Organizer Guidelines for National Nanny Training Day

In order to successfully promote this as a national event, it’s important that all events are similar in key areas. Below I’ve outlined the details. If you have any questions or would like to plan an event in your area, please email me. Your help and support will make this a great event for the national nanny community!

Goal: The goal of this event is to:

• promote awareness of the importance of training for nannies. Training and education of caregivers is one of the most important factors associated with the quality of the child care they provide.

• encourage nanny-related businesses and organizations to become actively involved in providing and/or promoting quality nanny training in their local communities.

• provide accessible and affordable quality training opportunities to nannies throughout the country.

• raise the overall quality of nanny care through a well trained nanny workforce.

Date: Saturday, April 28th, 2012. This is the last day of NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child.

Time: You can hold your event at any time that’s convenient for you and the caregivers in your area. In most areas, mornings are the best time for nannies. Depending on how many sessions you’re offering, the event could be just a couple of hours in the morning or an all day event.

Format: You can format your event any way you like. You can offer one session for all attendees or offer a conference like day with eight sessions in four time slots or anything in between. The ideal mix is training session(s), informal networking opportunities, and an optional end of day social event.

Topics: All events should be focused on childcare related training. If you offer one session, it must be childcare related. If you offer two or more sessions, there must be at least a 50:50 ratio between childcare and professional development topics. Childcare topics would include things like positive discipline, the importance of play, or an art make-it-and-take-it. Professional development topics would include negotiating a contract, developing a positive nanny / family relationship or understanding nanny taxes.

Trainers: To ensure all trainings provide a quality experience for attendees, all sessions must be led by qualified trainers. This standard is much easier to meet than most think. Most trainers are certified by or experienced with their local resource and referral agency, local college, local NAEYC chapter, etc. If you have questions about a particular trainer, please let me know.

Attendees: I encourage all events to be open to all in-home caregivers in your local area. You can choose to limit attendance to nannies that have been placed by your agency or that are members of your organization. However in those cases, there’s a good chance there will be an additional event in your area to meet the needs of the greater nanny community.

Cost to You: The biggest expense is usually space and speakers. Your actual cost will depend on the location you choose and the trainers you book. You can generally expect to spend between $150 and $250 for an event. Of course if you have office space available or have a working relationship with trainers, your costs may be much lower. Your costs can be recouped by charging a small fee to attendees.

Cost to Attendees: You’re free to charge attendees whatever fee you feel is appropriate. But please remember, the goal of the event is to offer affordable and accessible training so I encourage you to change only enough to cover your costs. While you won’t make a profit, you will have a great opportunity for some great press and good will.

Events per Area: In some areas, businesses and organizations will work together to plan and promote one event. In other areas, multiple events are a better fit for the local community. This is especially true when:

• an event is limited to nannies who were placed by a specific agency or belong to a specific organization

• the cost of an event is too expensive for the average nanny

• the training is geared towards a certain level of nanny (novice caregivers, career nannies)

Questions? Just send me an email or give me a call at 253 517-8025.