FAQs

Yes. The US Nanny Institute is an accredited career college through NCFE CACHE (Council for Awards in Care, Health, and Education). This accreditation that issues childcare credentials recognized throughout the United Kingdom. The Institute’s programs also meet the published National Standards of the US Nanny Association.

Unlike general childcare courses, the Nanny Institute’s curriculum is built specifically for in-home childcare providers. The programs are taught by credentialed college faculty (not fellow nannies or industry coaches). The nanny programs include downloadable study guides, require a proficiency exam to earn certification, and result in an official transcript. These ensure the Nanny Institute has a rigorous academic program rather than a simple certificate of attendance. Graduates are also actively sought by top nanny agencies across the US and internationally.

No. The US Nanny Institute and the US Nanny Association (USNA) are separate organizations. The Nanny Institute is an education and training provider; the USNA issues professional credentials. The Nanny Institute is a member of the USNA, and its programs are approved to satisfy the training requirements and prepare nannies for USNA credential exams including the Certified Nanny and Childcare Provider (NCP), Certified Newborn and Infant Professional (NICP), and Certified Professional Nanny and Childcare Provider (PNCP).

No. The Nanny Institute’s curriculum is proprietary and exclusively delivered by the Nanny Institute. We do not license, sell, or share our course content with other organizations, training providers, or educators. There is no authorized version of this curriculum anywhere else.

No. Only the Nanny Institute delivers Nanny Institute training. Our faculty, curriculum, and certification process are not available for external use, sublicensing, or replication. If you encounter a program claiming to be based on or affiliated with Nanny Institute content, it is not authorized and the resulting credential is not a Nanny Institute certification.

No. Our curriculum is proprietary and exclusively taught through the Nanny Institute. We do not train outside educators to deliver our content. We do not permit other organizations to use or replicate our programs. The only way to earn a Nanny Institute certification is to enroll directly with us at usnannyinstitute.com.

All Nanny Institute programs are delivered entirely online through on-demand video, available 24/7 from any device. There are no regular in-person classes, scheduled sessions, or campus locations. The online format is intentional as it allows working nannies to complete their certification without disrupting their current employment. Occasionally the Nanny Institute faculty deliver in-person group training for agency partners, but these sessions are not open to public enrollment.

No. Programs are sold as complete curriculums, not individual classes. The programs are sequential, so each class builds on the one before it. Taking classes out of sequence won’t deliver the foundation and comprehensive training. More importantly, the Nanny Institute’s reputation is built on the standard that every graduate has completed the entire program. This standard is what makes Nanny Institute certifications valuable to agencies and families.

The Professional Nanny and Child Care Certification is the Nanny Institute’s most comprehensive program. It includes 50-60 hours of online coursework. Upon completion, graduates earn the US Professional Childcare Certification, a Newborn and Infant Care Certification, an official transcript, and the internationally recognized NCFE CACHE Level 4 credential. Graduates meet the training requirements for the US Nanny Association’s PNCP (Professional Nanny and Childcare Provider) credential.

The Leadership series is offered to Professional program students at no additional cost. Taught by a leadership development specialist, it consists of Leading from the Inside Out, Leadership Development: Is It You or Me?, and Building a Solid Foundation. The series focuses on self-awareness, professional accountability, understanding your own work style and that of the families you work for, and how to give and receive professional feedback. It is designed for nannies who want to operate at the highest level of professional independence.

The Newborn and Infant Care Certification is a 20-hour, standalone program for those specializing in caring for babies. Newborn and Infant care specialists primarily work during the start of a child’s life to help families learn best practices and help establish schedules through the first 18 months. Upon completion, graduates meet the training requirements for the USNA’s Newborn and Infant Care Professional (NICP) credential.

1. Completing Nanny Institute programs satisfies the training requirements for the following USNA credentials: Nanny and Childcare Provider (NCP), Newborn and Infant Care Professional (NICP), and Professional Nanny and Childcare Provider (PNCP). Earning a USNA credential requires additional steps through the USNA, including an exam, CPR and First Aid certification, a background check, and work experience. These are separate from your Nanny Institute certification.

NCFE CACHE (Council for Awards in Care, Health, and Education) is a UK-based organization with over 70 years of history that issues internationally recognized vocational qualifications in childcare. Nanny Institute graduates earning the Professional Certification also receive the NCFE CACHE Level 4 Nanny Institute Childcare Provider award.

NCFE CACHE, or the Council for Awards in Care, Health, and Education, is an organization that offers qualifications in technical and vocational learning. CACHE has developed qualifications of excellence for over 70 years and with more than 1,000 UK-based and overseas delivery partners.

NCFE is an awarding organisation recognised by the qualification regulators for England (Ofqual), Wales (Qualifications Wales) and Northern Ireland (CCEA Regulation). This is an unregulated qualification and is not a nationally recognised qualification.

The Nanny Institute qualification has been developed to meet the specific needs of our learners and has been accredited by NCFE demonstrating the quality and rigor. The Nanny Institute qualification has been accredited as a Customised Qualification and we have benchmarked the qualification’s learning outcomes and assessment criteria at Level 4.

You can verify the Nanny Institute’s approved centre and accreditation on the CACHE website.

On completion of the Customised Qualification, learners will receive a certificate of achievement. The certificate is evidence of the knowledge and skills gained by completing the qualification. This qualification has been accredited by NCFE under the Customised Qualification and the certificate of achievement will be issued by NCFE.

The US Nanny Institute is the only Level 4 accredited program, other nanny programs are level 3 because they are taught by nannies, not college faculty and they do not have a university level curriculum. NCFE Level 3 qualifications (e.g., A-levels, T-levels, Diplomas) focus on technical knowledge and skilled work, equivalent to post-16 education. NCFE Level 4 qualifications represent higher education, focusing on specialized technical skills, leadership, and management, equivalent to the first year of a degree or HNC.

A certificate of attendance is issued simply for completing a course, often without an assessment, exam, or demonstrated knowledge required. A Nanny Institute certification requires completing all coursework, passing a quiz after each class with a minimum score of 80%, and passing a final proficiency exam with a minimum score of 80%. It also comes with an official transcript. This distinction matters because agencies and families use Nanny Institute certifications as a verified knowledge benchmark.

Depending on the program level, students get access to additional optional courses at no extra charge. These include Tips for Live-In Nannies, Photographing Children, Children with Diabetes, Speech and Language Development, Supporting eLearning, Caring for Pets, Financial Services for Nannies, and the Leadership Development seminar series. Optional course instructors are confirmed experts in their fields. Note that optional courses are not required for certification and do not count toward required program hours.

All enrolled students get access to 5 on-demand job placement support courses at no additional charge. They include Expert Resumes for Nannies (building a traditional and visual resume, LinkedIn portfolio), Job Search Strategies (finding positions, networking, social media), Interview Skills (preparation, what to expect, thank you notes), Negotiating Compensation (identifying your priorities, communicating salary and benefits), and Work Agreements (templates, pay, overtime, benefits). These courses are optional and do not count toward program certification hours, but they are among the most practically useful resources the Nanny Institute provides.

The CDA is administered by the Council for Professional Recognition and is designed primarily for caregivers working in group childcare settings like preschools, Head Start programs, and family daycare homes. The Nanny Institute’s programs are built specifically for in-home, private household childcare. That said, the Nanny Institute curriculum is developed in alignment with CDA and Early Childhood Education (ECE) training standards, so the knowledge base is rigorous and complementary. If your goal is professional nanny work in private households, the Nanny Institute certification is the more directly relevant credential. If you are pursuing work in licensed group childcare settings, review the CDA and your state’s specific requirements.

No. If you have completed the Nanny Institute Newborn Care program and want to enroll in the Professional program, you do not repeat the courses you have already completed. A special enrollment pathway is available. Go to usnannyinstitute.com/enroll and scroll down to the section for returning students. You will see an option that says, “Completed Newborn. Start Professional”. You will need to complete the remaining Professional program coursework and pass the Professional exam to earn the full Professional certification.

Enrollment is completed entirely online. You pay your tuition and fees on the website, then check your email (including Spam/Junk folder) to access your student account. You must sign an Enrollment Agreement and upload a copy of your government-issued ID. Classes typically unlock within 45 minutes of completing this process.

Yes. The Nanny Institute accepts students from around the world. All programs are available online from any location. Graduates currently span more than 20 countries.

