About INA
The International Nanny Association (INA), a nonprofit organization, serves as the umbrella organization for the in-home child care industry. INA members include nannies, nanny employers, nanny agencies, educators and industry service providers. For almost a quarter of a century, INA has worked to professionalize the industry by setting high standards for industry professionals and nanny agencies. INA leverages the expertise of industry professionals from around the globe to help increase awareness about the industry, to develop the professional skills of nannies, and to educate parents about the benefits of hiring a qualified nanny to care for their children. Click here for INA’s mission statement.
The Story Behind INA
In 1985, Dr. Deborah Davis, then a young mother and educator, founded INA. Her mission was to help legitimize and professionalize the nanny profession. Thanks to her insight and personal sacrifices, in 1985, she brought together nanny agency owners, nannies and nanny educators from the United States, England, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for the first INA conference. More than 100 people gathered at Scripps College in Claremont, California, to focus on training and professionalism for in-home caregivers in the United States. Since then, INA has become one of the country’s leading associations to press for professional standards, recognition and working conditions for nannies. The public eventually caught on that a professional nanny is not simply a baby sitter or housekeeper—but a professional who is trained in child development techniques.
What has INA Accomplished?
INA’s mandate is to provide education, information, networking, advocacy and research relating to the in-home child care industry. In the last 20 years, INA members have established definitions for various in-home child care positions, published recommended practices for nannies and placement agencies, and developed a comprehensive list of skills that educators can use in designing curriculum for nanny training programs. INA also developed the first nationally recognized Nanny Credential Exam and a comprehensive Family and Nanny Agreement.
The quarterly INAVision newsletter is supplemented by our web site, www.nanny.org, and a range of INA publications on industry standards for nannies and agencies. INA continues to provide continuing education programs via an annual conference where nannies, agency owners, educators and industry service providers are brought together to attend workshops and personal development sessions. INA conducts industry studies and tracks the latest news and industry related trends to keep its members and the public informed.
INA’s Board of Directors
The association is governed by a board of directors, along with numerous committees and volunteers. Click here for more information on INA’s board of directors. INA’s corporate office is based in Houston, Texas.
Who Should Join INA
You are invited to join INA to help make a difference in our industry. Click here for details on INA member benefits.