 28th Annual Conference.

Remember that early bird registration closes this FridayMarch 15, 2013.  Register now  We hope to see you April 12 -15,2013 in Louisville, Kentucky for the 28^th Annual Conference.   

By: Bob King, Esq.
Legally Nanny

Hi there fellow INA members! We are excited to provide our annual legal update and take audience questions again this year at the INA conference.

March 7 –March 11, 2013

Early bird registration comes to a close on Friday March 15, 2013 for the 28th Annual INA Conference, have you been debating on coming? Our friends at GTM Payroll Services want to send two INA members to this year’s conference in Louisville, Kentucky April 12-15, 2013.

One registration will go to a new member (who joined after June 1, 2012) and one registration will go to a sustaining member (who joined prior to June 1, 2012).

To enter, simply go to the tab under the fan page header picture on the INA Facebook page or the GTM Payroll Facebook Page that says “Giveaway”. The giveaway will be open on Thursday March 7, 2013 at 12:00 PM EST till Monday March 11, 2013 at 11:00 AM EST. You have up to 10 possible entries with a few that are mandatory.

Winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter and announced on the INA Blog by Wednesday March 13, 2013. If chosen, you may transfer to another INA member, but they must be a member by the time of the drawing on Monday March 11, 2013 at 11:00am EST. The International Nanny

The INA Membership Conference Endowment was developed as a way to recognize our members for their dedication to the in-home child care industry.

Through the 2013 INA Membership Conference Endowment, which will run February 15 – March 1, 2013, INA is pleased to offer full conference registration (a $295 value) to four INA members. Two full conference registrations will be given to those in the business category and two, in the caregiver category.

Started in 2011, the INA Member Conference Endowment secured its initial funding from half of all monies raised through the 2011 INA Annual Conference 50/50 raffle. INA is pleased to continue earmarking half of all monies raised in future Annual Conference 50/50 raffles to the INA Member Conference Endowment fund. As tradition, the other half of all monies raised will continue to go towards supporting a local children’s charity in the city where INA's Annual Conference is held. The charity for this year’s Annual Conference is Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS). The mission of VIPS is to offer appropriate services to infants, toddlers and preschoolers who are visually impaired or blind, and to their families. The goal is to maximize each child’s developmental potential through direct services, advocacy and community education. Find out more about VIPS by visiting their website www.vips.org .

By Susan Tokayer
INA Co-President

I have become so aware lately of the importance of first impressions, especially in our respective professions. In our industry, where the public, unfortunately, is hearing the generally negative stories that involve nannies, clients have become even more nervous and cautious in their search for a nurturing, trusted caregiver for their children.

In addition to families being cautious, they often seem to have little time to devote to their search. This combination is one of the reasons why first impressions count so much. For nanny agencies, the manner in which the phone is answered, the appearance of the website, meeting one of the nannies you’ve placed, and the attractiveness of your storefront, are all ways a potential client may be introduced to your agency. For nannies, it may be a resume, an interview, or a phone conversation that is the first contact a potential employer has with you.

As we begin a new year I encourage everyone to take a fresh look at what you convey in a first impression. In these times, where the job market is very competitive and the competition amongst nannie agencies is fierce, remember that you have just seconds to impress someone.

It isn’t a bad idea to ask a couple of friends or colleagues to look at your business material, or conduct a mock job interview with you. Getting other people’s feedback is invaluable as you try to assess what is working for you and what needs to be adjusted. Like a hair style that we’ve worn for many years; it may no longer work for us, but we stick with it because it’s familiar and we really don’t think much about it on a day-to-day basis. Then, your stylist suggests a new ’do, and voila, you look and feel renewed! Not to mention all the people who notice and comment on the great new look.

So, in this first quarter of 2013, I encourage all of you to review and renew!

By Kellie Geres
INA Board of Directors Nominating Committee Chair

Having served on the INA Board of Directors for 10 years, and now as the current INA Board of Directors Nominating Committee chair, I understand the importance of serving on the board of directors and what the INA board does for our membership, organization and industry.

Each year the nominating committee strives to bring the membership a ballot of nominees who will serve the organization to its fullest and meet or exceed the qualifications required to be eligible to serve on the board of directors.

Once the nominees are accepted, a voting ballot is presented to the INA membership to cast their votes. Each year, a minimum number of votes are required from the membership to qualify each election. Each year it is a struggle to secure those votes.

As committee chair, it is my goal to answer some common questions and dispel some myths about the nomination process, as well as to encourage each member to cast their vote when the ballot comes out in March.

Who qualifies as a board of directors nominee?

Any individual, standard or supporting member of INA can serve on the INA Board of Directors. Independent supporters are not eligible to serve. Staff members of an agency member are also not eligible to serve, unless they hold their own membership. While it is not necessary, it is strongly recommended that nominees have attended at minimum one conference, and have been involved in an INA committee. Members can nominate themselves, or individual names can be given to the committee and they will be contacted to see if they are interested in serving on the board.

What is the nomination process?

Potential nominees fill out the official board of directors’ nomination packet. Each nominee is asked a series of questions based on their INA involvement, skills they may bring to the board, prior board experience, and what contribution they will bring to the association.  Nominees also provide references, only one of which can be an INA member. The nominating committee then interviews each applicant and their references and makes the final determinations as to which candidates will appear on the ballot.

As former board members, the nominating committee knows the qualities one must have to serve on the board successfully, and the committee presents a slate to the membership that it feels meets the needs of the organization. We have declined applications from nominees for lack of experience and lack of knowledge of the association.

Why should you vote?

Voting is your right and privilege. Voting gives members the opportunity to select who you want representing you as an organization. From the candidates presented, members can select all or just the ones you wish to have your vote count for. If a nominee does not get the minimum number of votes required (50), they are not eligible to serve on the board. So just being on the ballot does not ensure they will be elected and serve the association. For this reason INA requests that all members vote.

Not familiar with the nominees?

We are limited by space in the information we can provide you with on each nominee. We strive to bring you the most important facts about each nominee, but if you wish to know more about a nominee, we encourage you to contact that nominee directly with your questions.

Is the board made up of different types of members, or is it predominantly nannies or agencies?

The current board has very balanced representation. The co-presidents of INA are Becky Kavanagh, a nanny with 20+ years’ experience, and Susan Tokayer, an agency owner for more than 18 years. There are also two other nannies serving on the board, one newborn care specialist, and one industry service partner. So of eight current board positions, four are held by caregivers, and four are held by business owners.

So once elected, what does the INA Board of Directors do for the association?

The INA Board of Directors serves the association and its membership. Some of their recent actions include: approving the Spanish translation of Beyond Parenting Basics; approving the INA Service Award Pin Program; approving the INA Conference Endowment Fund; approving the nanny.org website restructuring; creating a clearinghouse of information and resources for nannies, employers and the public to learn from; approving the Job Board on nanny.org; and much, much more.

I hope this answers some concerns you may have about the upcoming election, and will allow you to take a few moments to cast your vote for the 2013-2015 INA Board of Directors, voting ends Friday, February 22 at 11:59PM (EST).

The International Nanny Association (INA) has learned about an individual with a criminal past being hired as a nanny in Austin, Texas.  A KXAN newscast concerning this individual did find a pattern of criminal behavior that was not discovered prior to being hired to care for a child.   The child involved in this case was not harmed, but we are reminded for the need to conduct a thorough background check on all individuals that are being considered to care for our family members.

The INA has worked to professionalize the nanny industry by setting high standards for industry professionals and nanny agencies.    These standards include recommended practices for background screenings.   By conducting a thorough background check, agencies and families that hire nannies can easily find patterns of misbehavior or an actual criminal history.  In addition, it is very important to check with a prospective individual’s previous employers and references to ensure the individual is a good fit.

Running background checks on individuals cost money and take a little time, but extensive precautions must be taken when hiring an individual to care for your loved ones.

Learn more about our Recommended Practices for Background Screenings

by Alice Shaffer
INA Board of Director
INA Conference Donation Chair & Raffle Queen

Our 28^th Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky is in two months and you have arranged to have the time off; you have been looking for airfare and you are ready to register.  Did you know that there are ways to have your registration fee paid for?

INA Member and the 1991 Nanny of the Year (NOTY), Glenda Propst, of Nanny Transitions is giving away ONE conference registration to ONE nanny.  Entry dates are February 1-15, 2013.  You can find all the details on this link.  

On February 15, 2013, the second Annual INA Member conference endowment will open to all members of INA who are businesses or caregivers.  This endowment awards two caregivers and two businesses a conference registration fee to attend the 2013 conference.  All details will be announced on February 15, 2013 on the INA 2013 conference page.  So make sure you check back and submit your entry.  Businesses, this is a great opportunity for you to bring along a staff member or a caregiver with you at a no registration fee cost.  All submissions must be received by March 1, 2013.

After you have submitted your entries, don’t forget INA Member and the 2008 NOTY Donna Robinson’s “Mad Money” contest. This year she is joined by INA members  Marni Kent (NOTY 2002), along with the development team of Regarding Nannies  Alice Shaffer and Kellie Geres (NOTY 1997) to give away FOUR $50 cash prizes.   For more details please see Donna’s blog post here.  All entries must be received by April 1, 2013.

By Alice Shaffer
INA Board of Director. INA Raffle Queen
Regarding Nannies Development Team Member

It is finally 2013, and the INA Annual Conference is almost here!  It’s time to start looking for a great deal on airfare.  It is also time to discuss the conference with your employers and request time off to attend.  This year we have a different format; we will be starting later in the day on Friday and ending Sunday evening around 7:30pm. Make sure you have the correct dates and times  before you book your airfare.

I found deals on airfares from the Washington DC area that leave several times on Thursday April 11 and on Monday April 15, 2013.  The fares range from $204 to $248! These prices include nonstop flights! The airfares I found from other locations are on the Airfarewatchdog site.  These prices are based on departing on Thursday, April 11 and returning Monday, April 15, 2013.

Airlines Flying to Louisveille, Kentucky

The airlines that fly into Louisville, KY (SDF) airport are US Airways, American Airlines, Frontier, Delta, Southwest and United Airlines.  There are new direct routes from Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, GA and New York airports on Southwest airlines. 

You are probably wondering how to find the best airline deal to get to Louisville, Kentucky, right?  There are a few websites that you can utilize.   I suggest using all of them because they each offer different deals.   You can get alerts emailed to you  from all of them.  Some of the sites even provide smartphone apps to get messages sent directly to your phone.

• Yapta: You can sign up for airfare alerts. They even alert you when your flight price drops below what you paid and you can sometimes get a refund. Airfarewatchdog You can sign up for airfare alerts.
• Kayak You can track and book flights on this site.  They do not show flights on Southwest Airlines however, you will need to go directly to their website.
• Hipmunk You can look at various price points for airfare. They even have a live Help Online chat, if needed.Airfare Tracker/Booking sites:

by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

This is it, you have spent the last 6 weeks engulfed in this project and you are about to finish it. This week you will want to gather all your documents making sure you have each and every part you need.

You will need to submit a photograph of yourself (no children in photo) that is no larger than 4x6 inches. This is a great week to get that done.  You do not need to send it with your porflio but it does make a nice cover for the front.

Remember there are strict Submission Guidelines on pages 13- 15 of the 2013 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet.

You need to adhere to the guidelines when it comes to number of words and pages. Be sure to put them in order and make them look professionally appealing. You might want to create pages with section headings so it is easy to distinguish each section of the portfolio. Here is the basic outline.

Section 1: Cover Letter
Section 2: Pages 1&3 of the Nomination Form AND Pages 1-3 of the Application Form
Section 3: Essay Questions from Page 2 of the Nomination Form
Section 4: Essay Questions from Page 3 of the Application Form
Section 5: Professional History

A. Work History
B. Certificates and Documentation
C. Publications and Presentations (if you have these)
D. Media Appearances and Awards (if you have these)

Section 6: Written Letters of Reference
Section 7: Photo Journal (Optional)
Section 8: Certification Form

Four copies of everything will need to be made. If you have a printer you can do this at home but you can also take all the documents to an office store and have them print or copy what is needed. After that is done, check it twice and check it a third time. Maybe you even want to have someone else look at it all again. But when you are ready take all four copies to the office supply store and ask them to bind it with a spiral plastic cover.

You will want to mail the four portfolios on or BEFORE January 15, 2013. Make sure you have tracking on the package, in case something crazy happens. The first year I was nominated, I had to redo all the printing and binding because my package got lost. It would have been easy to find it if I had put a tracking number on it. Learn from my mistake.

You then mail the four portfolios to:

International Nanny Association
P.O BOX 12347
Wilmington, NC 28405

Next, go and celebrate your accomplishment for completing the 2013 Nanny of the Year nomination process.  We will contact you for an interview and speak to your references.  If you are chosen you will be notified before conference so that you can prepare. 

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Portfolio Process

• Week One
• Week Two
• Week Three
• Week Four
• Week Five
• Week Six

By Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

You have made it this far! Your portfolio is almost complete! Hopefully you are feeling a little less stressed about the NOTY portfolio process. This is the big week for EDITING, EDITING and more EDITING. I cannot stress enough how important editing is to the application process. You have until now spent hours writing, re-writing and then editing these documents.

This is what has been completed so far:

1.  Essay questions from the 2013 Nanny of the Year Award Packet
2.  Your cover letter
3.  Work history
4.  Copied Certificates and Documents
5.  Explanations of publications & presentations
6.  Any media appearances & awards.

Many words have been written, erased, edited and spell checked. These words have been "seen" by you numerous times. Your brain might be completing sentences without even reading then on the paper. This happens a lot with all the writing one does for the application process. There are probably things that have been missed, as you have been working on this for the past 6 weeks. This is where you want someone else that you trust and know that is good at editing take a look at your paperwork.

Having others edit and review your portfolio is important as it could make or break your portfolio if you miss this small but important step of reviewing and editing. Ask them to have it back to you in a few days.

Now for something fun for your portfolio. Your Photo Journal. This is not a requirement but can be a fun part of the application process. Everyone loves to look at pictures. You can't go too crazy because this section is limited to 3 pages. Try to get a few pictures of you with your charges. You will need to make sure that you have written permission from the parents of any children in the pictures before you include them in your portfolio.

By the end of this week you should have in your possession:

• All the letters from your former employers for the “Letters of Recommendation” section
• A completed "Nomination Form from the person that is nominating you
• A fully signed “Certification Form”
• All of your edited documents listed above
• Your photo journal (if you wish)

Make sure to review them and be sure they fit the limits on word counts and that everything is answered.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Portfolio Process

• Week One
• Week Two
• Week Three
• Week Four
• Week Five

By Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

This week you will finish the professional history segment of your portfolio. This is found on page 14 of the nomination packet. This includes:

1.  "Certificates and Documents"
2.  "Publications and Presentations"
3.  "Media Appearances and Awards."

You may or may not be able to complete all the pages allowed for these sections. Don't worry if some of these do not apply to you. Not all NOTY's have had them.

In Certificates and Documents include copies of documentation of any extra classes that you took that are not associated with degrees you listed previously. Certificates from INA Annual Conferences attended, local nanny support groups, agencies or other nanny training sessions can be included. Certificates or proof that you took additional continuing education classes through a local community college that was related to children and/or child development can also be included.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Portfolio Process

• Week One
• Week Two
• Week Three
• Week Four

by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

You are almost halfway done with the legwork of your portfolio. This week we will focus on your professional history, which is the longest part of the application. You don't want to do this part all at once, so we will break it up into manageable parts.

Start with your Work History because it will take a whole week to complete. Review page 15 of the nomination packet and focus on Section 5 - Work History. Make sure your explanation of each job answers the questions the application asks. Your work history is like your resume on steroids. Include all the jobs you have had in your lifetime that involve working with children. Start making a list of your past child care jobs and make sure you have the dates you held each job. Explain what your duties were in each position and how it changed over the time you were there. Include what made each job unique or challenging and share why you are no longer there (unless you still are there). Talk about your relationship with the children and your employers.

Please note that the page limit requirements have changed for this section. You now do not need to stay within a certain number of pages for each subsection of the Professional History. You do however need to stay within 23 pages for the entire Professional History section.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Portfolio Process

• Week One
• Week Two
• Week Three

Donna Robinson
NOTY 2008

What year were you NOTY? 2008

Are you still a member of INA? Yes

What do you remember about your application process?

For many years specialty nannies could not be nominated. But as our numbers grew, someone recognized we put in the hours, just in a different way, and should be eligible. I had a few clients who said they would nominate me over the years (they liked reading my INA vision that I would leave on the counter) and I would explain I wasn't eligible. When it was available, it wasn't a good year for me but the next year, I said yes. It was a very hard thing for me to do. I don't know how others feel but it felt "conceited" to think I should be a nanny of the year. I could look around the profession and name off ten more deserving people! Plus, who would accept a specialty nanny? It was excruciating hard for me to ask others for their recommendations. Most of my clients are busy women and I get "of course I will write you a reference" but never get to it but tell me, "just have them call me! I love to talk about you!" so my list of written references were short. I had to call these women and finally say "I really need it in writing now!". That may sound simple to most but for me, who understands giving but has a hard time in receiving; it was a tug of will power to get it done.