Yes. The five-level Basic-to-Professional pathway must be completed in order (Basic → Intermediate → Advanced → Specialist → Professional). You cannot access Intermediate content until Basic is complete, and so on. Within each level, you may take individual courses in any order. The Newborn and Infant Care program is a standalone program that can be taken independently.

Each proficiency exam is multiple choice with 50 questions. A minimum score of 40 out of 50 or 80% is required to pass. Two attempts are allowed for each exam. Students who do not pass on either attempt fail the program and must re-enroll at full tuition to repeat the program in its entirety.

Every program has a 12-week enrollment window, and it’s recommended that students complete a minimum of 10% of their coursework each week to stay on track. All classes are on-demand and available 24/7 to support your schedule and learning pace. The only hard rule is that all classes and the final exam must be completed before the program due date. The system will remove access on the program due date.

Yes. Students who prefer to audit pay full tuition and receive complete access to all class videos, downloadable study guides, and course quizzes. The difference is that auditing students do not sit the final proficiency exam and therefore do not earn a certification or official transcript. To audit a program, purchase it online and then submit form 109 with your signature. Auditing students who decide they want to earn their certification may elect to take the exam as long as it’s within their enrollment period.

No. Due to the specialized, nanny-centric nature of the curriculum, transfer credits from other institutions are not accepted. It’s a requirement that all students complete the full program requirements to earn their certification.

Yes. The Nanny Institute uses Litmos as its eLearning platform, which includes a mobile app (Litmos Mobile). You can access all courses 24/7 from any smartphone or tablet using your Nanny Institute username and password.

You can’t fast-forward through a class, but classes can be replayed as many times as you like. The system tracks completion to ensure all courses and quizzes are finished before the final exam unlocks.

The Nanny Institute has 30+ faculty members, all of whom hold advanced degrees, have at least 5 years of relevant experience, and specialize in childcare. Instructors include pediatricians, early childhood educators, child psychologists, nutritionists, teachers, attorneys, sleep trainers, and experienced professional nannies.

Currently, all Nanny Institute classes are available in English only. We are working on Spanish translations but do not have a release date.

No. All course materials are included in the tuition and fees. Each class has a downloadable study guide at no extra cost. These materials are for personal use only. All course videos and resources are copyrighted and may not be used for any business purpose.

Litmos is the eLearning platform the Nanny Institute uses to deliver all courses. When you enroll, your student account is created in Litmos. You log in through your browser or the Litmos mobile app to enroll, watch class videos, download and complete study guides, take quizzes, and complete your final proficiency exam. Your progress, certifications, and transcripts are stored in your Litmos account.

A one-time 6-week extension may be granted to students who experience a significant hardship that prevents them from completing the program within the 12-week window. To request an extension, email info@usnannyinstitute.com no later than two weeks before your enrollment expiration date.

If granted, all program requirements must be completed within the 6-week extension as no further extensions will be granted. If a student cannot finish within the extension period, the program must be re-purchased in full.

No. Each program level must be fully completed including all coursework, quizzes with a minimum 80% score, and the final proficiency exam before the next level unlocks. The curriculum is sequential by design, and each level builds directly on what came before it.

No. Each enrollment is for a single student and sharing login credentials is a violation of the enrollment agreement. Any persons other than the enrolled student taking the proficiency exams or completing program requirements is grounds for dismissal from the program without refund. Each person who wishes to earn a Nanny Institute certification must enroll individually. Certifications and transcripts are issued to the enrolled student by name and cannot be transferred.

You can reach the admissions office by email at info@usnannyinstitute.com at any time. As needed, we’ll schedule in person calls and/or video meetings. For technical support with the Litmos platform specifically, contact Litmos Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm CST with emergency after-hours support on most days.

Immediately. Upon completing all program requirements, you can download your certification and official transcript right away through your student account.

No. Once earned, a Nanny Institute certification does not expire. Continuing education is strongly encouraged to advance your career, but renewal is not required to maintain your credential.

Yes. Every certification includes an official Nanny Institute transcript listing all program courses completed. The transcript is included in the file you download with your certification. This transcript can be shared with potential employers, nanny agencies, and families.

