National Nanny Recognition Week (NNRW) is quickly approaching! This will be my first year celebrating, not because I am new to being a Nanny, but because I just knew nothing about it. I am gathering that unless you are linked into one of the national organizations, like INA, APN, or NANC, this is new to you as well. So I thought that with September beginning, this would be a good time to highlight some of the basics of our week!
High5: NNRW, Details to Know!
5. When is it? The Week of Sept. 20-26, 2009
All over the U.S. groups of Nannies will be gathering to celebrate together. Some Nanny groups will reach out to the community is a special way, while others will simply celebrate with each other. CincyNanny will meet on Sat., Sept. 26th, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Redtree Gallery in Oakley. There will be a complimentary dinner, resources, and community with other Professional Nannies. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.cincynanny.com or see the above blog.
4. Who Started it?
NNRW was started by the Association for Professional Nannies. APN is an organization for nannies who have made a conscious choice to be “Career Nannies”. Their mission is “to promote and achieve professionalism in the nanny industry, education in areas related to childhood development, and expertise in our chosen field”.
3. It’s about….. Honoring Our Community
Many groups will take this as an opportunity to give back to the communities they work in and for. Examples are: hosting a carnival or book drive, cleaning up a local park, volunteering for a charity or hospital. [CincyNanny is a brand new community of Nannies, but I am sure that we will be doing some of this next year.]
2. It’s about….. Honoring the Nanny Industry
We have so many professional associations that we can honor with our affiliation. They provide for us a standard to work and live by. Send them a note of appreciation. Join them, by becoming a member. Read over their Codes of Ethics and decide if that is the standard you hold for yourself. Honor other industry professionals as well, such as agencies, support groups, and educational providers. With out these industry professionals we would not be where are.
1. And of course, it’s about….. Honoring Nannies
The week is specifically about honoring professional Nannies for all they do. As a Nanny we surely can get in on the appreciation: send a card or yellow rose to a Nanny that you know, take them out to dinner or invite them to your groups’ event. If you are a local Nanny please RSVP and join us at our event on Sept. 26th.
If you are an employer and are looking for ideas for you Nanny, I have copied a list from APN’s website to give you some further ideas!
Ways to show appreciation to your Nanny…
- Encourage your children to say “Thank You”
- Tell your friends good things about her knowing that she will hear them back
- Share your days off
- Tell her when she does something great
- Give her a card or framed photo of and by the children
- Investments
- Membership fees to a local nanny support group or national professional organization
- A gift of conference fees with paid professional days to attend events will increase her sense of pride.
- Tuition (or paid time off) for college courses or CPR training
- A special dinner in or out, perhaps including on with some of her friends
- A raise or bonus
- An IRA
- A gift basket
- Gift certificates
- Movie tickets
- Manicure/Pedicure
- A massage
- Birthday off
- Hotel stays
- Frequents flyer miles
- Gym membership
Please tell your Nanny thank you and share your appreciation.