I was also confused at times as to what they wanted to know in the application questions. Sometimes it seemed to me they were asking the same thing. I mark this down to my tendency to over think details. At that time, there wasn't anyone in place to ask questions and I wasn't completely clear on what the final product should look like. I called up a few friends who had been past NOTY and they gave me some insight. Finally, I just decided to do my best and put it in a format that was easy to read.

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally?

On a personal level there are two areas that impacted how I thought about the profession and how I saw myself. The first and one of my fondest memory of the NOTY award began on the day I gave my speech to this wonderful sisterhood of nannies who shared their love with me as they stood up at the end of my speech and applauded. At that moment, I had no doubt they accepted me with love. One of my gifts was a big purse/bag with INA’s 2008 NOTY on it. That year I would carry that bag everywhere. Whether it was a crowded NYC subway or airports around the world, people would comment on the bag and ask what INA was and this thing called NOTY? I had an opportunity to share our world with strangers and it always lifted me one step higher to know I had a rare opportunity to share our world.

The second area was as a travel nanny I depend on steady repeat business. I was surprised to see how my receiving this award was almost as exciting to my clients as it was to me. I guess I just never realized that people cared about me and loved to see me rewarded for my hard work. You might think what you do is taken for granted but when they heard I had received this award, they reinforced that my work was important. I would go back to visit or do a job with them and their friends would come over to meet me! In the "back of my brain" I guess I knew I was respected but I was just taken by surprise by how this award made my clients feel important because after all, they hired me!

Professional impact was huge. Two things cross my mind in terms of how the NOTY impacted my career.

I had dedicated the first page of my website (www.thetravelingnanny.com) to the award as I know my page gets reviewed and I wanted the "outside" world to know this award existed and it was also a way to give a special thanks to my nominating family, James and Wendy Agah. Most of my jobs now come from referrals and it does impact how they view me at first glance. For those new jobs that come from the site each year, it educates them about the profession of a travel nanny.

When I decided due to some events in my life to drop the temporary nanny part of my job and do only newborns and travel, I was worried if this would be enough to keep me busy. When you step out and take a big risk, it's a bit scary. But I think the NOTY gave me great insight into how to "step out and take a risk" and that courage comes back to me now when I am faced with a decision. I put this to the test when I decided to start a new newborn website (www.ohbabynewborncare.com) to separate the travel from newborn care. I had a vision of what I wanted to do that would be a little different than the norm and appeal to a certain type of clientele. I'm used to my ideas sounding "different" to others but this was a little more risky as I tried to carve a different niche for this part of the industry. The NOTY award gave me credibility and gave this new venture a boost.

The travel portion was blown out of the water when an Australian client Googled "travel nanny" and found me. He said the NOTY award caught his eye and made him want to read more about me.

Another new client from Dubai who was traveling to the US with his wife, 6 month old son and two couples.saw the site and very nervous about hiring someone he hasn't met and I know the NOTY award kept our negotiations strong.

Judging by the new clients, I really feel the NOTY award has Google keeping my site in the top 10 for traveling nannies.

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination?

Don't procrastinate, don't over think it! It's not conceited to think about your contributions. It's not greedy to think you deserve recognition if only from your supporters. It doesn't matter if you stand up on that stage as a nominee or the recipient of the award--trust me, at that moment you have a portfolio loaded with acclamations of your worth. You will feel the honor of just standing there in front of your friends. .

If you have ever looked at the NOTY portfolio that is on view during the award weekend, you will have noticed how diverse this group of nannies are and how different their styles are in writing and presenting themselves. I had never looked at the portfolio that close before the award so I really had no idea what it was "supposed" to look like and maybe that was good. It is suppose to represent "you", how you think, feel and view your nanny world. You are unique so why should your portfolio look like anyone else's? Some portfolios are very business and professional looking and some like mine, are more folksy and casual.

Remember there are now NOTY mentors who can help guide you if you are unsure of a question or how to present your information.

I had a unique experience that I want to share with you in case you decide to go for it and this situation occurs for you.

I was with a client in NJ when the phone rang and I was told I had received the award. Wow, we were all excited! Some of that excitement was quickly deflated when I found out the other person that had applied had to pull out for personal reasons. "You mean I'm it? I'm the default winner?!"

To be honest, I wanted to rescind. It was hard enough being the first specialty nanny to receive the award--I was still too insecure to know how that would be received. But to be the only one? I had never seen anyone on stage by themselves! Becky Kavanaugh and others tried to reassure me that I was thinking of this all wrong--that if I wasn't qualified I would not have been accepted. My nominating client put it all in perspective as she lectured me "it was about the quality of my work, not others and I had to remember that everyone had the same opportunity to enter as I did and I should not feel bad if they didn't." It took some soul searching to let go of my own pride, think of what the award stood for and accept.

If you are the recipient--you will indeed experience a "high" that you have never felt before from your profession. AND even if you find you are standing on that stage alone, you deserve it and everyone in that audience could have been standing with you too but they chose to applaud you this year instead...Enjoy it...

What is the most important thing your nanny career taught you?

Patience, Perseverance, Pride in doing a job well regardless of the circumstances and most of all faith in the goodness of people. I know how hard the job is and I no longer do it every day 50 hours a week. When I see nannies from every city I visit doing an outstanding job with the next generation, I feel for a brief moment, all is right with the world.

What have you been doing in the years since NOTY?

My travel portion of my business has picked up in unusual ways and for the first time I have had the opportunity to vist a country after my client left and invite my husband to share it with me. I am trying to include more personal time exploring and taking only the jobs I really want to take and even passing jobs on to others if I really don't think it's right for me. Sounds easy but in this business, you never know if there are any jobs down the road so you are always worried about passing over a job.

Starting the newborn site from scratch was a challenge. I didn't want to compete with the great NCS already out there so gave a lot of thought as to what niche wasn't really covered. My heart is part doula and part NCS. I am still working on details, have had to deal with the pain of letting someone go and readjusting my goals. I have become a better business person due to the hardships and once again think the NOTY helped me to stand strong and be just a bit fearless.

Any other information you’d like to share?

Thanks to the NOTY award, I feel 100% part of the profession. I get to talk to nannies all over the US and meet them as I travel. I am always in awed of anyone who can do this 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year and at the end of that year, tired, maybe even a bit discouraged over a problem in the job, can still say, "I love what I do".

by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

This week you will write your Cover Letter. This is the letter that will be at the beginning of the portfolio telling the NOTY committee why you are deserve or should be the 2013 Nanny of the Year. For a lot of nannies this is the most difficult part of the nomination process. It was for me. We are asking you to sell your abilities and strengths and tell us not only why you are a great nanny, but why you would make a great example to all professional nannies. As nannies, we tend to want to underplay what we are capable of, our assets and our contributions to those around us and in the nanny field. We spend so much time caring for others and helping to mold them into great human beings we often forget how great WE are as human beings and we rarely know how to tell people about it. This is where you want to share how you "shine" as a great person and nanny.

Tips for writing your Cover Letter:

Review page 13 of the nomination packet. Pump yourself up. Read through your letters of recommendation from the past and present. Ask friends and family what qualities and assets you bring to them and others. Make sure to talk the person who has nominated you and ask them why you are the 2032 NOTY. Don't be shy. Give yourself credit and shine for the person you are. Make sure you answer the questions on page 13 and stay within the one page limit.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Portfolio Process

• Week 1
• Week 2

Wilmington, NC (November 27, 2012) – A recent New York Times article titled “A Study of Home Help Finds Low Pay” discusses a research study of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Center for Urban Economic Development, University of Illinois at Chicago Data Center focused on compensation paid to household employees.

Unfortunately, much of the information in the article about labor law was misrepresented.  The INA sincerely hopes that the New York Times will correct these errors and set the record straight.  INA believes it is a disservice to all domestic service workers, including its nanny members, for the NYT to allow these misstatements to stand, as this contributes to the very workplace abuses the study attempts to address.

Below is correct information regarding current household worker labor protections.

1. The article states “Domestic workers are covered neither by federal minimum wage laws nor by most states’ minimum wage laws.” This is factually incorrect. Domestic workers have been covered by Federal minimum wage laws, which form the national floor, since the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was amended in 1974. The facts are that domestic service workers are non-exempt hourly employees entitled to minimum wage protections at the Federal and state level. There is a narrow exemption for “companionship care” for the aged and infirm. This means that nannies, maids and housekeepers are both protected by the FLSA and have the right to file Wage and Hour grievances with their state’s Wage and Hour board, a division of each state’s Department of Labor, if their employer is not paying the agreed rate per hour (at or above the applicable minimum hourly wage) for all hours on duty.
   
   The FLSA also extends overtime protections to covered domestic workers who do not live in the employers’ residence.
2. The article further states that domestics are “generally not covered” by the unemployment compensation system, which is also factually inaccurate. Domestic service workers are covered by unemployment insurance, and their employers have the legal obligation to report wages paid and pay unemployment taxes at the state and Federal level. Any worker, including domestic  service workers, who is not legally eligible to work in the United States, is excluded by law from these benefits. This means that U.S. citizens, green card holders and aliens working with valid US work authorization (EAD) are protected by unemployment compensation.
3. The NY Times piece also claims that domestic workers are not covered under Workers’ Compensation. This is only true in some states, as Workers’ Compensation coverage standards are determined at the state level. Twenty-two states mandate Workers’ Compensation coverage for domestic service workers, including New York, California, Massachusetts, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

The INA publishes an annual survey of nanny compensation, http://www.nanny.org/document.doc?id=80 ,the results of which differ dramatically from those presented by the study quoted by the NY Times”

By Guy Maddalone,
Founder and CEO of GTM Payroll Services Inc.

You probably have been hearing a lot about this “Fiscal Cliff” in the media this week.   America has a big problem!   After years of bailouts, overspending and tax breaks, those habits are catching up with us.

So according to the National Federation of Small Business, if the tax provisions expire at the end of 2012, Americans may see:

1. $500 billion in tax increases impacting 90% of Americans
2. 1.8% decrease in wages
3. 2.4% decrease in investments
4. 710,000 fewer jobs
5. Increase in unemployment rate from 7.9% to 9% by the end of 2013
6. $200 billion hit to the economy

So how could not dealing with provisions that expire at the end of 2012 impact nanny agencies?

1. As a small businesses owner:

a. If your business is categorized as a pass-through entity (business income is reported on individual tax return), you will face an increase in individual tax rates; rates will increase to 15% (now 10%), 28% (now 25%), 31% (now 28%), 36% (now 33%) and 39.6% (now 35%).
b. Expensing limits under Section 179 will fall back to $25,000 from the current limit of $500,000, and real property will no longer be included.
c. The start-up deduction for businesses will be reduced from $10,000 to $5,000.
d. There will no longer be a 50% bonus depreciation on qualified capital investments.
e. The provision in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 allowing self-employed business owners to deduct the cost of health insurance for themselves and their family in their self-employment tax will permanently disappear.
f. The itemized deduction for state and local sales taxes will be eliminated.

2. As an employer:

a. The employee share of the Social Security payroll tax would revert to 6.2 percent from 4.2 percent, resulting in less take home pay for your employee who will also see the pinch.
b. Increased taxes on small business may lead employer to consider hiring delays or layoffs.

3. An agency’s clients?

a. Individual Income tax

i. Individual tax rates will increase to 15% (now 10%), 28% (now 25%), 31% (now 28%), 36% (now 33%) and 39.6% (now 35%).
ii. Dividends would be taxed as ordinary income (not the capital gain rate).
iii. Capital gains rates for assets held longer than a year would increase from 15% to 20%.
iv. An estimated 31 million additional taxpayers would be required to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax (only 4 million owed it in 2011).
v. Employees would begin paying a higher payroll tax (increase of 4.2% to 6.2%).

b. Plus for taxpayers who have children:

i. The per-child tax credit would revert to $500 from its current level of $1,000 and would cease to be refundable.
ii. Expansions of the earned income tax credit, the dependent care credit and the adoption credit would expire.
iii. Clients may be forced to reduce the level of services they rely on you for as a result of these rate increases and cuts.

Please note that as an agency owner, employer and individual taxpayer, this “fiscal cliff” has real impacts on you, as well as your clients (who could also be owners of small businesses themselves).

by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY^TM

This week you will work on the Application and Nomination Forms of the portfolio.

1. Fill out the Application Form
2. Start answering your essay questions from the Application Form.
3. Give to your nominator the Nomination Form as well as the Certification Form.
4. Give your nominator a firm deadline when they will get it all back to you.

If you have not already done so, print out 2013 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet .  Pages 7-9 are the Application Form.  Work on a test copy of this form, then write out the real one.  This will help you make it neat and clean and will also help you catch any misspellings.

Within the Application Form are 6 essay questions for you to answer.  This week you will want to start writing these.  There are maximum word requirements for these questions but you will not really need to worry about them right away.  For now, just write. 

You will eventually be typing these essays and you will also want to get several opinions on the content, spelling, punctuation and grammar of your work.  Computers don’t catch everything so it is important to have several “fresh” pairs of eyes looking at your essays. I had several people review my essays and it was very helpful.

Take and sign the Certification Form on Page 11 of the 2013 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet .    Give the person nominating you the signed Certification Form and the Nomination Form (pages 5-7) making sure that you give them a firm deadline when you will need it.  I recommend asking for it 2 weeks before you need it because things almost always come up.  Since this year’s deadline is Jan 15^th and you will want a week to gather everything, I would ask for them by Dec 30^th. 

The Nomination form also has several questions for the person nominating you to answer.  Ask them to have the questions typed and remind them of the maximum word counts.  They should be giving you back the

• Certification Form signed
• page 1 and 3 of the Nomination Form
• Copy (file or hard copy) of the questions from page 2 of the form. 

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Application Process

• Week 1 of NOTY Portfolio Process

by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY^TM

Being Nanny of the Year™(NOTY™) can sound a little intimating and overwhelming to apply for.  I am here to let you know that it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  I won’t mislead you, it does take time to apply.  I am here to help assist you and those that might nominate you to “tackle” the application process in 7 weeks. The deadline to submit your Nanny of the Year Portfolios is January 15, 2013.   Each week I will share with you steps on what you should be doing that week.  If at any point you come to the nomination process with less time available, the 7 week application process breakdown should be able to give you a guide on completing the packet.

Remember if you are interested, we do have Nanny of the Year Mentors available.  They are able to help answer your questions about the NOTY program and other items.  If you would like to be matched up with a Mentor please contact INA Membership Services Office by phone at 888.878.1477 or by email at admin@nanny.org .  Please include “NOTY Mentor” in the subject line of your email.

Week 1 of NOTY Portfolio Process
by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY^TM

I suggest getting a folder for the NOTY^TM process so that you can keep all your papers and notes together.  You will also want to print out the 2013 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet for reference during the coming weeks.

1. Read through the  2013 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet in its entirety.
2. Verify your eligibility to be nominated for NOTY.
3. Begin gathering NOTY refrences.

There will also be responsibilities as NOTY that will be occurring before, during and after the annual conference. These are on page 2-4 of the 2013 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet You should be able to fulfill these responsibilities with enthusiasm and professionalism. Some of these responsibilities are

• A commitment to attend the INA conference in 2013 regardless if you receive the award or not.
• Prepare and deliver a speech during the Nanny of the Year luncheon at the conference.
• Be available to answer questions about NOTY throughout the 2013-2014 year.
• Be knowledgeable in all aspects and areas of INA.

Some nannies may be a little frightened or nervous of speaking in public, you are not alone as there have been   NOTY’s  that have not been comfortable with this aspect of the award.  The speech the new NOTY gives is however long (within reason) or short as the NOTY wants it to be.  This is your chance to share your experience as a Professional Nanny, tell stories about your charges and share your expertise a little.  

Every NOTY’s experience has been unique and different.  The person in that position brings to the award who and what she (or he) is.  Conference month (April 2013) and the following month (May 2013) are probably the most exciting and hectic times.  The rest of the year generally is low key.  Getting to share with people that you are NANNY OF THE YEAR can be lots of fun as well getting to explain what you do for a living and what the International Nanny Association does is a blast.

Finally this week you should begin gathering glowing reference letters.  You may have reference letters that you use in your job interview portfolio but the letters for your NOTY portfolio should be slightly different. This is where you want your reference letters to share with people why you are the “Nanny of the Year” to these families.

• Get 4-5 past employers to write a reference letter sharing why you are their “NOTY”.
• Make sure you give them a firm deadline. Remember the holidays are coming up so the sooner you ask and set the deadline, the less chaotic it will be later on you.

You will need at least 2 weeks before the January 15, 2013 deadline to put together your NOTY portfolio for submission.

Come back next week for Week 2 of the NOTY Application Process.

Greta Schraer

What year were you NOTY? 2010

Are you still a member of INA? Yes 

What do you remember about your application process? It took a lot longer than I expected, but it was so rewarding receiving my reference letters! 

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally? It was so rewarding to be acknowledged in the category with so many amazing nannies. It also gave me a platform to talk with people about the nanny profession and the INA. 

What is your fondest memory during your reign of NOTY? I remember the standing ovation after giving me acceptance speech, which is something you never think that you will see. 

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination? Though the award is wonderful, the most important thing is the responsibility that you have for the year of your reign. You have the opportunity to give and represent the industry. 