Yes. The Nanny Institute responds to all requests for accommodations. We work collaboratively with the student to define and implement reasonable accommodations that meet their individual needs. Contact the school directly at info@usnannyinstitute.com to discuss your needs before or after enrolling.

Yes. The Nanny Institute currently offers two, competitive scholarships for students who qualify. Both require a completed application submitted to info@usnannyinstitute.com. Application forms are available at usnannyinstitute.com/scholarships.

The Nivens Scholarship provides $350 toward Basic Childcare tuition for high school graduates pursuing a career as a nanny, sitter, or family assistant. One award is available annually, with applications due by September 15.

The Herk Scholarship provides $700 toward Intermediate Childcare tuition for the same eligible applicants. One award is available annually, with applications due by April 30.

Nanny Institute programs do not participate in federal student aid programs and are not eligible for FAFSA-based financial aid. However, tuition and fees may be tax deductible if the program is sufficiently connected to your current employment activities. Consult a tax professional for guidance on your specific situation.

If the Nanny Institute does not accept your enrollment, or if you cancel within 3 business days of payment without starting any classes, you will receive a full refund minus a $50 non-refundable enrollment fee. Canceling after completing up to 10% of the program results in a pro-rata refund. Canceling after completing more than 10% of the program results in no refund. All refunds are issued within 30 days.

No. The Nanny Institute does not generate 1098-T tuition statement forms. However, tuition and fees may be tax deductible if the program is sufficiently connected to your current employment activities.

Yes, and many families contribute to their nanny’s professional development costs. If you’d like to request this, frame it as a direct investment in the quality of care their children receive as families who support credentialing get a more knowledgeable caregiver.

If someone else is paying for your program, they can purchase it online. If they don’t need a receipt, they enter your email address at check out and your student account will be set up in your name automatically. If they do need a receipt, they use their own email address to purchase, then contact us at info@usnannyinstitute.com and we’ll transfer the account to the student’s name.

Certification gives you negotiating power. Families hiring for full-time positions, especially those working through professional nanny agencies, expect candidates to have credentials. Nannies with formal certification are better positioned to negotiate contracts, request raises, and pursue premium placements with high-net-worth families who prioritize qualified care.

Yes. Most nanny applicants have experience but no formal credentials. A Nanny Institute certification, especially at the Professional level, immediately separates you from the majority of candidates. Nanny agencies and families screening applicants use certification as a shorthand for commitment, reliability, and knowledge. It answers the question every employer has: ‘Can I trust this person with my child?’ before the interview even starts.

Your skills are largely what you figured out on your own. That’s valuable. It’s also incomplete. The child psychology framework you were never taught, the infant sleep science behind why something worked or didn’t, and the legal knowledge that would have changed how you handled a contract.

You don’t know what you don’t know when experience is your only teacher. Nanny certification builds the knowledge underneath what you’ve already developed through work experience.

The Nanny Institute fills gaps you don’t know you have. You’ll learn positive discipline from a child psychologist, infant sleep science from a sleep specialist, legal rights and responsibilities from a childcare attorney, and child nutrition from a registered nutritionist. These aren’t topics families teach their nannies. They’re gaps that experience can’t fill.

Yes. The Basic Child Care Certification is designed for first time nannies, sitters and part-time caregivers to provide immediate, practical knowledge in child safety, discipline, and development. Even at the entry level, certification makes you a more credible and confident caregiver. For families choosing between sitters, a credential can tip it into your favor.

Rather than relying solely on references and interviews, certification gives families objective evidence that a caregiver has been trained by experts, tested on their knowledge, and held to a professional standard. Nanny Institute certified caregivers have demonstrated competency in child development, safety, nutrition, and professional conduct. These skills directly support your child and the family experience.

The Nanny Institute certification is a strong foundation and is often enough to get employment and work with a reputable agency. All nannies and sitters should also hold current CPR and First Aid certification. Depending on your career goals, earning the US Nanny Association industry credentials can be an added benefit.

The Nanny Institute and US Nanny Association (USNA) measure different things and work together. The Nanny Institute certification documents that you completed a specific training program and passed a proficiency exam. It’s an educational credential issued by the school.

