Wednesday 4 December 2013

Behind the scenes of a thoroughly modern Poppins shoot!


You may have seen some of the press coverage about the new Norland uniform; well here is a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Poppins themed photoshoot in Bath.

Friday 30 November was an exciting day with an early start! At 8am 8 of Set 37 (first year students) and 3 of Set 36 (second years) met up at Thereme Bath Spa to start the day with a rooftop shoot by the pool, complete with umbrella! Charlotte from the Spa showed us up to the roof with the beautiful views of Bath Abbey where David from SWNS captured some of the stunning shots you may have seen. The pool looked so warm and tempting but we all managed to stay high and dry on the sides with the promise to return for a dip at a later date. 
Set 37 being briefed by Highlight PR and Charlotte from Theremae Bath Spa
New practical and formal uniform
Old and new uniform!
David capturing Millie Cope in a perfectly Poppins pose!
After the spa we headed down the street to where over half of the first year students turned up for a ride on the Bath vintage Carousel. Students caught the eye of quite a few tourists as they whizzed round - a vision in brown.
David, assisted by Alison, capturing the moment for the SWNS 'B roll'. 
 Then we headed off for a few more photos in the iconic streets of Bath (Great Pulteney Street), assisted by Amilia (in pink) and Victor (the crocodile).

L to R Victor, Amilia, Sarah and David
Old and new - Lauren, Lydia, Ellis and Sarah (and David's back)
 Finally after a whistle stop tour of Bath and some fantastic shots it was time to head to The Little Theatre for a private preview screening of the Saving Mr Banks film, courtesy of Disney. Before going in we just had time for some filming with ITV and a couple of photos.
Set 37 outside the Theatre - with umbrella of course
Some final shots before the film....
....and it begins!!! 
From the opening music we were all entranced and by the end we were all in tears!

"The film was fantastic... It took us back to childhood memories of Mary Poppins. Highly recommended just remember your tissues!" Poppy Godwin (Set 37)



Finally on our way out we were each given a copy of the book Mary Poppins Comes Back, courtesy of Disney. A great end to a fun day. 

Overall Friday 30th was a practically perfect day to launch our new uniform!

"I think the new uniform is both flattering and more stylish than the old. It upholds tradition, while also embracing the new, something that Norland believes in. What I love about the new uniform is that even though it's changed you still recognise us a Norland Nannies." Hana Medwell (Set 37)

Thursday 21 November 2013

Norland Nanny to Neonatal Nursery Nurse – and everything in between!



In short, Norland offered me a wealth of opportunity and opened a variety of doors resulting in many enjoyable working roles. 

My name is Claire Watson and I was in Set 102 at Norland College, graduating in 1989, which was undoubtedly the best time in my single adult life that I could have ever hoped for. 

After leaving Norland College I spent 5 years working as a nanny, a nanny share, live in, temporary nanny and in a nursery school before studying to become an educational tutor, helping other childcare workers fulfil their aspirations.

After having a family of my own I now find myself employed in a role that I secured, beating 230 other candidates based on, you guessed it, my Norland knowledge and training. The indepth training I had received 25 years earlier had not only gotten me through the paper sift but helped me secure my dream job. 

So what do I do? How do I spend my day?

I am a Neonatal Nursery Nurse – a rare but growing breed, like all nursery nurse posts in hospitals they go in and out of fashion but we are currently enjoying a come back! 

I work alongside the nurses and doctors on a busy neonatal ward at Lincoln County Hospital. I belong to a team of 10 nursery nurses whose skills and experience are quite simply astonishing and I am a newbie! I have been in this role for 5 years this November and many of my co-workers have more than 20 years each behind them. 

My day:

My day starts at 7am when I receive handover from the nightshift and I get a brief history of each baby on the unit. Our 20 bedded unit has babies from 27 weeks gestation and we have intensive care, high dependency and special care babies in our care. I am usually allocated a workload of up to 4 babies and their families and work predominantly in the special care rooms. 

Next I receive a handover at the bedside of each of my babies and hear in-depth how they are progressing. I may have to care for babies with respiratory distress, those on oxygen, babies with fluids and drips in situe. I care for babies who are born to diabetic mothers who need to have their blood sugars closely monitored and those who are jaundice under phototherapy. 

My daily duties include changing tiny nappies the size they make for dolls, feeding babies every 1, 2 or 3 hours, I take notes about the colour of their poop(!) and monitor their respirations, heart rate and temperature around the clock.

Each day is different and I am trained to care for each patient like it is the first baby we have seen with problems surrounding prematurity. Each baby responds to treatment differently and unlike adults or children they can't tell us what is wrong or even when they are in pain. Premature babies don't respond to pain in the same way a term baby will, they are very quiet, often the only signs you get are hand gestures or a grimace. 

I work alongside the nursing team to ensure each baby receives the correct medications, food and medical care each day. In addition I am responsible for making sure that mum and dad are welcomed on to the unit, that everything is explained to them and that we make them feel part of their baby's care. It is my job to calm them down and help them adjust to their baby's unplanned early arrival. Teaching parents initially how to give positive touch to their tiny baby, (prem babies do not like to be stroked) can be hugely daunting. You must quickly build trust and intimacy with each set of parents, not an easy task when they feel anxious, angry or confused.