What is the most important thing your nanny career taught you? What you do matters in the life of a young person. You have the opportunity to build into a child's character. To encourage, love and empower kids to impact the world. 

What have you been doing in the years since NOTY? I have continued to nanny and direct our local nanny community, CincyNanny. I also have become a mother, which is probably the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced! 

MaryAnn X. Meddish 

What year were you NOTY? 2009 

Are you still a member of INA? Yes 

What do you remember about your application process? My employers gave me the nomination form in my year-end review and we pulled everything together and submitted it in three weeks, and I didn't tell anyone except the people I asked for references, an NCS friend who called wanting to nominate me, and another NCS friend who did my proofreading.  At conference it was fun when people found out I was a nominee and they were so happy for me and came and told me.

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally? I love the fact that I can say I was the 2009 Nanny of the Year it was a boost of confidence to have my peers believe in me, and be recognized for doing what I love and doing it well.  It got me back into writing articles, challenged me to stretch myself and be move visibly involved in things, tackle fears like public speaking, and it gave me a point of discussion for those people who didn't see what I was doing as a real career.  I also felt that it was a boost to my resume when doing my next job search, some agencies used the title as a way to promote me and it opened up the opportunity to discuss INA, continuing education, and nanny support in general with prospective employers.

What is your fondest memory during your reign of NOTY? My fondest memory was a wonderful combination between my goodbye speech about looking for opportunities, and the pennies I dropped around the room for people to find and trade for raffle tickets, and the raffle where the quilt I had made and donated was won by Julliette Worley.  She wanted the quilt so much, she kept going over and touching it all weekend, she found a couple of pennies and put the raffle tickets she received for them in the bag for the quilt.  She was so thrilled that she won with one of my "opportunity penny" tickets, she came and talked to me that night about how much it meant to her to win that quilt, every year she tells me again how much she loves her quilt.  I love that something I did touched a life!

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination? That being nominated is an honor in itself and to appreciate that you are being nominated, enjoy all the things that people put into your reference letters, it isn't about being the one picked in the end it is about the journey.

What is the most important thing your nanny career taught you? That I don't have to always stay in the background, I am smart and capable and I have the right and the ability to stand up for what I believe, I can make a difference and even if I only do little things and I can have an impact on the future. 

What have you been doing in the years since NOTY? I took about 18 months off from being a nanny and spent some time with my family.  I also did some traveling and spending time with friends.  Since fall 2004 one of my best friends, along with aunts, an uncle, a cousin, and my sister-in-law have all died, and there were some issues at home and with my parents now 78 & 80 so I really wanted to help them out and spend time with them while I had the chance.  My mother has real health issues, knowing her life is so fragile made that time special. I took a new nanny position in the Philadelphia area with preemie identical twins in the fall of 2011 and I am refreshed, loving being back with little people, and looking to become involved with in my church and community in my free time.

Any other information you’d like to share?  I am proud to be a nanny and I am so thankful to the sisterhood of nannies that provide me with support for what I do, and a web of friendships that is like an extended family no matter where I am in the country.

What happened last Thursday in New York, was tragic.  At times like this, it is good to remember that there are also many wonderful nannies who are true heroes to those around them, as Meagan Francis points out.                                                                     

http://blogs.babble.com/babble-voices/meagan-francis-at-home-with-the-happiest-mom/2012/10/29/heroic-nannies-caregivers-who-risk-their-own-lives-for-the-children-they-care-for/

Christy Ochs 

What year were you NOTY?   2007 

Are you still a member of INA?   Yes

What do you remember about your application process?    What stands out was that it allowed me to look back on my career as a nanny and to think about my future goals. I enjoyed it and I am still proud of my portfolio. 

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally?   Confirmation that being a nanny is a true profession, and one that I'm proud to be a part of. I felt honored to have been chosen by my INA peers, all of whom I admire. Personally, it was very gratifying to read the letters from my previous and current employers, and to know that I was, and am appreciated. It was wonderful. 

What is your fondest memory during your reign of NOTY?    It was during the conference and Jill (my employer) and my oldest charge Hawk, who was 4 at the time, came to D.C. to share in the award ceremony. We took Hawk to the Smithsonian and it was a really special time. He's 9 now and still remembers it.  

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination?   Oh I would hope that nannies will consider this opportunity to shine in the nanny community.  Just the process alone is very gratifying, and whatever the outcome, they will never regret participating. Have fun and enjoy every moment. 

What is the most important thing your nanny career taught you?   That working with children is truly my calling, and that it is possible to have a career you love. 

What have you been doing in the years since NOTY?    Well, since I was honored in 2007 I have attended 3 INA conferences, 2 Nannypaloozas,  and a Nanny Retreat.  I continue to serve as Founder of Denver Area Nanny Association and have attended workshops such as, Love and Logic, as well as local nanny conferences whenever the opportunity arises. 
Although I have reduced my hours somewhat, I continue to work for the same family that nominated me for NOTY. My charges are growing up too fast! I began with them when the oldest was born and the children are now age 9, 7 and 5!  I am very blessed to have been a part of this family for 9 years and look forward to many more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

International Nanny Association Responds to Tragic Stabbing

                       Wilmington, NC (October 26, 2012) – October 26, 2012 The International Nanny Association has learned of the tragedy in New York yesterday, involving a nanny accused of fatally stabbing two of her charges.....

Read full Release

The 2013 Nanny of the Year nomination packets have been posted to the  NOTY page, please consider nominating someone you think is a great nanny.  The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2013.

Becky Kavanagh

What year were you NOTY? – 2006

Are you still a member of INA? – Yes

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally? - As mentioned the process was so gratifying that by the time I got to conference 2006 I was flying high. It was a huge honor! The other nominees were amazing. Hearing their stories, their journeys, made be proud to be a professional nanny. I have always been active in the nanny community but for me being NOTY reinforced the desire to give back to the industry.

What is your fondest memory during your reign of NOTY? - There were a lot of great memories but I have to say it had to be when the children in my care (14, 16 and 19) would introduce me to their friends they would be sure to include that I was nanny of the year and then beam! It still makes me tear up to think of it.

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination?  - Go For It! Really, just do it. I've heard other nannies say - it's a lot of work - yes it is, but work that is worth the effort. Some get caught up on winning (everyone has an opinion about competing) - but it's not about that or I don't think it should be. It's about the honor of being nominated, the process of getting there, the growth, of being part of a group of outstanding nannies - I think that's the focus. The process is challenging but totally worth the effort when you just look back at your portfolio and see what you've accomplished, see where you are professionally and see the level of personal growth you've achieved - it's worth it!

What is the most important thing your nanny career taught you? - It's taught me that I can embrace who I am fully. This is something I feel is essential when working with children. They should find who they are and embrace it totally and we are there to encourage them. Working with families and children doesn't get you a Nobel Prize or make you a millionaire - it brings you something much more valuable - knowing that you made a difference in a child's life that affects their future. Wow - that's more than amazing, it's incredible. So I know I'm fabulous working with children and that's exactly what I should be doing!

What have you been doing in the years since NOTY? - I continued with the family I was with until all the children were out and off to college - 20+ years with them! Amazing and wonderful! I've continued to work part time at Nannies from Heartland, recently celebrating 11 years there. I'm on my second year with my part time nanny family. They are totally fun! The youngest is 7, his brother is 14 and his sister is turning 17. I've known them since the two oldest were very young. My job with them is to get them to school, pick them up and get them home in the afternoon. At home my focus is to engage the 7 year old so the two older ones can get homework done. We have a blast!

I've stayed very active in the industry. Locally I'm the secretary of our nanny support group, Twin Cities Professional Nannies (TCPN). We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary at our recent conference. I'm serving as co-president of INA after several years as secretary. This is my second round on the board and as president. Giving back is important to me and it's a joy to serve with other dedicated industry leaders.

I'm also involved as a Girl Scout leader and trainer. Having had a couple of troops over the years, one that made it through 13 years together, I wanted to continue to work with girls and adults in an organization that encourages leadership skills. Currently I'm helping our local troops as part of a team of women, training new leaders and co-leading a troop of 12th grade girls. Great fun!

Michelle LaRowe Conover

What year were you NOTY?  2004

Are you still a member of INA?  Yes

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally? Personally, it validated the work I did to me and to those around me. It didn't go over too well with family and friends at first when I graduated with a degree in Chemistry on a Sunday and started work as a nanny that Monday. Professionally, it opened huge doors for me. In addition to getting recognized by then President George Bush for my work in in-home child care and numerous features in local and national media, I went on to write four parenting books, all published my major publishing houses.

What is your fondest memory during your reign of NOTY? How proud my charges were of me. When the relocated and started a new school a few years later, they had to tell their new classmates something about themselves. One of my charges announced "I have a nanny and she's the nanny of the year!"

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination? Just do it. It's so important in our profession for others to have role models. It's a rewarding process and an honor to be nominated. The worst case scenario is you'll walk away from the process feeling really good about the difference you've made in the lives of the children who have been in your care and the families who have employed you.

What is the most important thing your nanny career taught you? That I play much better with children than adults. Really, it has taught me that you can love what you do and get paid well for it.

What have you been doing in the years since NOTY? I've been fortunate to write four parenting books and establish a freelance writing career. I had the opportunity to serve as INA’s executive director for several years and now as a consultant to the association. I currently serve as Editor-In-Chief of Longhorn Leads and manage content for our portfolio of nanny sites including e-NannySource.com, NannyPro.com, GoNannies.com, 4Nannies.com, NationalNannies.com, NannyClassifieds.com, and NannyBackgroundCheck.com. But most importantly, I've gone on to have a family of my own. Jeff and I are parents to Abby, 4 and Luke, 2.

Any other information you’d like to share? The nanny community is a special one. Only another nanny truly understands the joys and struggles you experience. Get connected. You'll be glad you did.

Marni Kent 

What year were you NOTY?   2002 

Are you still a member of INA?    Yes 

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally? Personally it was a feeling of pride, and non-stop smiling for a year! I felt that my personal life and work life were in harmony.  Professionally, I was able to share with the Nanny industry what I was passionate about in the child care industry, as well as join the INA Board of Directors.  I created the INA Mentor/Protégé program, and with Glenda Propst, the Career Nanny website.  The conferences also became a great networking place for me, I felt that they boosted me professional and personally.

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination?

Please don't run if you want this in your resume!  Go for it because this is your opportunity to share your professional experiences with your industry peers, and expound on your passion and dedication to this fulfilling career.  Moreover, it will permit you to have a voice in representing an industry that is developing our future!

 What have you been doing in the years since NOTY?  This year I celebrated my 25th year as a nanny, and my motto is "give me another 20 years and then, I will be tired!" I have been working in different parts of the country but I have to say I really love the San Francisco Bay Area!

Glenda Willm Propst

What year were you NOTY? 1991

Are you still a member of INA? Yes

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally?

Personally, being NOTY brought to me a feeling of validation that the work that I did was recognized, appreciated and respected. Professionally it made me realize that I had to hold myself to a higher standard and to the set the best example of a professional nanny that I possibly could. The women who were nominated that year were all strong candidates and many of them are still strong professional examples in the field.

What is your fondest memory during your reign of NOTY?

I have so many fond memories of that time. It was an emotional time for me because my dad was fighting terminal cancer but my sister, my niece and my mom flew to Dallas to be there for the NOTY luncheon. I knew that they were coming, but then the morning of the luncheon, my employer Jill and one of my 4 charges (6 year old Molly) surprised me by flying to Dallas to be there for the luncheon as well. They recorded the luncheon and NOTY presentation and had it FedExed to my dad the same day so that he could watch it at home.  The other exciting memory for me was that I was on Good Morning America via satellite from the local CBS affiliate and was interviewed by Joan Lunden on nationwide television. (I still have the recording of that interview)

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination?

Do it for the right reason. Do it because you want to set an example for the profession. Don't do it because you think it will look good on your resume. If you are going to do it, put your whole heart into it and embrace it for whatever it is to you. Everyone has a different experience during their year as NOTY. Don't compare what you got or what was done for you, or the PR or the media to anyone else’s' experience. Make your year, your own!

What have you been doing in the years since NOTY?

I am still working part time. I have been with my current family for 18 years and they will be my last family. When I started with them in 1993, I committed to them long term and my oldest will graduate in May. I got married in 1996 and my husband and I are my employers’ extended family. I have been fortunate to have had wonderful experiences and fond memories of both of the families I have worked with through the years.

The International Nanny Association’s board of directors is delighted to announce that Rachel Lawrence has been hired as INA’s Operations Manager.  She will begin working with us on Monday, August 6.

Rachel recently served on INA’s Board of Directors for 3 years, during which time she volunteered to work on several projects.  Rachel has worked in the in-home child care industry for more than 10 years, as both a nanny and an agency owner, and has been an advocate for the in-home child care industry through her involvement in her local community.  Rachel is a Harriett Grant Service Award Pin recipient and is a Coastal Small Business Award winner.

As operations manager, Rachel will be responsible for INA’s day-to-day operations.  Please join us in wishing Rachel all the best in her new position. 

Submit Your 2013 Conference Theme Today

Since our last email, over 20 members have submitted a theme for the 2013 INA Annual Conference and are now entered to win a free 2013 INA Annual Conference registration.

For your chance to win a FREE 2013 INA Annual Conference registration, enter your theme idea today! Entries must be received by July 17, 2012.

Save the Date!
April 12-14, 2013
Louisville, Kentucky

By Nikki Gribble, 2012 INA Nanny of the Year

As nannies, we all get to hear and see cute things from our charges that we like to share. I have an abundance of them from all the children I have cared for and I would like to share a few of them with you. I hope they will make you laugh, touch your heart, or affirm that you are doing the right things, as they have done for me.

One day, I took my just over 2-year-old triplets to the zoo to meet one of their friends. We were looking at the gibbons when they started howling, which if you haven't had the chance to hear gibbons, they are very loud. The triplets' friend, who was several months older than they were, covered her ears and said, “The monkeys are too loud; the monkeys are too loud!!” “J” one of the triplets looked at her and said, “No, ‘L.’ They are gibbons; they are in the monkey family!” I was very proud of him! As a relatively new nanny at the time, it also reinforced something I'm passionate about. I believe that children should always be given the proper names for everything, starting at birth. Many people thought I was crazy when going to museums or other places and reading and telling my under-2-year-olds about all the different exhibits in “grown-up language.” However, when they entered school, their teachers were amazed at how much they knew.

Another instance was when one of my families was expecting their third child. The oldest, who was 4 at the time, said, “I hope I have a sister, ’cause I already have a brother and brothers mess up toys. A sister wouldn't.” He wasn't very happy to find out he was getting another brother.

After working a temporary position for 4-month-old twins and a 2 1/2-year- old, (which I didn’t have responsibility for, but included him whenever possible) I got a text message from the mom in which the 2 1/2 year-old told her, “New girl not good; only Kiki good; Kiki beautiful.” When I received that text it melted my heart! Also, it shows that even short encounters with people can make a big impact in their life. This is a great reminder that we should always treat people kindly and with respect, especially little ones.

These are only a few of the stories I have written down or have just been too unforgettable. I wish I had written down more of my stories over my years as a nanny, because even though I thought I would always remember them, I haven’t. I am now trying to record them as they happen. I encourage all those reading that if you aren’t already writing down all the cute things your charges do or say, to start recording them because it’s a lot of fun to look back on them and memories are priceless!!

In closing, if you decide to record some of the cute things that your charges say and do, there are many things you can do with them. Parents always like to hear what their children have said and done. You can print off a list and give it to the parents every once in a while, or you can make presents out of the cute sayings and stories of things they have done. Some creative ideas could be: a calendar, coffee mug, cards, or incorporate some of the sayings into arts and crafts you could do with your charges. These personalized things make great gifts and great memories.

By Michelle LaRowe, Executive Director

Social media is here to stay. For both big businesses and small business alike, embracing social media not only as a cool communication tool, but as a tool to create revenue and deliver customer service is essential for those who want to succeed in this hyper connected generation.

As you plan your social media strategy, consider these four rules Peter Shankman shared at the 2012 INA Annual Conference:

1. Be transparent. In the age of social media, companies no longer have the ability to hide information or dole it out when they see fit. Today information is free enterprise and people will find the information they seek and share it with the world. When you run into a problem, don’t hide from it. Admit you made a mistake, apologize and move on. Being transparent builds credibility and trust.

2. Be relevant. For businesses to succeed, they need to know their audience. Business leaders need to understand what matters to those who are listening and deliver content that is meaningful to them. Knowing how your audience wants to get their information is also essential to ensuring what you have to say is delivered. There are many ways people gather information and knowing if they prefer email, text messages or Facebook updates (or one of the other millions of options) and steering your communications to where your audience is willing and ready to receive it is key (or important?).

3. Be brief. With social media, you need to get your information out fast. Peter Shankman shared that the average attention span today is about 2.6 seconds. Ninety % of people have sent or received a text message and 4% have sent a tweet. Learning how to write headlines and communicating your message in fewer than three sentences is vital to ensuring that your message is delivered.  