The USNA credential is an industry credential that requires childcare training (which is what’s provided by the Nanny Institute), work experience, a background check, CPR and First Aid certification, and a separate exam based on the National Nanny Standards.

Both carry weight in the professional market. Nanny Institute training satisfies the USNA training requirement, so most nannies can earn both by completing Nanny Institute training first, then applying to the USNA for the corresponding credential.

The Nanny Institute does not provide job placement services, but our programs do come with employment support. At no additional charge, students can access resume writing, interview preparation, work agreements and other job-related coursework to find employment. The Nanny Institute also connects graduates with reputable nanny agencies and domestic placement services across the US and internationally. From there, the relationship is between the student and the agency.

Graduates pursue careers as professional nannies, live-in nannies, newborn care specialists, infant care specialists, travel nannies, family assistants, household managers, and childcare providers for high-net-worth families. Professional Certification graduates are particularly sought after by premium domestic staffing agencies domestically and internationally.

Yes. Agency owners and families nationwide use Nanny Institute certification as a benchmark when screening candidates. Professional Certification graduates who also hold the NCFE CACHE Level 4 credential are eligible for positions through top international agencies that specifically seek UK-credentialed nannies.

Yes. Add it in the Licenses and Certifications section of your LinkedIn profile. List the issuing organization as US Nanny Institute, the credential name as your specific certification level (for example, Professional Childcare Certification), and include the issue date. If you also hold the NCFE CACHE Level 4, list that separately with NCFE CACHE as the issuing organization. The Nanny Institute’s job placement support course PS 601 covers exactly how to build and modernize your professional profile on LinkedIn (and it’s included in your enrollment at no extra charge).

Tell them the Nanny Institute is an accredited trade school, not a general online course, where you were taught by child psychologists, pediatricians, licensed attorneys, registered dietitians, and early childhood educators to better care for kids. You can share that you had to pass a proficiency exam to earn the certification, then share your official transcript.

Nanny Institute certified caregivers have completed a structured, college-faculty-taught curriculum covering child development by age group, positive discipline, newborn and infant care, child safety, legal considerations, nutrition, and professional conduct. Their training has been validated through exams, not just attendance. This gives families confidence that their caregiver has been held to a meaningful standard.

Certified nannies typically command higher salaries than non-certified candidates, reflecting their investment in professional development and the value they bring to families. The salary premium varies by market, experience level, and specialization. Families consistently report the investment in a credentialed caregiver pays off in quality of care and peace of mind.

Most child development research supports the value of consistent, one-on-one responsive care in the first two years of life. This is a great time to hire a certified nanny to provide more support than a group setting. After age two or three, quality daycare offers valuable peer interaction and structured programming. Many families use a certified nanny for the infant and toddler years and transition to preschool around age two to three. If your child has specific developmental needs, medical considerations, or your schedule is irregular, a certified nanny typically remains the better option regardless of age.

Your nanny’s certification status does not directly affect your eligibility for dependent care FSA funds or the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. The benefits are based on your employment status, your child’s age, and the nature of the care expenses. However, hiring a certified nanny who is properly paid on the books with a W-2 and correct payroll tax compliance enables the expenses to qualify. Certified nannies are more likely to insist on proper employment documentation, which is what activates the tax benefit for families.

Many nanny programs and courses are taught by experienced nannies and only teach a subset of the comprehensive Nanny Institute curriculum. They often issue a certificate of completion or issue a certification without having teaching credentials or accreditation. The Nanny Institute is accredited, and its programs are taught by faculty with advanced degrees and direct experience. To get certified, students are required to pass a per-course quiz at 80% and a final proficiency exam at 80%. When a family or agency sees a Nanny Institute certification, they know the caregiver was trained and assessed against a rigorous standard.

Beyond asking to see the certification and transcript, which any certified nanny can provide immediately from their student account, the most revealing questions are behavioral ones that test applied knowledge. Ask them to explain their approach to discipline for your child’s specific age. Ask what they know about safe sleep if you have an infant. Ask how they’ve handled a specific behavioral challenge in a previous position. Certified nannies who have completed the Nanny Institute program can answer these with specificity, drawing on coursework from child psychologists, pediatricians, and legal experts. Uncertified candidates tend to rely on general statements. The difference is usually clear within the first few minutes.