A guest post from APNA, the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies
Running a nanny agency is not a static endeavor. Regulations shift. Family expectations evolve. The competitive landscape changes faster than many business owners anticipate. And the agencies that consistently rise to meet those changes share one thing in common: they stay consistently engaged in learning.
At APNA, we believe that a commitment to education is one of the clearest markers of a truly professional agency. It signals to families that you approach your work with professionalism and intention. It signals to your staff that you value their growth. And it positions your business to lead rather than follow in an industry that rewards expertise.
This year, we want to make the case for something that does not always make it to the top of a busy agency owner’s priority list: investing in continuing education not just for yourself, but for your entire team.
The Business Case for Ongoing Learning
There is a common misconception that professional development is a luxury, something you invest in when business is good and cut when things get tight. In reality, the opposite is true. Agencies that prioritize education tend to be the ones that weather industry shifts, retain strong staff, and build lasting client trust.
Here is how a culture of learning shows up in a nanny agency:
Regulatory confidence. Employment law, payroll compliance, and household staffing regulations are not areas where guesswork serves you well. Staying current through seminars, webinars, and trusted industry partners protects your agency legally and builds credibility with clients.
Stronger placement outcomes. Staff who understand best practices in candidate screening, client communication, and family dynamics make better matches. Better matches lead to longer placements. Longer placements build your reputation.
A team that stays. Employees who feel invested in are far more likely to stay and grow with your agency. Offering your staff access to training and industry events communicates that their growth matters to your agency’s future.
A seat at the industry table. The agencies shaping standards, influencing policy, and building the nanny industry’s professional reputation are the ones showing up, at conferences, in conversations, and in the ongoing work of learning what is next.
Bringing Your Team Along: Why It Matters More Than You Think
Most agency owners invest in their own development, but fewer consistently extend those same opportunities to their team.
Your team is often the first point of contact for families and candidates. They handle intake calls, coordinate interviews, manage placements, and navigate the day-to-day complexities that determine whether a client recommends you or moves on. Investing in their education is not a nice-to-have. It is a business strategy.
When staff attend industry events and training alongside owners, something shifts. They return with a broader context for the work they do every day. They bring back ideas. They feel ownership. And that engagement shows up in every interaction they have on your agency’s behalf.
Where to Focus Your Professional Development This Year
The nanny placement industry has a strong ecosystem of educational opportunities. Here are the ones worth prioritizing:
APNA Annual Conference | October 14 to 16, 2026 | Charlotte, NC
This year’s APNA Annual Conference takes place at the Grand Bohemian Charlotte and is built around one central idea: Leadership in Full Color. Three days designed to challenge how you think about your business, deepen your industry knowledge, and connect you with the people who are shaping what this industry becomes.
This year’s sessions include topics such as AI, multi-location strategy, ethics, SEO and SEM, sales, virtual support teams, and leadership development.
Registration opens May 20 for members and June 8 for non-members. If you are bringing your team – and we strongly encourage you to – plan early, as room availability at the conference rate of $299 per night fills quickly.
Learn more about the APNA Conference here.
INA Annual Conference
The International Nanny Association’s annual conference remains one of the most valuable gatherings in the industry for both agency professionals and nannies. Workshops cover best practices, business strategy, and the evolving needs of families seeking in-home care. If you have not attended or encouraged your nannies and staff to attend, it is worth adding to your calendar.
Online and On-Demand Learning
Not every educational opportunity requires travel. A few resources worth bookmarking:
- HR and business management: Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer on-demand courses in leadership, compliance, and operational strategy. The Enginehire How to Build an Agency podcast and Good Morning, HR are both strong options for learning in shorter windows.
- Payroll and tax compliance: HomeWork Solutions, GTM Payroll Services, HomePay, and Poppins Payroll regularly offer webinars and resources specific to household employment. This is an area where staying current is not optional.
- Background screening and hiring practices: The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) offers training programs that can sharpen your hiring process and keep your agency aligned with industry standards.
A Final Word
The agencies that will define this industry five years from now are the ones investing in their knowledge today. Attending conferences, completing courses, and sending your staff to learn alongside you are not line items to cut. They are the infrastructure of a business that lasts.
We hope to see you and your team in Charlotte this October. Come ready to learn, ready to connect, and ready to lead.
APNA is the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies. To learn more about membership, resources, and the APNA Annual Conference, visit theapna.org.