4. Keep connected. Peter also challenges people to takea half hour every day to find 10 people in their network and to reach out them. When you keep connected to those in your network, you are at the top of their minds. When people are thinking about you, they’re more likely to provide a referral when the opportunity arises, share a valuable tip you’ve shared or reach out to you when your products, services or skill set is a match for what they’re doing. Keeping connected can generate revenue.

A successful business lets the customers decide its direction. Today’s customers want short bits of information that is relevant to the people, places and things around them through a platform they utilize. Are you delivering what your customers want?

INA Urges Nannies, Parents, and Placement Agencies to Follow Water Safety Guidelines

Since the 2010 tragic drowning incident in Long Island, New York, that involved a nanny and the toddler in her care, INA has committed to sending an annual reminder to nannies, parents and agencies that only child care providers who have the proper training should take children swimming or near large bodies of water like a pool, lake or ocean.

INA recommends that children are only to be taken swimming by a nanny if she is a lifeguard, if she has successfully completed a credible water safety and rescue course, or if there is a lifeguard present.

INA recommends that any child care provider who works in a home where there is a large body of water present be properly trained in water safety and rescue. 

To find an American Red Cross Water Safety and Rescue course in your area, visit http://www.redcross.org.

Tools to Help You Grow

Do you know that INA has tools and resources to help you grow?

In INA's eStore  you'll find for purchase:

High gloss publications to present to your clients

Help clients understand the responsibilities of being a nanny employer by providing them with high gloss copies of our publications, including A Nanny for Your Family and Recommended Practies for Nannies.

INA's Nanny/Family Agreement

INA's nanny/family agreement is available for both agencies and nannies to use to formalize the nanny and family employment arrangement.

INA Nanny Basic Skills Exam

INA's Nanny Basic Skills Exam can be used as a screening tool for placement agencies or used for a nanny's individual assessment of her basic childcare knowledge. Available in both English and Spanish.

Beyond Parenting Basics

Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association's Official Guide to In-home Child Care is available for purchase in both English and Spanish. This text book is perfect for any nanny wishing to increase their childcare knowledge. Beyond Parenting Basics is also the official study guide for the INA Nanny Credential Exam.

Steps to a Successful Start

Are you considering starting a nanny placement agency? Have you recently launched your business? Steps to a Successful Start presents an important overview of items new agency owners must consider to be successful.

Visit nanny.org today to purchase these valuable resources. INA members receive 20% off eStore purchases when logged into nanny.org.

Wondering how you can get more involved?

It is easy as 1-2-3!

Step 1: Review INA’s committees

Step 2: Choose a committee that interests you

Step 3: Contact the committee chair

Membership Committee
Committee Chair: Alice Shaffer
Phone: (703) 919-1057
Email: inanannyalice@gmail.com

The Membership Committee exists to recruit, welcome and retain members. The Membership Committee calls new members, facilitates new member special promotions and suggest ways to increase INA membership. The Membership Committee also works with agencies and industry service providers to assist them in sharing information about INA with its clients. The Membership Committee also encourages the membership to become involved with INA through committee service, to spread the word about the benefits of joining INA, and to invite others to attend INA's Annual Conference. All members interested in this committee are invited to join.

Nanny Mentor Program/NOTY Mentor Committee
Committee Chair: Marcia Hall
Email: inanoty2011@hotmail.com
Phone: (414)241-7322

The Nanny Mentor Program is designed to support nannies as they enter into the nanny profession and grow in their career. Nannies can reach out to seasoned nanny mentors for simple questions or for ongoing guidance and support. We welcome nannies with 10 or more years of experience to apply to serve as a nanny mentor.

The Nanny of the Year Mentor Program provides guidance to nannies considering nomination for INA’s Nanny of the Year (NOTY) award. Previous NOTY award recipients are available to talk about the process, walk nannies through their portfolio creation and answer questions about the roles and responsibilities of the NOTY and NOTY nominees. Previous NOTY award recipients are invited to join this committee.

Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) Committee
Committee Chair: Cortney Gibson
Email: Cortney@GibsonNewbornServices.com
Phone: (214) 790-3216

The goal of the NCS Committee is to provide a home within the INA for newborn care professionals. From valuable networking opportunities to continuing education, the INA is the perfect place to nurture the careers of professional newborn care specialists. This growing specialty is in need of strong leadership, which we are making every effort to provide.

The NCS Committee plans to continue to increase the number of newborn care specialists within the INA, as well increase NCS conference attendance. We seek to educate the public, agencies, and caregivers about the qualifications a NCS should have and the services one may offer, the correct definitions and usage of each specialty term, and what kinds of training and continuing education are available. There are several projects on the horizon and we invite all interested members to join this committee.

Research Committee and Agency Workshops
Committee Chair: Rachel Lawrence
Email: racheldoaklawrence@gmail.com
Phone: (910) 431-1867

The Research Committee exists to assist all other committees with the research required to reach their goals. The Research Committee also serves as the liaison to all other nanny industry groups with the intent of fostering unity and exploring ways we can work together. All interested members are invited to join this committee.

The Agency Workshops Committee exists to research and present topics for the agency track of INA’s Annual Conference. The Agency Workshops Committee encourages others to submit topics and speakers for review. All interested members are invited to join this committee and submit workshop ideas.

Governmental Affairs
Committee Chair: Kathy Webb
Email: kathy@homeworksolutions.net
Phone: (703) 404.8151

The Government Affairs Committee monitors legislative activity affecting the In-home Childcare Industry and may recommend/coordinate legislative activities through lobbying, providing speakers, and organizing campaigns designed to initiate legislative input from INA members.

Current Issues/Projects:

US Department of Labor proposed changes to definitions in the Fair Labor Standards Act. The proposal requires household employers to maintain an accurate record of the actual hours worked by all household workers, including live in domestics. It will no longer be sufficient to have a work agreement between the parties.

California AB889. This bill would specially regulate the wages, hours, and working conditions of domestic work employees, as defined. Specifically, this bill would, among other things, provide a private right of action for a domestic work employee when those regulations are violated by his or her employer and provide an overtime compensation rate for domestic work employees.

All interested members are invited to join the Governmental Affairs Committee.

We welcome you to get involved with INA through committee service. It is thanks to members like you, who dedicate their time and effort to INA that our programs and services are made possible.

By Susan Tokayer, INA Co-President

To all of those who attended conference, I want to tell you how great it was seeing each and every one of you.  To everyone who wasn’t able to attend, I encourage you to start planning now so that you can join us next year in Louisville!

This year’s conference drew a near record number of attendees.  Having a large group is great for a lot of reasons.  With a large group there are more networking opportunities, an increase in energy circulating throughout the conference and more attendees at each of the workshops to ask questions and share ideas.

Since returning home from conference I have been thinking about how close we are as an association to reaching a critical mass.  Now, I don’t know that there really is a way of knowing what that “magic number” is, but it is the point where our membership dramatically increases and we become more self-sustaining. 

Most of us who have owned our own businesses for more than 10 years knew when we reached the critical mass because the majority of calls coming to our office were from word of mouth referrals, rather than clients who were answering an advertisement.  It meant that enough of our clients and nannies were out there in the community talking up our businesses!

It feels, to me, that our association is gaining momentum towards this critical mass.  We now have almost 900 members, and we have grown dramatically in the past couple of years.  This is exciting for so many reasons, but mainly because it means people are hearing our message about what a nanny is, what the recommended background checks for hiring a nanny are, the importance of a work agreement, payroll requirements when hiring a nanny, and so much more.

I would like to ask all of our members to assist INA in reaching that critical mass.  Nannies, please encourage your nanny friends to join our association.  Agency owners, please tell the nannies you work with what the benefits of belonging to this association are, and encourage them to join us. 

With more members we will have a bigger voice and we will be better able to educate the public about the in-home childcare industry.  I thank you in advance for doing your part to help INA reach its critical mass!

INA has made the following JPEG images available to members help spread the word about INA. Please feel free to print the images or share them digitally. The images can be printed front to back on quarter or half sheets of paper or cardstock.  Front Image | Back Image

Seeing the faces day in and day out simply makes Nikki Gribble’s heart smile.

“I get rewarded with hugs and kisses. Get paid to play,” she said.

Gribble has made a successful career out of being a nanny, and now, she’s being honored in a big way.

This month, she was named 2012 Nanny of the Year by the International Nanny Association—the highest stamp of approval in the industry.

Read the article and view the news segment from Good Morning Washington that appeared today on ABC 7 - WJLA.

Do you know that INA has tools and resources to help you grow?

In INA's eStore  you'll find for purchase:

High gloss publications to present to your clients

Help clients understand the responsibilities of being a nanny employer by providing them with high gloss copies of our publications, including A Nanny for Your Family and Recommended Practies for Nannies.

INA's Nanny/Family Agreement

INA's nanny/family agreement is available for both agencies and nannies to use to formalize the nanny and family employment arrangement.

INA Nanny Basic Skills Exam

INA's Nanny Basic Skills Exam can be used as a screening tool for placement agencies or used for a nanny's individual assessment of her basic childcare knowledge. Available in both English and Spanish.

Beyond Parenting Basics

Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association's Official Guide to In-home Child Care is available for purchase in both English and Spanish. This text book is perfect for any nanny wishing to increase their childcare knowledge. Beyond Parenting Basics is also the official study guide for the INA Nanny Credential Exam.

Steps to a Successful Start

Are you considering starting a nanny placement agency? Have you recently launched your business? Steps to a Successful Start presents an important overview of items new agency owners must consider to be successful.

Visit nanny.org today to purchase these valuable resources. INA members receive 20% off eStore purchases when logged into nanny.org.

A huge thank you to all who supported the 50/50 Raffle at the 2012 INA Annual Conference! Attendees raised a total of $3350 and donated more than 400 books!

Half of all monies raised went to the charity Spread The Word Nevada and the other half went to the INA Conference Membership Endowment Fund.

The Raffle Queen, aka Alice Shaffer, would like to thank everyone who contributed to the raffle, purchased tickets and to help set up the raffle items at conference. A special thank you goes out to her “Raffle Princesses" Angela Jackson, Brandi Hylton, and Amanda Schultz.  

2012 INA Annual Conference Wrap Up

Conference Wrap Up

• View the 2012 INA Conference Program
• 2012 Conference Sponsors
• 2012 Conference Donors and Contributors
• 2012 Nanny of the Year™
• View the 2012 INA Annual Conference Photo Album

This year, International Nanny Association members from around the world gathered at the Tuscany Suites & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 27th Annual INA Conference.

With over 200 members present, nannies, agency owners, educators and other in-home childcare industry professionals gathered to learn new skills, gather new ideas and build new relationships. During the 2012 INA Annual Conference, over 60 first-time attendees were welcomed into the family of professionals who dedicate their lives work to improving the lives of others. Though attendees worked hard, spending lots of time learning, they also played hard and taking in numerous shows, dining in top-notch restaurants and forging friendships around the pool as they enjoyed the warm, Las Vegas sun.

In addition to INA's own industry experts like Bob King of Legally Nanny, Stephanie Breedlove of Breedlove & Associates, and Glenda Propst of Nanny Transitions, this year, nationally known speakers traveled from all over the United States to present to our conference attendees. Peter Shankman, founder of HARO presented a energetic workshop on social media, Cindy Horgan of Cape Cod Children's Place, presented on working with middle school children and what boys need, Dr. Lindsay Hellar, "the Nanny Doctor," presented on working with difficult clients and media personality "Dr. Shosh," Shoshana Bennett, presented on postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, to name a few. 

The 2012 INA Annual Conference marked the third year that the INA Harriette Grant Service Award Pins and INA Service Award Pins were awarded to individuals in the in-home childcare industry. Twenty attendees received their award pins or additional bars for their pins in recognition for their hard work, dedication and commitment to professional excellence.  

A highlight of the Annual Conference is the presentation of the Nanny of the Year Award. Nikki Gribble of Bethesda, Maryland, was honored as the 2012 INA Nanny of the Year recipient. Nikki is a graduate of The English Nanny & Governess School and specializes in caring for twins. During her speech, she shared a moving poem her mother wrote about her life as a nanny. 

The annual 50/50 Charity Raffle marks the official end of the conference, though there is always a good amount of celebrating late into the evening afterwards. Each year INA chooses a local charity to support with half of the raffle proceeds. This year, half of all proceeds raised went to Spread the Word Nevada, a non-profit literacy program that distributes books to children in southern Nevada.

We hope that you will consider joining us for our 2013 Annual Conference. If you are new to INA and never have attended an Annual Conference, you may be eligible for significant savings.

What Attendees Are Saying 

This was my 3rd conference and I look forward to attending every year. My favorite workshop was How to expand and Fine Tune Your Temporary Services. I loved the information and the energy of the agency owners. They were inspiring and informative!

Rachel Urtiaga
Capitol Park Nannies
Sacramento, CA
3rd Conference

My favorite session was Bob King's Legal Review with Peter Shankman tying a close second with How to Expand and Fine Tune Your Temporary Services. Bob showed us what we should be doing, Sharon and Lexy showed us what we could be doing, and Peter inspired me to do both.

Niki Worrell
Williamsburg Nanny Agency 
Williamsburg, VA 

The most informative session for me was The Business Side of Nannying with Kathy Webb of HomeWork Solutions! Kathy is amazing and I feel so wise after hearing from her!

Keyanna Barr
Nanny
First-time Attendee 

This was my 4th Annual Conference. Two years ago I received my 20 year INA Service Award pin, and this year I was one of the INA scholarship recipients. There were so many excellent workshops this year. What Boys Need, Press Pause for Extended Play, Games, Rhymes and Signs, and the Business Side of Nannying come to mind as favorites. I am looking forward to Louisville next year.

Stacie Gebeke
Nanny

We look forward to seeing you in 2013 for INA’s 28th Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

All photos were taken by and are the property of MaryAnn X. Meddish.

Nanny Incorporated

A poem written by Nancy Gribble, mother of Nikki Gribble, 2012 INA Nanny of the Year

Please, don't call me a babysitter

I’m a Certified Professional Nanny

I hold many different titles

I don’t just powder fannies

My office may be a sandbox

My company car a mini-van

And my job description includes

Holding a child in my hand

I may not be a CEO Of that you may discern

But as Chief Educational Officer

I encourage my charges to learn

I am also head of H.R.

Yes, you can believe that it’s true

Hugs & Rocking children

Is an important thing to do

You may think that I skip power lunches Boy, are you so wrong

Ever power washed spinach off the ceiling

All while singing a song???

CFO, Chief Fun Officer is awesome~

It’s one of my favorite jobs I get to play with crayons, toys, glue,

and a million thing-a-ma-bobs

There are days I also fill in

As referee, nurse, and cook

And then it’s time to snuggle in a chair

And read the children’s favorite book

Finally, the one thing that I have

That a corporate job can never be

I can actually say I love my job

And that my job loves me......

May 3-6, 2012 the nation's best nannies and placement agencies gathered together in Las Vegas, Nevada  to celebrate 27 years of excellence in an industry they are passionate about: in-home child care.

Over 200 members of the International Nanny Association gathered at the Tuscany Suites and Casino to increase their knowledge and hone their skills to polish up on their professionalism. "Unfortunately, the media often portrays nannies as something other than they really are" says Susan Tokayer, co-president of INA. "By educating the media, parents and the public on what a true professional nanny is, it is our hope that families will make better choices regarding childcare for their children."

During the event, Nikki Gribble of Bethesda, Maryland was named the 2012 INA Nanny of The Year (NOTY) award recipient. “Nikki Gribble is a fine example of who and what today’s professional nanny is. An educated child care specialist with a genuine love and working knowledge of children” said Becky Kavanagh, 2006 INA Nanny of the Year and INA co-president.  In addition to being the best of the best in her profession, she is of legal working status and adheres to all required state and federal tax laws; a hot topic not only in the political arena, but also in the media.

Nikki Gribble is a graduate of the English Nanny & Governess School and certified professional nanny. Gribble has five years of professional nanny experience, is an INA Credentialed Nanny and has been a member of INA since 2006. She is also a member of ADCAN (Association of DC Area Nannies), the oldest nanny support group in the United States and holds basic water rescue certification through the American Red Cross.

Nikki has carved out a niche for herself in caring for multiples. She was nominated for this prestigious award by her employers who are parents of twins.

As is tradition, this prestigious award was presented by the previous year’s award recipient, 2011 NOTY Marcia Hall at the annual NOTY Luncheon.

In addition to the 2012 NOTY Luncheon, the 27^th annual INA conference included 3 days of information-packed workshops for all those involved in the in-home child care industry. Attended by nannies, governesses, newborn care specialists, traveling nannies, nanny agency owners and their staff, as well as industry service providers from all over the world, the conference featured noted speakers including Peter Shankman, founder of HARO,  nationally recognized expert in household employment law, Bob King of Legally Nanny and nanny educator, Carolyn Stulberg, of the Alexandra School.

Online registration for the 2012 INA Annual Conference will be closing at 5 pm EST Friday April 27, 2012.

If you have not yet joined INA and wish to take advantage of new member rates, please join by 12 noon EST April 27, 2012 so that your membership may be processed prior to the 5pm EST deadline.

We have a limited number of walk-in space available. If you do not register online and wish to walk-in, please email admin@nanny.org or call 888.878.1477 and leave a message to confirm space is still available.

