Thursday, September 25, 2014

What is the International Nanny Association?

Quite frequently, I'll tell someone that I'm International Nanny Association certified and I'll be met with a blank stare. Most people, understandably so, aren't familiar with the INA, and they don't know why it matters if a nanny is INA certified.

What is the International Nanny Association? 
The International Nanny Association (INA) is the nonprofit organization that serves as the umbrella association for the in-home childcare industry. It provides information, resources, education, and guidance to both professional in-home workers (nannies, personal assistance, butlers, ect) and the families who hire them. The INA sets high standards and guidelines for professionals that hold an INA certification. 

What are the benefits of hiring an INA certified nanny?
INA certified nannies agree to adhere to the INA's Commitment to Professional Excellence and Recommended Practices, and must pass a background check.  

What else should I know about the INA?
The INA has tons of resources for families. From interviewing nannies to helping you draft a contract once you've hired one, you should always check their website for helpful guides. 

For more information about the International Nanny Association, visit their website at nanny.org.


Daily Care Logs

I like to give parents peace-of-mind by keeping a written record of their child's daily care. I created these Daily Care Logs for my current charge, and keep them in a binder that we keep in the nanny family's house. This not only allows the parents to have a detailed report of their child's day, but it also allows the parent to have a timeline of their child's milestones, first words and language development, and other information that they may need or want to remember as their child grows older.


Here's an example of the care report I created for my last charge: