2021 NOTY Information Packet Since 1990, the International Nanny Association (INA) has presented the INA Nanny of the Year™ (NOTY™) award at its Annual Conference to recognize the personal achievements of a working nanny. The INA Nanny of the Year™ serves as an example of the best kind of Nanny and as a positive role model for our association and the in-home child care industry.
Since our humble beginnings in 1985, INA has worked tirelessly to promote the professional Nanny and to raise the standards of in-home child care. In addition to highlighting the positive contributions Nannies make, the INA Nanny of the Year™ award serves as an educational portal, providing a unique opportunity for the public to learn about those who truly are professional Nannies.
This is your chance to recognize an employee, a Nanny you have matched, a peer, a mentor or a friend that exemplifies what it means to be a professional in-home child care provider. There is no better way to honor a Nanny you know than by nominating him/her for the INA Nanny of the Year™ award. It will make a positive, lasting impact on the Nanny's career and will show that you have noticed the difference made in the lives of children and families.
In this packet, you will find: ● Page 1: Timeline for NOTY™ full nomination and selection process ● Page 3: NOTY™ Eligibility requirements ● Page 5: NOTY™ Responsibilities ● Page 7: NOTY™ Nomination Form Step-by-step guide ● Page 8: NOTY™ Digital Portfolio Step-by-step guide ● Page 10: NOTY™ Assessment Criteria ● Page 11: NOTY™ Selection Panel Requirements NEW
Updates this year including the following: ● Due to the number of nominations last year, the committee has come up with a process of narrowing down the candidates. All those nominated and eligible for nominations will continue to be called NOTY™ Nominees. They will be introduced as such the week of March 8th. Once evaluations are complete, the top 5 Nominees will be considered NOTY™ Finalists and announced as such April 26th. The selected 2021 NOTY™ will then be introduced on a date in May yet to be determined. ● We have clarified the possible definition of “specialty nanny” and requirements for individuals who have jobs in addition to their nanny or specialty nanny job. ● We will be waving the requirement for 2021 NOTY™ to attend the next two conferences due to COVID. ● New terms including NOTY™ Finalists, and NOTY™ Selection Panel. ● Shorter deadlines to nominate someone for Nanny of the Year and to fill out the digital portfolio. ● Evaluations are imputed via private google form and 70% of the evaluation by the NOTY™ Selection Panel is done via blind evaluation, meaning they do not see names or locations of the NOTY™ candidate.
Nanny of the Year Timeline
October 29, 2020 - Nominations open via online FORM found on our website. The NOTY™ Committee will work with the INA President to find diverse Selection Panel members based on the requirements listed at the end of this packet.
December 7 , 2020 – Nomination applications deadline. At this time, the office will confirm eligibility.
December 14, 2020 - Nominees will be informed and given access to the digital NOTY™ Portfolio. They will be given until January 25 (6 weeks) to complete the portfolio. A preliminary list of Selection Panel members will be created at this point and sent to the Nominees so they can disclose if they have any personal or professional relationship with these individuals in the Nominees Form.
January 25, 2021 - All digital Portfolios are due by this date. Recorded Nominee Interviews will begin at this point. These interviews are recorded on the INA Zoom account made available to the Selection Panel during the Phase 3 of evaluation. The office will also compile all submissions and redact identifiable information from the NOTY™ Portfolios and Nomination Form. The NOTY™ Committee will work with the INA President to finalize the Selection Panel during this time.
February 22, 2021 - Selection Panel Members will be sent the needed documents and given until March 8th to submit the Phase 1 (blind) Evaluation Form. The office and NOTY™ Committee begin to compile NOTY™ Nominee bios and headshots in order to share these at a later date.
March 8, 2021 - Selection Panel completed all Phase 1 Evaluations and are given all Phase 2 documents for evaluation. They have until March 22th. All NOTY™ Nominees will be publicly introduced via INA Blog, social media and email the week of March 8th.
March 22, 2021 - Phase 2 Evaluations are done. The NOTY™ Committee and office will tabulate the averages. The top 5 candidates will be named NOTY™ Finalists and all those not selected as finalists will be informed. All individuals named NOTY™ Finalists will be asked to complete a background check.
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April 23, 2021 - Background checks should be complete however if background checks are delayed, this and all subsequent deadlines could be delayed as well. The Selection Panel will be informed of the results and plans will be made to inform the 2021 Nanny of the Year™. NOTY™ Finalists are introduced to the public via the INA Blog, social media, and email the week of April 26th.
May 7, 2021 - The 2021 NOTY™ and all runners-up will be informed by this time. The 2021 NOTY™ will begin preparing. The 2021 INA Nanny of the Year™ will be announced late in May 2021 at a date to be determined.
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NOTY Eligibility Requirements
Before submitting the Nomination Form or NOTY Portfolio, please carefully read the list of eligibility requirements and make sure that you or the person you are nominating meet these requirements.
● All individuals that are nominated and are found to be eligible will be considered NOTY™ Nominees. Once evaluations are completed, all NOTY™ Nominees will be publicly introduced. ● The 5 NOTY™Nominees who have the highest scores will be named as NOTY™ Finalists once background checks are complete. ● The top NOTY™ Finalist will be selected to be the INA 2021 Nanny of the Year™.
NOTY Nominees are encouraged, but not required, to take the INA Nanny and/or NCS Credential Exam. To learn more about the INA Nanny and NCS Credential Exam, please visit our website: www.nanny.org.
To be eligible as a NOTY Nominee: ● Be a current Member of INA. ● Have a minimum of 5 years of experience as a Nanny or Specialized Nanny (Newborn Care Specialist, Traveling Nanny, Governess, Temporary Nanny, Resort Nanny, AuPair or other Childcare Professional) in the in-home child care industry. ● Be currently employed full-time in this role. Full-time employment, based on the US Fair Labor Standards Act, is defined as working 40 hours in a seven-day period, or a minimum of 2080 hours per year. Please note that if you work for or own a business in addition to working as a nanny, you must be currently working full time as described above as a nanny in addition to the time you spend working for the business. ● Be legally able to accept employment in the country of current employment. ● Be legally paid as defined by the country of current employment. ● Be nominated by someone other than themselves.
**Please note: In 2021 the INA is waiving the past requirement to attend the 2021 Annual Conference and 2022 Conference since decisions about the 2021 Conference have not yet been made due to COVID at the time of nominations.**
To be selected as the NOTY™ Finalist you must: ● Meet all criteria in the selections above. ● Complete your digital NOTY™ Portfolio and comply with all instructions given to you by the NOTY Committee and INA office by the given deadline.
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● Submit to and pass a full comprehensive background check with no felony record. This background check may include a driving record.
To be selected as the 2021 Nanny of the Year™ you must: ● Meet all criteria in the 2 sections above ● Agree to accept the NOTY™ virtually providing images and giving an acceptance speech. ● Be able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities outlined in this guide (see list on the next page) ● Agree to participate on the NOTY™ Committee the following year and introduce (in person or virtually) the following Nanny of the Year.
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NOTY™ Responsibilities
Before submitting your materials, carefully read the list of duties and responsibilities to ensure you are willing to fulfill the obligations as outlined below.
BEFORE AWARD RECEIVED:
NOTY™ Nominee: ● All eligible nominated individuals must: ○ Fill out the digital portfolio in its entirety. ○ Truthfully respond if you have a personal or professional relationship with any of the potential Selection Panel members. ○ Provide a high-quality headshot and bio (max 150 words) written in 3rd person. ○ To keep their nomination a secret until the INA announces.
NOTY™ Finalists: ● NOTY™ Nominees will be considered NOTY™Finalists when they also: ○ Receive one of the average top 5 NOTY™ Evaluation scores from the NOTY™ Selection Panel. ○ Pass a background check with no felony record. This background check may include a driving record. ○ Provide 4-5 additional images to use for virtual introduction and announcements.
2021 Nanny of the Year™: ● For a NOTY™ Finalists to be selected as 2021 INA Nanny of the Year™, the nanny must also: ◦ Keep the fact that you have been chosen as the 2021 Nanny of the Year™ a secret until the INA announces. ◦ Become knowledgeable about the INA such as but not limited to Recommended Practices, Exams, Assessments, Commitment to Professional Excellence, ◦ Be able to clearly express the benefits of belonging to INA. ◦ Prepare a speech to present at the INA NOTY™ Award Celebration, whether in person at the INA conference or via video. ◦ Present the INA office with a list of media outlets (newspapers, television stations, radio stations) in the area where the Nanny lives and/or works.
IF ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE: Obligations during the INA Annual conference
All NOTY™ Finalists must ● Conduct his or herself in a professional manner, in appearance (business casual) and actions. ● Attend INA’s 2021 Annual Conference and be present at the NOTY™ Celebration.
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2021 Nanny of the Year™ must also: ● Attend conference workshops and assemblies socializing with attendees during scheduled networking breaks and social functions. ● Be available and visible to attendees and press during the INA annual conference. ● Conduct his or herself in a professional manner, in appearance (business casual) and actions. ● Be aware that although they are not the official spokesperson for INA, when speaking to the public, the INA Nanny of the Year™ represents all nannies and the INA—rather than their personal views. ● Become familiar with the information contained in the INA NOTY™ Manual.
If there is a 2021 in-person conference, the 2021 Nanny of the Year™ will receive three nights conference hotel accommodations paid for and free Conference Registration. You should make hotel reservations on your own and contact the INA office for more details about registering for the conference. You are welcome to invite friends and family to the NOTY™ Celebration but must register and pay for their meals through the conference registration form. If there is at 2021 virtual conference, the 2021 Nanny of the Year™ will receive a free registration to the conference.
AFTER the Award is Received: 2021 INA Nanny of the Year™ will be expected to: ● Send thank you notes to all those individuals and businesses that donated to gifts or monetarily to NOTY™. ● Be available to the media in the coming year. ● Be aware that while serving as INA’s 2021 Nanny of the Year™, their conduct and comments about nannies and the industry can impact all nannies and others involved in the in-home child care industry. ● Be available to serve on the NOTY™Committee the following year (2022). NOTY™ recipients can choose what role they would like to play in this Committee. They have the choice to interview the following year NOTY™ Nominees or be on the NOTY Selection Panel. They cannot do both. ● Submit content to the INA Blog editor. Articles, updates and photos are welcomed and encouraged. ● Be willing to encourage other nannies to join INA and become more involved in enhancing the in-home child care industry. ● Review the INA NOTY™ Manual for accuracy. This task includes updating information to make sure it is current for the next NOTY.™ It is suggested that NOTY™ create and maintain a record that chronicles his or her year as NOTY™. ● Encourage others to nominate a nanny for the NOTY™ in the coming year. ● Either be present at the next year's NOTY™ Award Ceremony or provide a video of congratulations to the next year’s recipient.
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NOTY™ Nomination Form Step-By-Step Guide
Anyone wishing to nominate a nanny, ncs, or specialty nanny will need to fill out a simple form with the following information.
Step One - Give basic information on yourself as the nominator including name, email address, phone number, time-zone and your relationship to the person you are nominating.
Step Two - Give basic information on the person you are nominating for INA Nanny of the Year™ including name, email address, phone number, time-zone, length of time as a full-time nanny.
Step Three - Provide the INA with an essay stating why this person should be the INA Nanny of the Year.™ 500-1000 words. Please include thoughts on the candidates: ● Contribution to child development (physical, emotional, social, creativity, and language if applicable) ● Ability to adapt to changes. Demonstrate how the nanny has worked to meet the needs of the family, cope with special problems or challenging events. ● Contribution to the childcare profession. Explain how the nanny has been involved in working with children or the in-home childcare industry outside of his or her job. ● Professional and educational achievements including training, continuing education, years of experience working with children and continuing investments in his or her profession.
Step Four - Answer yes to each of the questions under the Attestation section then submit the form.
Once complete, you can expect to hear from the INA within 2 weeks. Please contact the INA office if you have any questions.
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NOTY™ Digital Portfolio Step-By-Step Guide All Nominees will receive access to the digital NOTY™ Portfolio through their INA Member Portal and must fill it out with the following steps.
Step One - Questions Answer the basic questions about social media links, details on nanny career, credential exams, hobbies, interests, professional goals, and special skills.
Step Two - Cover Letter In 500 words or less please write a letter to the NOTY™ Selection Committee explaining what being a nanny means to you, how your career has impacted the children in your care, why you should be selected as the NOTY™ award recipient and what it would mean to you to receive this honor.
Step Three - Education Explain what completed education you have. High School, GED, College, Technical School, Diploma Programs, Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate Degrees.
Step Four - References Give the INA 2 references of individuals who have first-hand knowledge of your experience caring for children. We will need their name, email, phone number, time-zone, and relationship to you.