Please note, the office will be closed for normal business on Monday, April 30, 2012 as our staff is traveling to Las Vegas. Emails and phone calls will be returned on Tuesday May 1, 2012.

Are you excited about attending your first INA Annual Conference?

We are excited that you are coming!

Being the new kid on the block is always a bit awkward. You may be wondering what to expect at conference or who you will sit with at meals or events.  We encourage you to put aside any anxiety and get ready to have a blast learning new skills and making new friends. We are here to make your first conference experience a great one!

To help you prepare of your conference experience, we have pulled together some tips from seasoned INA Annual Conference attendees. We hope you’ll find their tips helpful and encouraging.

We look forward to warmly welcoming you to the 2012 INA Annual Conference! See you in Vegas!

Tip 1. Do not be afraid to say “Hello, I’m new can I sit with you?”

Conference is the one time of year that we reconnect with fellow nannies and colleagues. While we may email, tweet and blog all year, it’s this face to face connection that we crave. So while you may see people engaged in conversation, acting like old friends, and here you know no one, don’t forget neither did they at one point. Don’t be afraid to make your first connection. Conference is a marvelous experience, get it while you can!

Sandy Costantino, INA Board Member, 27^th Annual Conference

Tip 2. Bring address labels for your raffle tickets!

The annual charity raffle is one of the highlights of conference. Each year, INA supports a local charity in the area where conference is held with a 50/50 raffle. Raffle tickets are sold during conference by Alice Shaffer, “The Raffle Queen” and her raffle “royal court” for $1 per ticket. Half of all proceeds go to the charity and half goes towards the INA Member Conference Endowment fund. This year INA is supporting Spread the Word Nevada, a charity that distributes books to elementary schools across southern Nevada. Having labels to put on the back of your tickets saves lots of time and ensures that your information is legible.

Brandy Hylton, Nanny, 2^nd Annual Conference

Tip 3. Bring business cards for networking

One of the most important aspects of conference is the networking opportunities. Be sure to have business cards handy with your contact information so that you stay in touch with those you connect with!

Cortney Gibson, NCS and INA Board Member, 8^th Annual Conference

4. Sit with people you don’t know at each meal or event.

Meals and events provide opportunities to network and get to know new people. Take a chance and sit with someone new!

Kellie Geres, Nanny/Household Manager and Nominating Committee Chair, 17^th Annual Conference

5. Bring a notebook.

Have a notebook and pen handy to write down those things you want to remember. You may get handouts during workshops, but having your own notebook available will come in handy.

Glenda Propst, Nanny and INA Service Award Pin Committee Co-Chair, 9^th Annual Conference

6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

If you have a question, ask! Everyone at conference is happy to help.

Lisa Willis, Nanny, 4^th Annual Conference

7. Get a professional headshot.

Take the time to get a nice photo of yourself to showcase in your portfolio and on your social networking sites. Costellophoto will be on site offering headshots for $35 per person. You won’t find a price like this on your own.

Michelle LaRowe, INA Executive Director, 10^th Annual Conference

Conference Check List:

Pack a swim suit for relaxing by the pool

Check the INA conference FAQ page for frequently asked conference questions

Read the overview of the 2011 Annual Conference for special insight

Be sure your name badge has a first-time attendee ribbon

Consider attending Jersey Boys on Friday night with a group of attendees (email admin@nanny.org for additional information).

We look forward to seeing you in Vegas!

Social Media Branding: Creating Platforms, Influence and Profits with Social Media

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Eastern Time  

Join 2012 INA Annual Conference speaker Dawn Jensen and get your social media questions answered and your social media prepped for the 2012 INA Annual Conference !

In this free webinar, you'll get a sneak peak of the great tips, tools, techniques and specials Dawn will be offering in her conference session.

For those who are unable to make it to Las Vegas to join Dawn, we invite you to connect with her on this call and learn more about social media branding.

Have questions to ask? Fan Dawn on Facebook and ask her your question. She'll address your questions on the call!

PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR
http://www.instantpresenter.com/PIID=EA56D681834E

1. Learn new skills that can impact your bottom line. Whether you are a caregiver, business owner or employee, you’ll walk away from the 2012 INA Annual Conference workshops with practical tips, tools and solutions that will help to increase the quality of your service offerings, marketability and your earning potential.

2. Make new connections and nurture existing ones. At the 2012 INA Annual Conference there is time set aside specifically to network with others who share your passion for quality in-home child care.  You are sure to leave conference with a strengthened network of industry-wide connections.

3. Meet industry leaders, including our 2012 INA Annual Conference sponsors. From the INA board of directors, to leaders of industry organizations including Association of Premier Nanny Agencies, Domestic Estate Mangers Association and NannyPalooza, to the heads of the companies that offer industry services like nanny tax and payroll preparation and online recruiting, they’ll all be in attendance at our event.

4. Get a professional headshot. Polish your professional image with a professional headshot taken by Costellophoto  of Las Vegas. Costellophoto will be offering headshots to 2012 INA Annual Conference attendees for $35 on Friday and Saturday, so be sure to bring your business best!

5. Take in Las Vegas! Enjoy a night on the world famous Las Vegas strip. Visit a casino, tour the hotels, see a show or dine in one of the many fine dining restaurants Las Vegas offers.

6. Meet Peter Shankman. In 18 months, Peter Shankman turned a small mailing list (HARO- Help a Reporter Out) into a multi-million dollar business. He speaks all over the world, teaching companies like NASA, Amex and Disney how to use social media, marketing, advertising, and most importantly, customer service, to grow their business and generate revenue.

7. Relax at the pool or spa. Take advantage of the opportunity to relax while in Vegas. The Tuscany Suites & Casino is home to a lagoon style pool and La Riva Massage and Spa .  Be sure to book in advance to secure your La Riva treatment. The hotel has only a few rooms left that they will honor at the group rate (group rate guarantee ended 4/11). After that, the price will be at their regular rate, if rooms are available.

8. Take a trip to win a trip. During our annual charity raffle, be sure to enter to win a 5 day/4 night trip to Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club or Beaches Negril Resort & Spa courtesy of Beaches Resorts, The Luxury Included® Vacation for Everyone.

9. Visit with over 20 exhibitors.  From companies that offer online training courses for nannies, to merchant service providers, to online recruiting companies to tax and payroll service providers, to home based business owners, over 20 exhibitors will be showcasing their products and services at the 2012 INA Annual Conference.

10. Be the first in the know. As an INA Annual Conference Attendee, you’ll be the first to know who is honored as the 2012 INA Nanny of the Year, who the recipients of the 2012 INA Service Award Pins are and who wins the 5 day/4 night trip to Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club or Beaches Negril Resort & Spa courtesy of Beaches Resorts, The Luxury Included® Vacation for Everyone.

Register Now!

If you are new to INA (joined after June 1, 2011) and have never attended an INA Annual Conference, receive 50% off of your conference registration fees!

In honor of National Nanny Training Day, organized by Nanny Biz Reviews, INA is discounting its individual membership rate from $35 to $25 now through April 30, 2012. Visit www.nanny.org/NNTD to take advantage of this special offer!  

Find a National Nanny Training Day event in your area.

If you join today (or joined anytime after June 1, 2011) and have never attended an INA Annual Conference, receive 50% off of your 2012 Annual Conference registration!

Thank you to all of our members who took the 2012 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey and to those who encouraged the nannies they know to take it.

There were six hundred seventy-three (673) total 2012 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey respondents. Six hundred sixty–one (661) respondents indicated that they were employed as of December 31, 2011, and therefore were eligible to complete the survey.

The 2012 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey is a sample of the nanny salary and benefits represented across the United States. Survey invitations were sent to approximately 550 individual members of INA. Members of INA were asked to pass the survey invitation onto the nannies in their reach. The survey invitation was also posted on INA’s Facebook page and blog, as well as other nanny-related websites and message boards.

Of the estimated 1.2 million in-home child care providers or nannies employed in the United States, a sample size of approximately 384 respondents would be needed to have a confidence level of 95% with a margin of error of +/- 5%. Of the respondent categories, only nannies had a large enough sample size to be statistically relevant.
 
Salary Survey Results Highlights
The national average hourly rate for babysitting or short-term assignments is $16 per hour.
The national average gross weekly salary for full-time live-out nannies is $705.
The national average gross weekly salary for full-time live-in nannies is $652.
 
National Gross Weekly Salary for Full-Time Nannies Based on Years of Nanny Experience
Full-time nannies with less than 1 year of nanny experience earned on average $521 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 1 year of nanny experience earned on average $529 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 2 years of nanny experience earned on average $603 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 3 years of nanny experience earned on average $600 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 4-5 years of nanny experience earned on average $626 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 5-7 years of nanny experience earned on average $630 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 7-10 years of nanny experience earned on average $677 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 10-15 years of nanny experience earned on average $709 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 15-20 years of nanny experience earned on average $713 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with 20 plus years of nanny experience earned on average $734 gross per week.
 
National Gross Weekly Salary for Full-Time Nannies Based on Years of College Experience
Full-time nannies with 2 years of college experience earned on average $611 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with a bachelor’s degree earned on average $633 gross per week.
Full-time nannies with a master’s degree earned on average $725 gross per week. 
 
Read the complete 2012 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey Results Summary

Avoiding Temp Trouble The Dos and Don'ts of Classifying Temporary Nannies
By Tom Breedlove
Breedlove & Associates

Over the years, we've seen several agencies get into serious legal trouble for inadvertently misclassifying their temp nannies as independent contractors. In some cases, the misclassification occurred because they gave the workers Form 1099s. In other cases, they simply referred to them as "independent contractors" in their contracts and marketing materials.

In both scenarios, the states went after the agencies for tax evasion. Why? By law, a nanny is never an independent contractor. It doesn't matter where the works takes place, how much she is paid or how long she works. She is always an employee.

But who is the employer? In most cases, she's an employee of the family for whom she works. The family is responsible for complying with all pertinent labor laws. Additionally, if the family crosses certain wage thresholds with the temp nanny, the family has payroll and tax responsibilities.

[Please note that some agencies have chosen to absolve the family of the legal and tax responsibilities by making the temp nanny an employee of the agency. In this scenario, the agency manages all payroll and tax responsibilities in exchange for a higher hourly rate. If you are considering this strategy, please consult our edition of The Legal Review entitled "Corporate Care," (please call 888-273-3356 or visit www.breedloveonline.com for a copy) where we have more fully outlined the pros and cons of this approach].

For the rest of this column, we'll assume that you Do NOT want to make your temp nannies employees of your agency. To avoid any problems in this area, we advise you to adhere to the following Do's and Don'ts:

Do's

Clearly state in all your client communications that the family is legally considered the employer. As a service to your families - and a protection to your agency - you should alert them that if they cross certain wage thresholds, they will have tax filing responsibilities (they are, of course, welcome to call us for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to learn about the laws in their area). The good news is the family is entitled to tax breaks for these childcare expenses.

Don'ts

Don't refer to your temp nannies as "independent contractors" or "self-employed" in any of your company's communications - verbal or written. This implies to families that someone has absolved them of their tax and legal responsibilities - you guessed it, that someone would be your agency. Don't give your temp nannies a Form 1099 at the end of the year. To the state tax enforcement agencies, this is a red flag for tax evasion.

Due to revenue shortfalls in virtually every state, the tax agencies are aggressively pursuing violators. If you follow these simple Do's and Don'ts, your agency won't be one of them.

This article originally appeared in INAVision in the September 2009 issue.

By Sharon Graff-Radell, INA 1st Vice President

Attention Travel Nannies!

Is your job to travel with families and take care of their children? Do you think people don’t know the real story about what that’s like? Are the trips you take crazy, wacky or unusual experiences that you want to share on TV?

A major television production company is currently searching for charismatic and outgoing travel nannies for a new reality series. If you think this describes you, please submit the following to TVstarswanted@gmail.com :

1.        Name (and name of agency/company, if applicable) 
2.        Primary location
3.        Contact Info (phone number and e-mail)
4.        Picture of yourself
5.        A brief description of yourself, your job and the family or families you work for

**Once you submit your information, a producer will contact you and go over the details (production company, submission process, etc). If this doesn’t apply to you, please pass this information to anyone you know that might want to submit! If you are a nanny agency, please share this posting with your nannies!**

Each year at INA’s Annual Conference there are opportunities to give back to the community, give to the association and to showcase your products and services at the largest national meeting of nannies, agency owners and industry service providers.

If you have already made a contribution, we thank you for your generosity and support. If you haven't, would you consider supporting one of the following?

Nanny of the Year

Donations for the Nanny of the Year fund go towards purchasing gifts and defraying the cost of conference attendance for the Nanny of the Year and Nanny of the Year nominees. You can give to the Nanny of the Year fund online at www.nanny.org/donatenow. Gifts can also be given to the Nanny of the Year and Nanny of the Year nominees. If you would like to give a gift, please visit www.nanny.org/donations . 

Annual Charity

Each year, INA holds a 50/50 raffle to benefit INA’s Member Conference Endowment Fund and a charity in the area where conference is held. This year’s charity is Spread the Word Nevada, a charity that distributes books to elementary schools across southern Nevada. Fifty percent of all proceeds raised will go to Spread the Word Nevada. While raffle tickets can be purchased onsite, INA is accepting momentary donations to the raffle fund online at www.nanny.org/donatenow. In addition to donating or purchasing raffle tickets, conference attendees are encouraged to bring children’s books to be presented to a Spread the Word Nevada representative at the Annual Conference closing reception.

Charity Raffle Prizes

INA depends on the generosity of its members and friends to provide prizes for our annual charity raffle. From iPods to gift cards, handmade jewelry to chocolates, the generosity of our members and friends help make INA’s charity raffle a success. To donate a raffle prize please visit www.nanny.org/donatenow.

Swag Bags

Each INA Annual Conference attendee receives a welcome bag that is filled with information, product samples and marketing collateral from those who view in-home caregivers and placement agency owners as their target audience. If nannies and those involved in in-home child care are part of your target audience, consider getting information about your product or service directly into our attendee’s hands by donating to our swag bags. Visit www.nanny.org/donations to learn more.

See You In Vegas!

In honor of National Nanny Training Day, INA is discounting its individual membership rate from $35 to $25 now through April 30, 2012. Visit www.nanny.org/NNTD to take advantage of this special offer!  

Find a National Nanny Training Day event in your area.

If you join today (or joined anytime after June 1, 2011) and have never attended an INA Annual Conference, receive 50% off of your 2012 Annual Conference registration!

Sandy Costantino
INA Treasurer,  Conference Site and Selection Chair 
Co-Owner of Neighborhood Nannies, New Jersey
 
1. What were your first 3 jobs?  
For most of my high school years, I worked for a temp agency as a secretary or office receptionist.  Throughout  college, I still worked for a temp agency, but for several summers I worked for Greyhound Bus Lines, as an information person (when you would call and ask for a schedule or price), and then I was a ticket agent for a summer or two.  
 
2. Where is your favorite vacation spot and why?  
I love Hawaii, because it just feels good there.  Somehow, the air just feels different- crisp, clear, and the smell of flowers is everywhere..
 
3. When you are not working, what two things do you spend your time doing?  
Either helping my daughters or friends out doing something or buying something for them, and/or finding the best deals for whatever it is they are looking for.  I'm also always trying to clean/clear the house.....a never ending task.
 
4. Talents/hobbies that we probably don't know about?  
I love to ski, though I would not say I am talented at it.  I love to travel and just be active going places and doing things.  I do seem to have a talent for saving money while doing this though!
 
5. When you were 18, which career did you believe that you'd have today? 
I thought I would be a teacher.

6. Favorite concert of all time that you've attended?  
Rolling Stones, although Billy Joel and Elton John were great too!
 
7. After you retire, what would you like to do?
Keep healthy and travel.

8. Who is in your immediate family?
I have two daughters

In addition to Early Bird Registration, there are other opportunities for you to save money as you make plans to attend the 2012 INA Annual Conference.

Take advantage of these opportunities as you make plans to attend.

INA Membership Conference Endowment

INA is pleased to announce the launch of the INA Membership Conference Endowment. The INA Membership Conference Endowment has been developed as a way to recognize our members for their dedication to the in-home child care industry.

Through the 2012 INA Membership Conference Endowment, INA is pleased to offer full conference registration (a $295 value) to four INA members. Two full conference registrations will be given to those in the business category and two in the caregivers category. 

The first INA Member Conference Endowment gift will be given in honor of former INA Board of Directors member Colleen Grube. On November 30, 2011, Colleen lost her life in a senseless act of violence.  Colleen was an avid Annual Conference attendee, as well as an INA Board Member and Executive Board Member for many years. The 1997 INA Annual Conference that was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, holds wonderful memories for our many members who were there in attendance with Colleen.  

To learn more about this opportunity, visit the INA Member Endowment page.

First-Time Attendee Discount

If you are new to INA or joined INA after June 1, 2011, and have never attended an INA Annual Conference, you are eligible to receive 50% off of your conference registration. Please contact the INA Membership Services Office at 888.878.1477 or by emailing admin@nanny.org to verify your eligibility.

