Let’s continue our breakdown of the 2021 NOTY™ application process. This week you will be starting your Essay Questions, Section 5. 
Section 5: Essays. You will want to write out the essay questions outside of the digital portfolio form so that you can check grammar and spelling before you transfer them to the form. Each question will need to be answered in under 250 words. Questions you will answer are:
- Why did you choose a career with children?
- List 3 qualities about you that make you an excellent nanny and describe how each of them affects your role in the lives of children.
- Where do you see your career five years from now?
- If you could see change within the industry, what would it be and why?
- How do you stay current with professional childcare topics, such as development/milestones, safety, parenting strategies, children’s literature, products, special needs, etc?
- What is the extent of your involvement in the child care industry outside of your job? For example, do you work as a volunteer for an industry-related group or serve on an INA Committee?
- 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.
- What would you say to a nanny to encourage them to take the INA Nanny Credential Exam?
Again, these do have word limits but as you begin writing, do not worry about those limits. You can always edit them down to the correct size when you are done. This exercise is about getting your thoughts on the topics down. You will come back to it in a few weeks and edit it further.
Please note, that while you are filling out your portfolio, the INA will be reaching out to you with a list of potential NOTY™ Selection Panelists. We will be confirming you don’t have any close connections (professionally or personally) with anyone on this list. Rest assured, if you do, they will not be put on the panel. We would never disqualify a NOTY™ Nominee based on this.
Remember that this blog is meant to be a helpful suggestion on how to break down the process but it is not required that you use it. If you have any questions please contact INA Membership Services Office by phone at 888.878.1477 or by email at admin@nanny.org. Please include “NOTY Question” in the subject line of your email.