Step Five - Essays You will need to write 6 essay questions with a maximum word count of 250 words each. 1. Why do you choose a career with children? 2. What are 3 qualities about you that make you an excellent nanny. Describe how each of them affect your role in the lives of children. 3. If you could see change within the industry, what would it be and why? 4. How do you stay current with professional childcare topics, such as development/milestones, safety, parenting strategies, children’s literature, products, special needs, etc? 5. What is the extent of your involvement in the child care industry outside of your job? 6. Tell us your thoughts on the role of social media in your career as a nanny. Please include both positives and negatives to the use of it in your career.
Step Six - Work History Please provide the following information for each family you have worked for in your career as a nanny. ● Family name (or label this job if NDA prohibits you from giving names) ● Start Date and Finished Date ● Basic days and hours worked ● Age of children cared for in this position
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Step Seven - Certificates and Documentation Please provide the INA with PDF's of earned certificates or other documentation you want to share. Suggested sources for certificates or documentation: ● Diploma or certificate from the most recent educational source ● Professional development training programs or sessions ● Industry-related associations or organizations to which you belong/belonged ● Conferences or workshops you’ve attended
Step Eight - Letters of Recommendation Please provide letters of reference or recommendations from past employers, nanny placement agents, or individuals who witnessed your dedication and commitment to both personal and professional excellence. While these letters may be from the individual references given to the INA in this portfolio, letters from other references are strongly encouraged.
Step Nine - Images Please include photos that capture you in your life as a nanny. Please be sure to get written permission to use in your submission from the parents of any children in the pictures. If your current or past employers prohibit reproduction of pictures featuring you and their children in your work environment, please be sure to alert the NOTY™ Selection Committee in writing.
Step Ten - Attestation Please answer yes to the questions provided.
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Assessment Criteria
The evaluation of the INA NOTY™ Nominees will be divided into 2 Phases. Assessment criteria is below.
Phase one Evaluation: This evaluation takes place after the Nominees have completed their digital portfolio. This is a blind evaluation meaning the Selection Panel will not see any identifiable information on each nominee.
● Performance - 40% ○ Quantity of experience (beyond 5 years) - 10 points ○ Breadth of experience (ages, specialization, etc) - 10 points ○ Volunteer Involvement in Nanny Industry - 10 points ○ Childcare-related Education, Training/Certifications +/or Credentials - 10 points ● References - 30% ○ Professionalism as cited by the Nominator - 10 points ○ Reference #1 - 5 points ○ Reference #2- 5 points ○ Reference Letters within the Application Portfolio - 10 points
Phase 2 Evaluation: : This takes place after all Selection Panel complete Phase 2 evaluation and submit their scores. This is an open evaluation meaning that selection will see the names, images, and other identifying information.
● Presence - 30% ○ Application Portfolio - Content (quality, appropriate & completeness of answers) - 5 points ○ Application Portfolio - Confidence (presence, personality, comfortability) - 5 points ○ Interview - Content (quality, appropriate & completeness of answers) - 5 points ○ Interview - Overall presence (confidence, personality, comfort) - 5 points ○ Overall professionalism as cited by the Selection Committee Volunteer - 10 points
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Selection Panel Requirements
The Selection Panel will be made up of 5 individuals including nannies, nanny business owners, business staff, educators, and nanny employers. A conscious effort will be made to provide an international group of individuals in the industry.
Selection Panelist have the following requirements: ● Be a part of the nanny industry in some way (nanny, NCS, placement agency, educator, industry service provider, business staff, or nanny employer) ● Have integrity, are intuitive, and inclusive. ● They must have no direct connection to any of the NOTY™ Nominees. This will be determined before final selection is made by informing the NOTY Nominees the individuals on a preliminary list. ● Be willing to spend the following time February and March 2021. ○ Phase 1 Evaluations: 10-20 hours (depending on how many NOTY™ Nominees there are) reading and evaluating the NOTY™ Nominees cover letters, nominations letter, essays, letters of recommendation, and other provided information then filling out the Phase 2 Evaluation Form. ○ Phase 2 Evaluations: 5-10 hours listening to the NOTY™ interviews, looking at social media, and providing images of the NOTY™ Nominees then filling out the Phase 3 Evaluation Form.
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