Lori Baker Memorial Scholarship*

Local nanny group Twin Cities Professional Nannies (TCPN) and former members of the National Association of Nannies (NAN) have come together to establish a scholarship for the 2012 International Nanny Association (INA) Annual Conference. This scholarship honors nanny Lori Baker who was a member of NAN, TCPN and INA. Lori was killed in her home a few days after Christmas. Establishing this scholarship allows those who knew Lori and the whole nanny community to honor her memory.

To learn more about this opportunity visit http://networkedblogs.com/tBqwp.

Donna Robinson’s MAD Money Contest*

Write a short essay of your choice: Why I Am a Nanny, A Funny Thing Happened to Me as a Nanny or Why I Want Some MAD Money for the 2012 INA Annual Conference!

Don't worry about spelling or grammar; this is the "I’m mad about being a nanny" contest so it doesn't matter! Just by writing and emailing your composition to thetravelingnanny@gmail.com, with the subject line INA Conference, you are entered to win! On April 1st (get yours in by March 31st) Donna will select 4 names. Those whose names she selects will receive MAD Money to spend at the Annual Conference. Donna is offering two $50 MAD Money awards and Kathy Harrison Webb of HomeWork Solutions, Inc. is matching that to add two more award winners.

To learn more about this opportunity, email Donna at thetravelingnanny@gmail.com.

 2012 INA Annual Conference: It's a Sure Bet!

Registration Fees and Hotel Registration
Plan Ahead Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Speakers
Workshops
Agenda
Sponsors
Exhibitors
Membership Endowment
Raffle, Nanny of the Year and Welcome Bag Donations

Register Now!

Are you offering a money saving conference opportunity? Please email admin@nanny.org with the details.

*These opportunities are not offered by INA and INA is not responsible for and assumes no responsibility for their contests and/or outcomes.

2012 INA Annual Conference

Peter Shankman, networking and social media expert, will be presenting The Next Revolution Will Occur in Your Pocket at the 2012 INA Annual Conference.

PR Week Magazine has described Peter as “redefining the art of networking”, and Investor’s Business Daily has called him “crazy, but effective”. Peter Shankman is a spectacular example of what happens when you merge the power of pure creativity with  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a dose of adventure, and make it work to your advantage.

An author, entrepreneur, speaker, and worldwide connector, Peter is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about Social Media, PR, marketing, advertising, and customer service.

Peter is best known for founding Help A Reporter Out, (HARO) which in under a year became the de-facto standard for thousands of journalists looking for sources on deadline, offering them more than 200,000 sources around the world looking to be quoted in the media. HARO is currently the largest free source repository in the world, sending out over 1,500 queries from worldwide media each week. HARO’s tagline, “Everyone is an Expert at Something”, proves over and over again to be true, as thousands of new members join at helpareporter.com each week. In June of 2010, less than two years after Peter started HARO in his apartment, it was acquired by Vocus, Inc. Peter is now Vice President and Small Business Evangelist for Vocus, working out of New York City.

Peter is also the founder and CEO of The Geek Factory, Inc., a boutique Social Media, Marketing and PR Strategy firm located in New York City, with clients worldwide. His blog, which he launched in 1995 at http://shankman.com, both comments on and generates news and conversation.

Peter’s PR and Social Media clients have included American Express, Sprint, The US Department of Defense, Royal Bank of Canada, Snapple Beverage Group, Saudi Aramco, Foley Hoag, LLP, NASA, Haworth, Walt Disney World, Abercrombie and Kent, The Ad Council, Discovery Networks, New Frontier Media, Napster, Juno, Dream Catcher Destinations Club, Harrah’s Hotels, and many, many others.

Peter is the author of two books:  Can We Do That?! Outrageous PR Stunts That Work and Why Your Company Needs Them (Wiley and Sons 2006) and Customer Service: New Rules for a Social-Enabled World (Que/Pearson, 2010) and a frequent keynote speaker and workshop presenter at conferences and tradeshows worldwide, including South By Southwest, Affiliate Summit, BlogWorld, The Public Relations Society of America, The International Association of Business Communicators, CTIA, CTAM, CES, PMA, OMMA, Mobile Marketing Asia, and the Direct Marketing Association.

Peter sits on the advisory boards of several companies, including ScotteVest and Pixability, and is honored to sit on the NASA Civilian Advisory Council. He was appointed to his position by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. He’s also an angel investor, specializing mostly in very early stage tech and social media companies.

A marketing pundit for several national and international news channels, including Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, Peter is frequently quoted in major media and trade publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Daily News, The Associated Press, Reuters and USA Today.

A proud Boston University graduate, Peter started his career at America Online as a Senior News Editor, helping found the AOL Newsroom and spearheading coverage of the Democratic and Republican 1996 conventions, which marked the first time an online news service covered any major political event.

Born and raised in New York City, Peter still resides there with his NASA the Wonder Cat, who consistently denies his repeated requests to relinquish the couch. In the few hours of spare time Peter has per month he’s completed 13 marathons, seven Olympic distance triathlons, two half-Ironman triathlons, and one full Ironman Triathlon. He’s also a “B” licensed skydiver with over 220 jumps. In 2011, he’s focusing on moving to ten percent body fat, and is documenting his attempt publicly at A Year to Ten Percent.

In 2011, Peter was the author of a Tweet that was voted as one of the Top Ten Tweets of the year by Twitter, out of more than 140,000,000,000 tweets sent.

By Kellie Geres

INA is proud to partner with Spread the Word Nevada for our 2012 Annual Conference charity of choice. 

Books are truly magical.

The goal of Spread the Word Nevada is to promote literacy and to make it possible for all of Nevada's children to experience the magic of books.

Spread the Word Nevada distributes books to elementary schools throughout Southern Nevada.

Public libraries are essential centers of learning, but access to books at the library is not enough. The ownership of books is a critical factor in every child's intellectual development. Young children who own books will read them over and over again, memorizing the stories and learning to follow and identify the words on each page. Spread the Word Nevada puts books into the homes of youngsters and gives them the opportunity to develop their own personal library collections for use at home. These books are kept and treasured.

In the tradition of our conference raffle, we will be donating 50% of our raffle proceeds to Spread the Word Nevada.  In addition, we are asking attendees to bring a book (or two or three) of your choice to be given to the charity during the Saturday evening festivities.  While not required of attendees, we hope you’ll participate in making our donation go even further with the gift of books.

Take the 2012 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey!

Please spread the word and encourage all of the nannies you know to take the 2012 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey.

Meet Susan Tokayer
Co-President of INA Founder and President, Family Helpers  
 
What were your first 3 jobs?
My first job was as a cashier in a movie theater. I went on to work in a jewelry store for my last two years of high school. What was fun about that job is that I got to pierce ears!  In college I worked as a model. I was a "house model" at Saks Fifth Avenue in Palo Alto, CA.  I got to wear beautiful, expensive clothes and I got a 25% discount on all of my purchases!

Where is your favorite vacation spot and why?
Favorite vacation spot is Nice, France. I am a Francophile and the south of France is so beautiful. There is nothing like eating a nicoise salad in Nice!  It is also just a few miles from Monte Carlo and also very close to the Italian border, so you can take a day trip to Italy, if you like.

When you are not working, what two things can you most likely be found doing?
Preparing/researching new cuisine from all over the world and working out- good health is really important to me.

Talents/hobbies that we probably don't know about?
I was a competitive swimmer for most of my childhood, so I'm a really good swimmer!  I'm also a pretty good cook.

When you were 18, which career did you believe that you'd have today?
A psychologist.

Favorite concert of all time that you've attended?
A Steve Winwood concert in Las Vegas in (around) 2003. The concert was only planned the day before, so not many people attended.  We had great seats, we were there with good friends, and the music was fantastic; One of those concerts where you are on your feet dancing for most of it!

After you retire, what would you like to do?
Spend a lot of time with the (currently nonexistent) grandchildren and travel.

Who is in your immediate family?
My husband and two sons in their twenties.

INA is pleased to announce the launch of the INA Membership Conference Endowment. The INA Membership Conference Endowment has been developed as a way to recognize our members for their dedication to the in-home child care industry.
 
Through the 2012 INA Membership Conference Endowment, INA is pleased to offer full conference registration (a $295 value) to 4 INA members. Two full conference registrations will be given to those in the Business category and two in the Caregivers category.

Started in 2011, the INA Member Conference Endowment secured its initial funding from half of all monies raised through the 2011 INA Annual Conference 50/50 raffle. INA is pleased to continue earmarking half of all monies raised in future Annual Conference 50/50 raffles to the INA Member Conference Endowment fund. As tradition, the other half of all monies raised will continue to go towards supporting a local children’s charity in the city where INA's Annual Conference is held.

At the 2012 INA Annual Conference, the first INA Member Conference Endowment gift will be given in honor of former INA Board of Directors member Colleen Grube. On November 30, 2011, Colleen lost her life in a senseless act of violence.  Colleen was an avid Annual Conference attendee, as well as an INA Board Member and Executive Board Member for many years. The 1997 INA Annual Conference that was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, holds wonderful memories for our many members who were there in attendance with Colleen.

Please visit the INA Membership Conference Endowment page to learn more.

 
Meet Becky Kavanagh, INA Co-President and Live-in Nanny

Below is a list of questions we asked Becky and along with them, her responses.  
  
1. What were your first 3 jobs?   
Summer Babysitting (High School), McDonald's (College), Medical Assistant in a small group practice.

2. Where is your favorite vacation spot and why?   
Disney Cruise - with or without children it's a great time!!  You can be busy doing all kinds of activities or just kick back and relax.  They treat everyone like you're the star!  Love it!

3. When you are not working, what two things can you most likely be found doing?   
Scrapbooking - I'm known to my friends as the Scrapbook Goddess!  
Working with my Girl Scout activities - my 12 grade troop, or my service unit, or training new leaders!  It's a blast!

4. Talents/hobbies that we probably don't know about?  
I can whistle through my teeth which sounds like birds - really is exciting if you are a young child!  I've already confessed to scrapbooking.   

5. When you were 18, where did you think your career path would take you?   
I was having a hard time deciding between a career in health care and a teacher - - - remarkably as a nanny I dabble in both!  

6. Favorite concert of all time that you've attended?   
Lilith Fair - do you remember this?  A full day of women music stars of the day - Joan Osborne, Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Paula Cole, etc.  It was amazing!  My employer mom, her sister-in-law, my oldest charge and her cousin were part of our group.  It was a woman's Woodstock event - with fundraising for women's charities!  Very interesting - we still talk about it.  And I hear it's coming back in 2010!

7. After you retire, what would you like to do?
I'd rather not retire, maybe shift gears - do more writing, speaking engagements - - - but I'm still going to need my child fix.  I think I'll semi-retire and semi-nanny . . . that sounds nice.

8. Who is in your immediate family?  
My mother (she'll be 82), brother and his family, two sisters and their families - six nieces and one nephew.  I'm the oldest and considered the comedian of my family, and perhaps the most eclectic, if you can believe that.

We all know about Lifetime’s new show America’s SuperNanny. I know a lot of supernannies who aren’t on television and I would be willing to bet that you know a few of them, too. In fact, many of them are fellow members of INA.

Perhaps you have been called a super nanny yourself by your employers, an agency owner or a fellow nanny. Maybe you feel like a supernanny in your own right.

(Photo 2011 INA Nanny of the Year Marcia Hall with 2009 INA Nanny of the Year MaryAnn X. Meddish (R) and 2010 Nanny of the Year Greta Schraer (L)).

If that’s you, have you ever considered being nominated for Nanny of the Year? If you know a supernanny, have you ever considered nominating her for the Nanny of the Year award?

Maybe you are reluctant about accepting a nomination. Perhaps there are things that are holding you back. I am here to dispel some of your uncertainty, fear and apprehensions about the nomination process and award. Below are seven common fears and anxieties nannies might have about accepting a NOTY nomination and my reasons for why nannies should go for it anyways.  

1.    I feel weird asking my employers or someone else to nominate me. 

Don’t worry! I understand that is easier said than done but the next time your employer mentions how much they appreciate all that you have done for their family, thank them and ask them if they would consider nominating you. The nominator’s part is fairly simple. 

2.    Past NOTY’s all seem to have been involved in so much of the child care community, from having their own businesses to running nanny support groups. 

Not all of our NOTY’s have been involved in nanny support groups or had their own business before being presented with the award. Some have gotten involved in these things as a result of the award.  Still others are simply fantastic nannies.

3.    The portfolio process seems so hard. 

I am not going to lie; the portfolio is a lot of work. But I have broken the process down into 7 manageable weeks so it will not seem so overwhelming. Check out the INA blog and follow my postings. You will be done before you know it. 

4.    I am not a good writer.

There is a good amount of writing involved in developing your portfolio; and if presented with the award you will be asked to write articles during the year for the newsletter or other INA publications. But don’t let that scare you. The articles can be on anything from how you calm a meltdown to a really fun craft you did with your charges. Whatever you like to do and things that make you a good nanny are good topics. I have written about my experience being a mother and a nanny. You might be surprised to find that when you sit down and write about what you love to do, the words start flowing. You can also ask people to help you with the editing of the article if that is an area where you lack confidence. INA also has an editing team in place.

5.    I don’t like to speak in public. 

This is common fear of many Nanny of the Year nominees. Don’t let it deter you.  Your speech can be as short as 5 minutes or as long as 20. You don’t have to be a powerful speaker to be moving, just speak from your heart. Every Nanny of the Year has a story and everyone is excited to hear it.

6.    I am unsure of what is expected of me for the rest of the year. 

The expectation is the same every year, but the experience is always different. There is often a flurry of events and “media” in the month surrounding the presentation of the award. There will be press releases sent to your local media outlets, and you might have some people call you for a phone interview. You need to be ready for anything at this point. Conference is a whirlwind of meeting and talking to people, but then again, that's true even if you are not nominated for NOTY. After that first month things tend to die down and you get to go around telling everyone you are Nanny of the Year. The reactions you get are priceless. 

7.    I might be so embarrassed if I don’t receive the award. 

Trust me, being nominated is exciting and fun and NO ONE thinks less of you when you don’t receive the award. I should know. I was nominated three years in a row and did not get the award the first two. Three times was the charm for me, but I could have walked away after each nomination happy with my experience. Being nominated is a great award within itself. 

And don’t forget, we have Nanny of the Year mentors available for the nomination process and I will be offering my counsel to the person who receives the honor. I will be here to help work writing the speech and to help transition the new NOTY to the position. 

So now that I have helped you wade through all the “what if’s,” the apprehension and questions, what is stopping you? You still have some time to get your portfolios in (The deadline is February 1, 2012). What are you waiting for?

Sincerely,

Marcia Hall

2011 INA Nanny of the Year

Nanny of the Year Links

2012 Nanny of the Year Marcia Hall
Nanny of the Year Nomination Packet
Past Nanny of the Year Award Recipients

This article was adapted in part from Will You Be INA's 2009 Nanny of the Year?  The NOTY Process: Moving Beyond the Hesitations  By Donna Robinson, 2008 INA Nanny of the Year. It originally appeared in the January 2009 issue of  INAVision.

INA is pleased to announce the launch of its new job board on nanny.org.

With INA's new Job Board standard and supporting members can post current job openings that are searchable by both members and the visiting public.

Individual members may search for employment opportunities that INA member agencies are offering. To post jobs on INA's Job Board, standard and supporting members must be logged into nanny.org.

Visit the Job Board

The "Nanny Borrowers"
By Rachel Lawrence, Wilmington Nanny Agency L.L.C.

Are you prepared to be "borrowed" at a moment's notice? Recently, I encountered several families who have asked their nannies to participate in what I call "nanny borrowing." Nanny borrowing is when a nanny who is caring for her regular charges is asked to also look after or transport another family's children - without advance notice.

Personally, I find this scenario puzzling. Sure parents these days are spread too thin, and the slightest hiccup in their carefully planned schedules can cause total chaos. So, in all fairness, I can see why a family may be tempted to make such a request. However, I can't think of any other employment situation where such a request would even be considered - much less pursued.

If a CEO's secretary is out sick and he needs a few memos typed, I cannot imagine that he would expect a friend's secretary at another company to complete those tasks for him. Chances are, in a professional environment, the CEO would rely on a temp agency to help meet his office needs. In our effort to professionalize the in-home child care industry, shouldn't a nanny's job be given the same thoughtful consideration? After all, a nanny is: A skilled child-care professional who deserves to be respected like other professional employees. Not a tradable commodity, nor is a nanny another mom.

Nanny Borrowers: What Are They Thinking?
Why would employers ask their nanny to care for the children of another family during working hours? There might be many reasons. Generally, it is common practice for one family to reach out to help another family in need. So, when empathy and peer pressure are added to the situation, I can definitely see how the temptation could be enlarged. Also, some families might not think that it's a big deal since the nanny is "already performing the tasks." However, when it comes to "nanny borrowing" there are a few good reasons why all involved might want to think it over and even give it a second thought.

Facing the Unknowns: Consider Potential Liabilities
From my experience as a nanny, I can say that being asked to care for unknown children at a moment's notice can be, let's say ... interesting. If you should face this situation, here are a few sound reasons why considering such a request might not be a good idea. You may not know the children's likes or dislikes, schedule, ability to follow directions, the parent's standard rules, or the disciplinary procedures of that family, not to mention really scary variables like the level of potty training. There are also serious considerations such as allergies or other medical conditions.

