INA Individual Membership Dues Slashed

The International Nanny Association has announced that effective immediately, all individual membership dues have been reduced from $95 per year to $35! This membership includes:

• Discounted registration for the INA annual conference, coming to San Francisco in the May of 2010
• Access to INA publications and resources
• Nanny mentors and support groups
• Eligibility for the Nanny of the Year recognition
• A discount on taking the Nanny Credential Exam

An INA membership is a great holiday gift for the professional nanny in your life. Learn more here.

Snowy Fun

When the snow flies, be prepared with some new outdoor games! Check out these snow and ice-rink games from Disney FamilyFun.

15 Ways to Thank Your Nanny

By Nannies from the Heartland staff

As we approach Thanksgiving and the December holidays, families often ask us how they can thank their amazing nannies. Here are some ideas from the Nannies from the Heartland staff!

Why Should Families use a Full-Service Agency?

By Colleen O'Connor

A full-service nanny agency is the best way to find the most-qualified candidates for your family. When you post a job on your own, be prepared to eliminate at least 90% of respondents, and likely even more in this competitive job climate. You will find applicants who are unqualified, who provide misleading or vague information, or who don't show up for interviews. Some may have been already rejected by placement agencies. You may also find a great candidate, but why waste your time searching for the needle in the haystack? The best nannies often come to Nannies from the Heartland because they seek the security and top-quality jobs we provide.

Why Should Nannies use a Full-Service Agency?

By Colleen O'Connor

As a childcare professional, you want to find a job with employers who will recognize you as such. You want fair and safe working conditions, competitive compensation, and to be trusted for your expertise. The best employment opportunities can be found through placement agencies, as they are often not posted elsewhere. Families seeking high-quality nannies turn to Nannies from the Heartland because of the assistance, screening, privacy, and security we provide. We specialize in making matches between the most selective families and best-qualified nannies.

How Our Placement Process Works

By Colleen O'Connor

If you have never worked with a nanny placement service before, you may have questions about what the process is like. Not every agency is the same, but here's how Nannies from the Heartland helps great families and experienced nannies find that perfect match.

Promoting Healthy Habits

I just attended an excellent nanny day conference where two of the speakers focused on healthy habits for children and families. Their information was certainly pertinent especially because we are in the cold and flu season. Concern is only heightened by the H1N1 flu outbreak.

Positive Playdates: Building Social Skills

Building social skills in children is always a key objective for both parents and nannies. Playdates can be positive experiences for building skills before those formal school years. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning playdate experiences.

Teaching Kids Gratitude

Thanksgiving is great, but how can we encourage children to feel and show gratitude during the rest of the year? Check out this excellent and timely article from Parents magazine: Teaching Kids Gratitude.