2011 International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year

Introducing INA's 2011 Nanny Of The Year™, Marcia Hall of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marcia Hall has been working with children and families for the past fifteen years. She is a Certified Professional Nanny, an INA Cre­dentialed Nanny, a 3-time nominee for the International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year award and an ACPI Certified Coach for Families. Marcia is a graduate of the English Nanny and Governess School (1997) and of the Academy of Coaching Parents International (2010) and has served as a certified minister, children’s ministry director and foster parent. Marcia also serves as a leader of the Northshore Professional Nanny Alliance.

Marcia resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband Scott and their 2-year­old daughter Nadia, whom they adopted days after birth. Marcia believes that the knowledge she has gained through becoming a parent is invaluable to her career. She now understands on a deeper level the stress and emotions parents face as they make decisions and raise their children.

26th Annual Internation Nanny Association Conference

by Mary O'Connor

I recently attended the 26th annual International Nanny Association (INA) conference in Tampa, Florida.  It's always great to gather with colleagues, learn from peers and attend educational sessions. The heat, swimming pool and sitting on the beach on Tampa Bay was also a treat after our long winter and cold spring. I attended several sessions on social media, search engine optimization, creating online videos etc. It was a bit mind numbing at times but also energizing to learn new things and how to incorporate into our business. One of my colleagues recalled the days back in the early 90's when fax machines were the new technology! And of course, no one had email, websites or Facebook back then.

Nanny Salary Survey Summary

The International Nanny Association (INA) annual researches nanny salaries through a survey tool. Nannies volunteer information in this confidential survey to be compiled by INA. Agencies were also asked for information pertinent to the industry. For the full survey summary check out the following link:
http://www.nanny.org/pdf/2011SalarySummaryFINAL.pdf

Is It Spring Yet?

by Kelly Miller

Here is a fun game to play!  Get the children outside and let them work on their observation skills.  Each player gets one point for every sign of spring they find.  This game is meant to be played over a period of days.  To add interest have the children come up with a list of their own of "spring things" - enjoy!

                                                                  

-the sounds of spring: peepers, frogs and toads

-thunder
-music from an open car window
-a woodpecker
-a bird signing
-a plant emerging from the ground
-a bud on a tree or bush
-a flower in bloom
-a mushroom
-sap oozing from a tree
-a dog or cat shedding
-a brightly colored bird
-a salamander
-a newborn animal
-a turtle sunning on a log
-a baby out in a stroller
-a screen where a window used to be
-laundry hanging out to dry
-bathing suits in a shop window
-someone in-line skating or skateboarding

Scarfed Potatoes!

by Kelly Miller

My daughter and I were at the library recently, and we found a unique craft book:  Kid Made Modern by Todd Oldham.  Oldham states his book is inspired by mid-century modern design.  We immediately went home and started planning activities. 

Scarfed Potatoes was perfect for us.  "It's easy to make a potato printed tube scarf out of a cut up t-shirt printed with Marimekko inspired geometric patterns, " Oldham states.  And he is right! 

Supplies:  XXL white t-shirt, potato, fabric paint, scissors, knife

1.  Make a stamp by cutting potato in half, and then slice a square stamp form into the cut face.  Remove the side pieces away from the square form by slicing inward along the side.
2.  Cut across the t-shirt just under the sleeve and cut off the hem (you will have a rectangle shape of fabric).  Slide a piece of cardboard or foil inside the shirt to prevent the ink from going through to the other side.
3.  Hold the round end of the stamp, place stamp onto fabric paint and stamp your pattern on the fabric.  Follow washing directions on your fabric paint.

This book is worth reserving at the library.  Other fun projects include making your own building blocks and making a purse out of an envelope and duct tape.