There may also be liability issues. Consider liability factors once the children are transferred to your care. What if something goes wrong or one of the children gets hurt? Who will be liable? If you agree to provide the service, it might be worthwhile to have the parents sign a "release from liability" form before assuming responsibility for the unknown children. These forms are easy to find online and many are available free of charge. Also, it might not hurt to be prepared by printing a few forms in advance. There could be restrictions or limitations on your car insurance if transportation is involved. Plus, there are car seat issues to consider. There may be local laws regarding licensing mandates for caring for multiple families' children. Take time to research your local laws before you agree to transport the children.

Options for Helping a Family in Need
What are good options for helping a family in need of temporary child care? If you're asked to care for other children, here are a few things you can do: Refer the family to a temporary or on-call nanny service that specializes in meeting temporary child care needs. I think this option could help bring growth, recognition, and professionalism to our industry. Simply realize that sometimes, something just has to give. The other parents may have to sacrifice their original plans so that they can personally care for their children. Agree to meet the need if there is an emergency - but only on your terms. Perhaps you can even make it clear that it is a onetime service. I suggest you speak directly with the parents of the unknown children. Information about the children's behavior, discipline, schedules, and other important issues should be discussed. Also, be sure to obtain detailed medical and emergency contact information and get a signed medical authorization to treat form.

While some nannies may be able to handle the unknown successfully, chances are that many nannies may not be comfortable "being borrowed" at a moment's notice. The important thing to remember is that nannies and agencies can play an active role in professionalizing the industry by helping parents to view nannies as true professionals.

This article originally appeared in the January 2009 issue of INAVision.

Since the publication of INA's January issue of INAVision, there has been a lot of discussion on nanny blogs and message boards regarding co-president Susan Tokayer's message about Domestic Workers United.

In an email to INA's Executive Director, Michelle LaRowe, Susan shared "Although I support the DWU’s stance on human rights, I don’t view them as an organization that shares many of the same goals as INA.  However, I would like to hear from our membership on this subject."

For this reason, INA is issuing a call for feedback. If you have comments you would like to share about Susan's message, please send your emails to admin@nanny.org. Please do not exceed 200 words, as we would like to publish several responses representing various viewpoints.

Please send your emails to admin@nanny.org by January 24, for possible inclusion on nanny.org and in INAVision.

INA's 27th Annual Conference: A Sure Bet

Information will be updated as it becomes available. Agenda is tentative and subject to change.

Registration Fees and Hotel Registration
Plan Ahead Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Speakers
Workshops
Agenda (Coming Soon!)
Sponsors
Exhibitors (Coming Soon!)
Membership Endowment
Raffle, Nanny of the Year and Welcome Bag Donations

Registration will open February 15, 2012

If you are new to INA or joined INA after June 1, 2011, and have never attended an INA Annual Conference, you are eligible to receive 50% off of your conference registration. Please contact the INA Membership Services Office at 888.878.1477 or by emailing admin@nanny.org to verify your eligibility.

Each year, the International Nanny Association, (INA) a non-profit educational association dedicated to improving the quality of in-home child care, holds a conference designed to increase the skills of those who faithfully serve more than 1.3 million of our nation’s families.

Our association is made up of nannies and those who employ, place and educate nannies. Our members gather from across the globe to learn and network with like minded individuals, all of whom share the common goal of providing the highest level of child care.

This year, our event will be held at the Tuscany Suites & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada May 3-6, 2012.

As part of our conference we provide:

+ "Swag Bags" to our registered attendees (200 items)

+ Gifts to our Nanny of the Year and Nanny of the Year nominees (8 gifts - actual number will be provided)

+ as well as host a 50/50 raffle (1 item). Half of the proceeds raised from the raffle go to a local charity in the city where we are holding our conference and half goes towards the INA Annual Conference Scholarship Fund. The 2012 charity is Spread the Word Nevada.

Our generous donors are listed on our website and mentioned in our conference program, on our conference website and through our social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.

If you would like to donate to our Swag Bags, Nanny of the Year and Nanny of the Year Nominees or raffle, please complete the form below. If you are interested in additional sponsorship opportunities, like hosting an exhibit booth or sponsoring a reception, please contact me and I will connect you with the appropriate person.

Since many of our attendees are traveling to the conference by air, TSA friendly items including gift certificates, gift cards and liquid items that are 3 ounces or less are appreciated as they are easy to transport. Donations will be accepted until Friday April 13, 2011.

Your donation does not have to be received by them however your form must be completed by then. Once your form is completed, you will receive an acknowledgement email with further instructions. If you opt to mail your donation to the hotel directly, it must be received no later than Monday May 1, 2012.

If you have questions or are in need of donation suggestions, please contact Alice Shaffer by phone at 301-530-2373 (EST) or by email at inanannyalice@gmail.com.

Thank you for partnering with us to make the 2012 INA Annual Conference a success! 

Click here to access the 2012 Donation Form.

Week 7 of NOTY Application Process
by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

This is it, you have spent the last 6 weeks engulfed in this project and you are about to finish it. This week you will want to gather all your documents making sure you have each and every part you need.

You will need to submit a photograph of yourself (no children in photo) that is no larger than 4x6 inches. This is a great week to get that done.

Remember there are strict Submission Guidelines on pages 13- 15 of the 2012 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet.

You need to strictly follow the guidelines when it comes to number of words and pages. Be sure to put them in order and make them look professionally appealing. You might want to create pages with section headings so it is easy to distinguish each section of the portfolio. Here is the basic outline.

Section 1: Cover Letter
Section 2: Pages 1&3 of the Nomination Form AND Pages 1-3 of the Application Form
Section 3: Essay Questions from Page 2 of the Nomination Form
Section 4: Essay Questions from Page 3 of the Application Form
Section 5: Professional History
A. Work History

B. Certificates and Documentation

C. Publications and Presentations (if you have these)

D. Media Appearances and Awards (if you have these)

Section 6: Written Letters of Reference
Section 7: Photo Journal (Optional)
Section 8: Certification Form

Four copies of everything will need to be made. If you have a printer you can do this at home but you can also take all the documents to an office store and have them print or copy what is needed. After that is done, check it twice and check it a third time. Maybe you even want to have someone else look at it all again. But when you are ready take all four copies to the office supply store and ask them to bind it with a spiral plastic cover.

You will want to mail the four portfolios on or BEFORE February 1, 2012. Make sure you have tracking on the package, in case something crazy happens. The first year I was nominated, I had to redo all the printing and binding because my package got lost. It would have been easy to find it if I had put a tracking number on it. Learn from my mistake.

You then mail the four portfolios to:

International Nanny Association
PO Box 1299
Hyannis, MA 02601

Next, go and celebrate your accomplishment for completing the 2012 Nanny of the Year nomination process!

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Application Process:
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six

1992 INA Nanny of the Year Janet Schilling

Are you still a member of INA?  No

If no, why? I am currently teaching 2^nd grade in a private school in Portland, Oregon.

Who nominated you? My employers:  Nash and Marion Flores of Dallas, Texas.

What do you remember about your application process?  I remember being extremely touched by the nomination and the kind words expressed by my employers.

How did you learn you won? I was contacted by then INA President, Kelly Campbell.

What did being NOTY bring to you personally and professionally? It validated my dedication to the profession and my contributions to the support and promotion of the value of educated and well-trained nannies.

What is your fondest memory during your reign of NOTY? I was asked to speak at the first NCR Nanny Day Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

What words of wisdom would you share with nannies considering NOTY nomination? Take pride in your efforts to contribute to the lives of young children. Your interactions and positive influence provide young children the necessary skills and concepts that provide the foundation for lifelong learning. For the parents, the nanny offers them the ability to pursue their personal career demands while having confidence that their most prized possessions are in safe, capable, and loving hands.

What is the most important thing your nanny career taught you? That my voice made a difference and through my connection with other nannies and others connected to the profession, that we could educate the general public about this as a valuable and viable career option.

What have you been doing in the years since NOTY? I stayed with my family until Whidden turned 11.  At that time I decided to pursue my interest in teaching full-time in the classroom to touch the lives of more children. I remain close to the Flores family. Whidden graduated this year from the University of Washington and has been interning/grant writing for environmental causes. We live 2 hours apart and she frequently drives down for a long weekend to visit and we are learning to know one another as adults.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be and with whom? I love teaching here in Portland, OR, and having the opportunity to touch the lives of the children at our school. My first class here are currently juniors so I enjoy having them come to share when they are getting their driver’s license or volunteering in my classroom.

What’s your favorite web site or blog? Gael Ann Dow’s Smile Boxes of her charges and the creative activities and adventures that they engage in through the week.

If you weren’t a nanny, what would you be?  Well, I value the time I was a nanny and have fond memories of the many friends I made across the country. I miss those relationships and particularly my good friends in Dallas who formed the support group “Nanny Link.” I enjoy staying in contact with long-time friend and nanny Gael Ann Dow and having Glenda (Willm) Propst, Gael Ann Dow, Gail Bittle, Lisa Baldridge, Janet Buike and Kelly Campbell as Facebook friends.

Any other information you’d like to share? Be proud of all you do for the lives of the children in your care! Get involved in INA and other professional nanny organizations both locally and across the country to help promote the necessity of trained and education professional nannies. 

Are you interested in becoming an INA Nanny of the Year? The 2012 deadline is February 1, 2012. View the INA Nanny of the Year nomination packet here.

Week 6 of NOTY Application Process
By Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

You have made it this far! Your portfolio is almost complete! Hopefully you are feeling a little less stressed about the NOTY application process. This is the big week for EDITING, EDITING and more EDITING. I cannot stress enough how important editing is to the application process. You have until now spent hours writing, re-writing and then editing these documents.

This is what has been completed so far:
Essay questions from the 2012 Nanny of the Year Award Packet, Your cover letter, Work history, Explanations of publications & presentations, Media appearances & awards.

Many words have been written, erased, edited and spell checked. These words have been "seen" by you numerous times. Your brain might be completing sentences without even reading then on the paper. This happens a lot with all the writing one does for the application process. There are probably things that have been missed, as you have been working on this for the past 6 weeks. This is where you want someone else that you trust and know that is good at editing take a look at your paperwork.

Having others edit and review your portfolio is important as it could make or break your portfolio if you miss this small but important step of reviewing and editing. Ask them to have it back to you in a few days.

Now for something fun for your portfolio. Your Photo Journal. This is not a requirement but can be a fun part of the application process. Everyone loves to look at pictures. You can't go too crazy because this sectioni s limited to 3 pages. Try to get a few pictures of you with your charges. You will need to make sure that you have written permission from the parents of any children in the pictures before you include them in your portfolio.

By the end of this week you should have in your possession: All the letters from your former employers for the letters of recommendation section, A completed "Nomination Form," and a signed Certification Form from the person nominating you and all of your edited documents listed above.

Make sure to review them and be sure they fit the limits on word counts and that everything is answered.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Application Process:
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five

By Barbara Kline, Owner and President, White House Nannies
originally published January 13, 2009 in INAVision

Rejecting unqualified candidates for nanny positions is not uncommon. But in light of current economic conditions, agencies will likely face more than the usual numbers of rejections. Many people who are unemployed will seek child care positions despite their lack of credentials. In addition to this new pool of candidates, there will be more nannies that will lose their jobs when their employers lose theirs.

Telling a nanny that you can't help her find a position is never fun. And there is no one-size-fits-all message for every occasion or candidate. White House Nannies has developed some strategies for dealing with this specific issue over the years.

Situations and Solution Ideas

Situation: Does the nanny candidate meet your agency's stated requirements? If not, you may have an easy out.
Solution idea: If the candidate doesn't have 5 (or 3) year's experience, she doesn't "meet the agency requirements." The rejection is totally impersonal. Explain that your clients, who pay
you a fee, expect you to provide nannies who meet certain requirements. In this case, she does not meet them. Fill in the blank for the candidate who doesn't drive, doesn't have the legal status to work in the United States, can't commit to a year etc. Pointing to something inanimate like a list of requirements as the cause of her rejection may be a lot easier than saying something more personal.

Situation: The candidate meets your requirements but gets a bad reference. If you feel the reference was being truthful (not just mad that the nanny left), you must reject the candidate
without revealing why. This is trickier.
Solution idea: We have been known to say that "your references did not meet our standards." But then you have to skirt the issue of who said what despite being asked. References have to be kept confidential. Simply repeat the "didn't meet our standards" message and try not to engage any more. Suggest alternative sources for securing employment.

Situation: You've brought someone into your office, the paperwork checks out, and the references are good, but you are put off by her for whatever reason.
Solution idea: We tell the candidate to make sure to "spread her net." The market is slow, we're slow, etc. We understand she needs a job but not to count on us. We are never rude.

Situation: If we really like the nanny but she is dressed inappropriately, wears too much perfume, or chews gum, we'll try to suggest some improvements. This is also not fun. Some
people in your office will be better at this than others.
Solution ideas: Here are some examples of what you can say:
- "You are so attractive, but could you wear something a little less revealing?"
- "No hat, please."
- "I love your perfume, but ..."

Rejecting a candidate is always difficult. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be as pleasant as possible when delivering the bad news. And what if the candidate keeps calling? Be firm and tell the prospective nanny that her time would be better spent making other calls. Mention newspapers, online sites, etc. I also suggest that candidates obtain more experience and come back to us in the future. This has worked well for us. The key is to reject candidates without being dismissive or rude. You want to keep the door open so that a nanny can come back when she is better qualified. You also want her to recommend nanny friends who may be better suited to be placed through your agency.

With the current recession in full swing, all agencies are likely to have more applicants who are not qualified to work as a nanny, but are simply people who need work. Rejecting a candidate is a task all agencies will have to handle within the coming year. Be proactive and think of winning ways to handle this issue with tact.

INA is pleased to announce the release of its new member logo.

When looking for nanny placement agencies, payroll service companies and other nanny industry related services, look for the INA member logo.

You can view a list of INA members here.

Week 5 of NOTY Application Process
By Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

This week you will finish the professional history segment of your portfolio. This is on page 14 of the nomination packet. This includes "Certificates and Documents", "Publications and Presentations" and "Media Appearances and Awards." You may or may not be able to complete all the pages allowed for these sections. Don't worry if some of these do not apply to you. Not all NOTY's have had them.

In Certificates and Documents include documentation of any extra classes that you took that are not associated with degrees you listed previously. Certificates from INA Annual Conferences attended, local nanny support groups, agencies or other nanny training sessions can be included.Certificates or proof that you took additional continuing education classes through a local community college that was related to children and/or child development can also be included.

Publications and Presentations can be a little trickier. Presentations include any classes or workshops that you taught for a club or group. If you have written any training guides or books they would be included here. Include the list of your publications and presentations and provide links for the items on the Internet along with a brief description of what each publication or presentation was about. If you have ever written for a blog, web site or newspaper (little or small), these would fit there but also might fit in the next section. Make sure to include how it is relevant to being the Nanny of the Year.

Media Appearances and Awards refers to any news, TV, Internet site or magazine where you or your work has been featured. If you have ever written for a blog, web site or newspaper (little or small) these would fit here. If you have ever received an award, it may also be included here. An example is the INA Service Award Pin or an award for best nanny of your local support group or agency. Be sure to include a list of any awards along with a brief description of them and how they are relevant to being Nanny of the Year.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Application Process
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four

Week 4 of NOTY Application Process
by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

You are almost halfway done with the legwork of your portfolio. This week we will focus on your professional history, which is the longest part of the application. You don't want to do this part all at once, so break it up into manageable parts this week.

First, review page 15 of the nomination packet and focus on Section 5 -  Work History. Make sure your work history responses answer the questions the application asks. Your work history is like your professional resume on steroids. Include all the jobs you have had in your lifetime that involve working with children. Start making a list of your past child care jobs and make sure you have the dates you held each job. Explain what your duties were in each position and how it changed over the time you were there. Include what made each job unique or challenging and share why you are no longer there (unless you still are there). Talk about your relationship with the children and your employers.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Application Process
Week One
Week Two
Week Three

Week 3 of NOTY Application Process
by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY

This week you will write your Cover Letter. This is the letter that will be at the beginning of the portfolio telling the NOTY committee why you are deserve or should be the 2012 Nanny of the Year. For a lot of nannies this is the most difficult part of the nomination process. It was for me. We are asking you to sell your abilities and strengths and tell us not only why you are a great nanny, but why you would make a great example to all professional nannies. As nannies, we tend to want to underplay what we are capable of, our assets and our contributions to those around us and in the nanny field. We spend so much time caring for others and helping to mold them into great human beings we often forget how great WE are as human beings and we rarely know how to tell people about it. This is where you want to share how you "shine" as a great person and nanny.

Tips for writing your Cover Letter:
Review page 13 of the nomination packet. Pump yourself up. Read through your letters of recommendation from the past and present. Ask friends and family what qualities and assets you bring to them and others. Make sure to talk the person who has nominated you and ask them why you are the 2012 NOTY. Don't be shy. Give yourself credit and shine for the person you are. Make sure you answer the questions on page 13 and stay within the one page limit.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Application Process
Week One
Week Two

INA is pleased to announce that the translation of Beyond Parenting Basics is now available for purchase.  Visit our eStore to order your copy today!

