What is the International Nanny Association (nanny.org)?

Updated

The International Nanny Association (INA), at nanny.org, is an umbrella association for the in-home child care industry. It provides information, education, and guidance to both the public and industry professionals, and its stated mission is to elevate and nurture the quality of childcare while serving a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. If you are a nanny, a newborn care specialist (NCS), a family employing in-home care, an agency, an educator, an industry service provider, or a member of the media, the INA organizes its resources around you.

Who the INA serves

The site frames its audience as distinct groups, each with a dedicated support path:

Audience What the INA offers
Nannies A purposeful professional community, recommended practices, employment rights information, and credentials
NCS (newborn care specialists) Specialized support for a growing newborn care career, including recommended practices and credentials
Families Trusted information for parents navigating the process of employing a nanny, including an employer handbook and childcare definitions
Agencies Resources and a professional network to enhance a nanny agency business
Educators A way to show dedication to educating those in the nanny industry
Industry services Connection to the entire nanny industry they serve
Media The INA presents itself as a recognized authority on in-home childcare and a source for expert commentary

What resources it points people to

The site highlights a set of "most helpful pages" organized by audience:

  • For nannies: Recommended Practices for Nannies, Recommended Practices for NCS, Recommended Practices for Support Groups, Employment Rights of Nannies, and Credentials for Nannies and NCS.
  • For parents: Recommended Practices for Nanny Families, the Nanny Employer Handbook, Childcare Definitions, and Tax and Payroll guidance.

These are starting points rather than a full catalog — the association describes itself as leveraging the expertise of industry professionals from around the globe to increase awareness of the industry, develop nannies' professional skills, and educate parents about the benefits of hiring a qualified nanny.

Why the association exists

Two commitments run through the site's messaging:

  1. Quality. The INA positions itself as a standard-bearer for quality in-home childcare across the globe, and invites members to "join our mission to elevate and nurture the quality of childcare."
  2. Inclusion. The association states it is committed to serving a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community where everyone in the industry feels respected, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, education, or other individual orientation. It maintains a Diversity Committee and related initiatives.

When this site is useful to you

  • You are considering a nanny career or are already working as one and want recommended practices, credentials, or employment rights information.
  • You are a parent weighing whether and how to hire a nanny and want employer-oriented guidance.
  • You run an agency, teach in the field, or provide services to the industry and want a professional network.
  • You are a journalist or researcher looking for an industry association to cite on nanny-related topics.

The site also invites visitors to become a member, though specific membership pricing and terms are not stated in the material available here — check the membership page directly for current details.