A special thanks to Marta Perrone, www.ElAmaDeCasaBilingue.com, for underwriting the cost of the Spanish translation 

Week 2 of NOTY Application Process
by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY^TM

This week you will start actually filling out the Application Form.  This will be your “test copy” of the nomination form.  If you haven’t printed it out yet do so now. On pages 13-15 of nomination packet, the Portfolio Submission Guidelines goes into detail on the 8 sections of the Portfolio. It will share with you the page and word count limits. Make sure you take note of these limitations.

The application part is on page 8-10 of the 2012 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet and is 3 pages total. You will find 6 essay questions on the application form. These essays will be typed in the final submission. While you are working on these questions, make sure to get several opinions on the content, spelling, punctuation and grammar reviews done.  Remember computers don’t catch everything.  It is important to have several “fresh” pair of eyes looking at your essays. I had several people review my essays and it was very helpful.

Checklist for the essays:

• Print out and fill out the application form. (3 pages total)
• Work on answering the 6 essay questions.
• Before final printing, make sure the essays are reedited and checked for grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.

Next you will want to print the Certification Form and sign it.  This is on page 11 of the form.

Print out the  “Nanny of the Year Nomination Form” (pages 5-7). You will need to this and your signed Certification Form to the person who is nominating you.  Your nomination person will need to fill out the form along with the questions on there.

• Give the person nominating you the Nanny of the Year Nomination Form. (3 pages)
• You nominator  will need to type their answers and pay attention to the word count on the questions asked.
• Give them a definite deadline to get the information back for submission. You may want to have your deadline at least a week before you truly need it, in case something comes up.
• Give them the signed Certification Form, they will need to sign it as well.

Quick Links to the previous weeks of the NOTY Application Process

Week One

Last week we received shocking news that a previous INA member had been killed in her home along with her father. Colleen Grube was a dear friend to many of us and INA joins in mourning her passing.  Colleen was an active INA member serving on the Board of Directors and on the Executive Board for a number of years.  She loved attending the annual conferences and lived life to its fullest.

INA will be honoring Colleen in a special way in connection to Conference 2012. More information will be available as plans progress.

We invite you to share your memories of Colleen. You may also want to send a message to Colleen’s family through the following link - http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dayton/obituary.aspx?n=colleen-m-grube&pid=154848209.

2012 Nanny of the Year: Application Process in 7 weeks
by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY^TM

Being Nanny of the Year™(NOTY™) can sound a little intimating and overwhelming to apply for.  I am here to let you know that it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  I won’t mislead you, it does take time to apply.  I am here to help assist you and  others who have been nominated by their peers, families or agencies on how to “tackle” the application process in 7 weeks. The deadline to submit your Nanny of the Year Portfolios is February 1, 2012.   Each week I will share with you steps on what you should be doing that week.  If at any point you come to the nomination process with less time available, the 7 week application process breakdown should be able to give you a guide on completing the packet.

Remember if you are interested, we do have Nanny of the Year Mentors available.  They are able to help answer your questions about the NOTY program and other items.  If you would like to be matched up with a Mentor please contact INA Membership Services Office by phone at 888.878.1477 or by email at admin@nanny.org .  Please include “NOTY Mentor” in the subject line of your email.

Week One-November 30, 2011
Week 1 of NOTY Application Process
by Marcia Hall, 2011 INA NOTY^TM

I suggest getting a folder for the NOTY^TM process so that you can keep all your papers and notes together.  You may also want to print out the 2012 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet for reference during the coming weeks.

• Read through the  2012 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet in its entirety.
• Verify your eligibility to be nominated for NOTY.

There will also be responsibilities as NOTY that will be occurring before, during and after the annual conference. These are on page 2-4 of the 2012 Nanny of the Year Award Nomination Packet You should be able to fulfill these responsibilities with enthusiasm and professionalism. Some of these responsibilities are

• A commitment to attend the INA conference in 2012 regardless if you receive the award or not.
• Prepare and deliver a  speech during the Nanny of the Year luncheon at the conference.
• Be available to answer questions about NOTY throughout the 2012-2013 year.
• Be  knowledgeable in all aspects and areas of INA.

Some nannies may be a  little frightened or nervous of speaking in public, you are not alone as there have been   NOTY’s  that have not been comfortable with this aspect of the award.  The speech the new NOTY gives is however long (within reason) or short as the NOTY  wants it to be.  This is your chance to share your experience as a Professional Nanny, tell stories about your charges and share your expertise a little.  

Every NOTY’s  experience has been unique and different.  The person in that position brings to the award who and what she (or he) is.  Conference month (May 2012) and the following month (June 2012)  are probably the most exciting and hectic times.  The rest of the year generally is low key.  Getting to share with people that you are NANNY OF THE YEAR can be lots of fun as well  getting to explain what you do for a living and what the International Nanny Association does is a blast.

Finally this week you should begin gathering glowing reference letters.  You may have reference letters that you use in your job interview portfolio but the letters for your NOTY portfolio should be slightly different. This is where you want your reference letters to share with people why you are the “Nanny of the Year” to these families.

• Get 4-5 past employers to write a reference letter sharing why you are their “NOTY”.
• Make sure you give them a firm deadline. Remember the holidays are coming up so the sooner you ask and set the deadline, the less chaotic it will be later on you.
• You will need at least 2 weeks before the February 1, 2012 deadline to put together your NOTY portfolio for submission.
  
  
  Come back next week for Week 2 of the NOTY Application Process.

Car Seat Safety: Extended Rear-Face Riding
By Tonya Sakowicz
INA Credentialed Nanny, Newborn Care Specialist, Parent Consultant and Educator

Do you know what the current and pending child passenger safety laws are in your state?
Better yet, do you know what the "recommendations" of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and your car seat
manufacturer are regarding the use of child passenger restraints?

Many times their recommendations are much stronger than state laws (and are proven to keep our children safer while being transported in a vehicle), but parents and care givers often aren't familiar with what the experts really say is the best way to keep our children safe while riding in a vehicle.

Even more interesting, state laws and the recommendations of child safety advocacy groups often change, based on the research of car seat manufactures and independent authorities
on child passenger safety. For example, the old recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics was to turn a child forward-facing at 1 year of age and 20 lbs. This is no longer their recommendation. Today, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Transportation Safety Commission recommend that children stay rear-facing until AT LEAST 2 years of age and always until the maximum rear-facing weight allowance on your particular car seat. This has been the recommendation of the seat manufacturers all along.

Once a child is out of their infant seat, everyone seems to be in a big hurry to turn that child around to forward-facing, but not so fast! The research available now is thorough and extensive and it makes it abundantly clear that continuing to rear-face a child in their car seat well beyond one year is safest for children. This is called "extended rear-facing".

But many parents and caregivers have misconceptions and misinformation about extended rear-facing. In fact, when to turn your child around is the most controversial issue relating to car
seats. So how do you address concerns from parents or other care givers about extended rear-facing? Here are my responses to the top 5 concerns I hear parents and caregivers express about extended rear-facing riding.

"My child is unhappy this way." Unhappy or not, rearfacing statistically is the safest position for a child to be in. When a child is in a crash while riding forward facing, their neck and upper body are not strong enough to handle the impact. Children are 7 times more likely to be hurt in a collision if they are forward-facing and they are 5 times more likely to suffer internal decapitation, serious injury or death if forward-facing versus rear-facing. Your child is better off unhappy than paralyzed or dead. "Their legs are all bunched up-what if their legs get broken in a crash? If they are forward-facing, that won't happen." You are right. It won't. But internal decapitation with paralyzation or death may. Better to have broken legs than a broken neck. Children can be taught to sit cross-legged in their car seats. As one mom put it: "better to cast it than to buy a casket" "They get hot that way." Parents or caregivers can turn on the air conditioning or open a window to make the temperature more comfortable. "They are bored." Get a portable DVD player and install it properly/safely so that they can watch a movie if you're concerned your child is bored. Safety is your first priority. "I can't reach them." If a child needs something urgently, pull the car over and attend to it-it is likely an unsafe distraction for you as the driver anyway if you are trying to reach into the back seat whether the child is forward or rear-facing.

If you've been wondering exactly what the differences are between the various types car seats available, which seat is appropriate for the child in your care, what the current and pending child passenger safety laws are in your state or if your child safety seat you're using is installed correctly, you can visit http://www.thecarseatlady.com/ for an overview of what you need to know to transport the precious children in your care safely.

The following is a press release issued by The Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA)

Proposed Laws for Household Workers - Risk to safety, business climate & tax collection

   (November 2011) – Recent legislative activity in New York and California is shining a spotlight on labor laws for nannies and other household employees, reinforcing the presumption that in-home workers are frequently mistreated. “The California laws under consideration (AB889) go too far and if passed, could result in an increased underground of illegal domestic workers – putting them and those in their care at greater risk – and potentially driving businesses from the state,” explains Daryl Camarillo, president of the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies - A Household Staffing Alliance (APNA).

   One example of what California’s AB889 would do would be to require families to supply an additional caregiver to relieve a nanny for a documented 30 minute meal break and two, 10-minute rest breaks each day. “Families who fail to do so would have to pay their nanny more or risk being sued by their nanny and finding themselves liable for lawyer’s fees, fines and court costs,” says Denise Collins of San Francisco’s Aunt Ann’s In-House Staffing. “It’s impractical on so many levels. It almost defeats the purpose of hiring an in-home caregiver by adding additional costs and administrative duties for the family – not to mention, who will they find to take a job for 50 minutes a day – spread out throughout the day?”

   “If these laws pass, parents could also be fined or sued for infractions such as failing to provide the nanny’s requested foods – even if a child in her care is allergic to one of the foods,” adds Camarillo. “The lawmakers’ intentions are good, but we predict passage of AB889 as it stands now would result in so many additional duties, risks and costs for families that many will resort to hiring under the table.”

   Illegal hiring can drive down wages and reduce employment opportunities for legally-hired domestic employees. In addition, California’s business climate could suffer if it’s harder for parents to work because of burdensome childcare laws.”

   A climate that encourages underground or “do-it-yourself” hiring also creates dangers people can’t foresee. “A perfect example is background checks. Most people don’t understand that the inexpensive ‘nationwide’ background check offered by many online listing services for nannies and babysitters isn’t really nationwide and isn’t very thorough,” says Camarillo.

“We’ve been working for years to sound the alarm that a proper background check involves human vetting, time and some cost. Quality agencies hire professionals to screen candidates before sending them on interviews. People who are hiring nannies, personal assistants, elder companions and housekeepers often don’t even consider that they should check for a criminal record – and they should.”

   Respected household staffing agencies safeguard families and domestic workers by educating both sides about salaries, employment and tax laws that can vary widely from state to state, industry norms, and the importance of written work agreements.

  “Legal, household employees are already well protected by existing state and federal laws governing human rights, disability, work conditions and overtime. Most earn more than minimum wage. In California their salaries range between $15 and $30 an hour which is taxed and contributes to their ability to collect social security, unemployment and other social safety nets tied to legal employment.”

   California is often at the leading edge of social issues, so we want to communicate to its lawmakers, and those nationwide, that proposals such as AB889 might appear to increase worker protection, but unless the laws are carefully crafted, they could result in unintended consequences.” 

Contacts:

•Daryl Camarillo, APNA president, (650) 462-4580 or apna@spnannies.com

•Denise Collins, APNA vice president, (415) 749-3650

•Go to www.theAPNA.org to find an APNA agency in your community and valuable information for families and people seeking household employment

APNA is a self-regulating organization that helps set the bar for industry standards and practices. APNA member agencies have their contracts, applications and business practices scrutinized by peers to ensure they know and follow all applicable laws. You are dealing with a quality household staffing service when you see the APNA seal.

Avoiding Temp Trouble The Dos and Don'ts of Classifying Temporary Nannies
By Tom Breedlove
Breedlove & Associates

Over the years, we've seen several agencies get into serious legal trouble for inadvertently misclassifying their temp nannies as independent contractors. In some cases, the
misclassification occurred because they gave the workers Form 1099s. In other cases, they simply referred to them as "independent contractors" in their contracts and marketing
materials.

In both scenarios, the states went after the agencies for tax evasion. Why? By law, a nanny is never an independent contractor. It doesn't matter where the works takes place, how much she is paid or how long she works. She is always an employee.

But who is the employer? In most cases, she's an employee of the family for whom she works. The family is responsible for complying with all pertinent labor laws. Additionally, if the family
crosses certain wage thresholds with the temp nanny, the family has payroll and tax responsibilities.

[Please note that some agencies have chosen to absolve the family of the legal and tax responsibilities by making the temp nanny an employee of the agency. In this scenario, the agency manages all payroll and tax responsibilities in exchange for a higher hourly rate. If you are considering this strategy, please consult our edition of The Legal Review entitled "Corporate
Care," (please call 888-273-3356 or visit www.breedloveonline.com for a copy) where we have more fully outlined the pros and cons of this approach].

For the rest of this column, we'll assume that you Do NOT want to make your temp nannies employees of your agency. To avoid any problems in this area, we advise you to adhere to the
following Do's and Don'ts:

Do's Clearly state in all your client communications that the family is legally considered the employer. As a service to your families - and a protection to your agency - you should alert them that if they cross certain wage thresholds, they will have tax filing

responsibilities (they are, of course, welcome to call us for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to learn about the laws in their area). The good news is the family is entitled to tax
breaks for these childcare expenses.
Don'ts Don't refer to your temp nannies as "independent contractors" or "self-employed" in any of your company's communications - verbal or written. This implies to families that someone has absolved them of their tax and legal responsibilities - you guessed it, that someone would be your agency. Don't give your temp nannies a Form 1099 at the end of the year. To the state tax enforcement agencies, this is a red flag for tax evasion.

Due to revenue shortfalls in virtually every state, the tax agencies are aggressively pursuing violators. If you follow these simple Do's and Don'ts, your agency won't be one of them.

This article was originally published in the September 2009 edition of INAVision, the official newsletter of INA.

The FBI's free app provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your children so that it’s literally right at hand if you need it. You can show the pictures and provide physical identifiers such as height and weight to security or police officers on the spot. Using a special tab on the app, you can also quickly and easily e-mail the information to authorities with a few clicks.

The app includes tips on keeping children safe as well as specific guidance on what to do in those first few crucial hours after a child goes missing. Links to additional resources for families and victims are provided as well.

Please be assured that no information on your child will be collected or stored by the FBI unless you provide it during an emergency.

To learn more about the app, visit http://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog/fbi-child-id-app-updated-with-new-features.

The app can be downloaded at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fbi-child-id/id446158585?ls=1&mt=8.

INA Service Award Pin Program

In celebration of INA’s 25th anniversary, the association launched the INA Service Award Pin program.

Individuals who have been employed as a nanny, nanny educator or business owner (referral agency or industry service provider) for 5 or more years and are currently an INA member in good standing may apply for the INA Service Award Pin.

The Harriette Grant Service Award Pin is presented to nannies and specialty nannies.  This award pin, named in honor of Harriette Grant, reflects Harriette’s dedication to the nanny profession.  Ms. Grant was a founding member of INA, a founding member of the Association of DC Area Nannies (ADCAN) and was selected as INA’s very first Nanny of the Year in 1990.  Ms. Grant later went on to be a co-founder of the National Association of Nannies (NAN).

The INA Service Award Pin is presented to nanny educators, referral agency owners (or their staff), and business owners (or their staff) who serve the in-home child care industry.

The Service Award Pin program originated within the National Association of Nannies in 1995. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of past NAN members, the Service Award Pin concept will continue on within INA and will share the same goal of recognizing those within the in-home child care industry for their hard work, dedication and commitment to professional excellence.

Each year at the INA Annual Conference, Service Award Pins are presented during the INA Service Award Pin Breakfast. Recepients must be present at the Annual Conference to receive their award pins.

The 2012 INA Service Award Pin application deadline is February 1, 2012.

Applicants Must:

o    Be a current INA member to be eligible for an INA Service Award Pin.

o    Must attend the 2012 Annual Conference to receive your INA Service Award Pin.

o    If working in the United States, must be able to accept work legally.

o    Must submit an official application, a one page resume outlining complete work history (for nannies), a one page educational and/of professional background history (for educators/business owners or staff) and a bio.

o    Must submit a $10 application processing fee. 

Click here for the 2012 INA Service Award Pin Application

INA is pleased to announce that the translation of Beyond Parenting Basics into Spanish is underway. A Spanish version of this book will help INA to better serve our members and those individuals who wish to prepare for the INA Nanny Credential Exam.

At the recent 100th International Labor Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, Switzerland, the Domestic Workers Convention, a treaty giving protection to domestic household workers all over the world, was passed.

The Obama administration has issued support for this treaty and has joined 46 other nations on the UN Human Rights Council in endorsing these first global standards detailing government duties to regulate business activities and corporate responsibilities to respect human rights.

While it seems like the passage of this treaty brings the rest of the world up to the standards already in place for domestic workers in the United States, INA will continue to monitor how this treaty may affect domestic workers in our country.

For more information about the Domestic Workers Convetion read the International Labour Organization's press release on the topic found at: http://www.ilo.org/ilc/ILCSessions/100thSession/media-centre/press-releases/WCMS_157891/lang--en/index.htm