Over time we teach parents and siblings parent craft skills to empower them to take back ownership of their child. Parents tell us that there is some consolation for the fear and anxiety they have to endure: help with breastfeeding, learning parent craft skills; teaching parents CPR (yes I am a trainer now!) are all things that parents really appreciate. Here my Norland training and experience as a nanny comes into its own.

My day is not structured like traditional nannying roles, there are set times for feeds, medicines, ward rounds and visiting times but I never know what my day will hold and what I may face. I have had grown men cry in my arms when their baby has taken a turn for the worse. I have seen tears of joy from mums who have spent weeks expressing breast milk followed by more weeks trying to encourage their tiny baby to feed at the breast, finally to have them latch on properly for the first time ever! I never have two days that are the same and I always feel that I have made a difference in someone's life - little wonder that my peers have stayed for so long!

My role includes being a nurturer, friend, confident, nurse, teacher, team member and advocate for both family and baby alike! I rarely work with the same people twice in a row so it's vital I get on with all my work colleagues to ensure the ward runs smoothly, I am trusted and respected by the people I work with like nothing I have ever experienced. You have to be a good team player to cope when the unexpected happens and we all change work loads at the drop of a hat because several babies can arrive on the ward at once needing critical care. 
  
My job is amazing, exciting, unique and something to be treasured. Never a dull moment, intense and surprising it is the most fulfilling role apart from motherhood that I have ever had. I am proud to be a Norland Nanny and a Neonatal Nursery Nurse.  

Thursday 31 October 2013

Emma - A day in the life of a village Norland Nanny

The best part of my job is knowing that I am helping to give the best start in life to this little person, not forgetting the smiles and kisses I get everyday!

About me 

I graduated Norland in May 2011 and can't believe how fast the time is passing! I have been working as a nanny for just over 3 years now and I'm so glad I decided to choose this as my career. 

I am currently working just outside of my home town, Henley On Thames, in a small village as a daily, sole charge nanny looking after a 17 month old little boy. My working hours are from 8am - 6pm, four days a week. I am very lucky to be working 4 days a week, I find it to be a great balance of my work and social life!

Our day

I arrive just before 8am to find the house buzzing and the sound of the little boys feet, pitter pattering around, playing with his toys. The mornings are spent having breakfast, (porridge and home grown raspberries, being the ultimate favorite) and preparing for the day ahead.

Freshly picked raspberries from the garden!
Once breakfast is over and cleared away, time to get dressed and head out. The mornings are usually spent at local play/toddler groups, forest school, at friends houses, the park, local museum or swimming. The favorite toy at the moment is tractors, so one of the many we have, usually tags along with us!! 
Usually we head home for lunch but if we happen to be out around then, as a small treat which we love to do, we eat at one of the cafes in town. 
It's then home/nap time and my time to sit down and write the morning activities in the nanny diary. I also do a bit of cooking/baking/making of apple crumbles and pies while he sleeps.


Home made apple pie - yum!!

After nap time, we usually spend the afternoons at home playing, doing arts and crafts, out in the garden, out for walks with friends, or playing on the green in the village. Its then tea time and I finish at 6pm. 

Toasting bread at Forest School

Painting an 'Autumn' picture
On a walk by the river with our friend's dog
In the evenings, I like to go to the gym at least once a week, but it doesn't always happen!! I also have hockey practice on a Thursday evening and like to go out for a meal with other nannies I know. Of course there are many evenings where I get home, shower and flop in front of the television.  

If you are thinking about becoming a nanny I would say that I think it's the best decision you will make. Yes, it's challenging and at times hard work, but at the same time it is so rewarding. I absolutely love working with children, always have done, and I would 100% recommend Norland if that's the career path you want to take.

Thursday 12 September 2013

A First from Norland - how does it feel?



Lucy Leaning, from Set 33 graduated from Norland in May 2013 achieving a First Class Honours for her degree.  

Lucy is now working as a Norland Nanny and we asked her to tell us all about it!
 

How does it feel now that you have completed your degree?


"There is a sense of satisfaction that the years of hard work have paid off! When starting at Norland and undertaking the degree course it all seems a bit daunting, with four years looming ahead of you; looking back I'm not sure how I managed juggling a 60 hour job plus academic work and having some kind of social life! However, now I can say that I have a first class BA Hons degree so it was most definitely worth it." 

Lucy receiving her Norland Diploma, May 2013

What do your friends and family think of your achievements?


"My family and friends are immensely proud of my achievements, especially after seeing the time and dedication it took to complete it. They are also delighted that it has opened many doors to future employment and it adds the academic element to the role as a Norland Nanny."

What are you up to now?


"I have been with a family, caring for three children, for two years now, however they are all going to school in September so it is time for me to look for new challenges in a different nannying role."

So, what next...?


"Norland offers so many opportunities that it is hard to decide which direction to take with regards to employment. For this year I am hoping to do some temporary nannying which would enable me to do some travelling in between jobs before settling into another full-time position or maybe work in holiday resorts abroad."

Norland Diploma badge

What is your best memory of your Norland training?


"Norland is a unique environment in which you form a close bond with the lecturers and peers. My best memories are of us all being in the formal uniform either cooking, sewing or doing practical skills trying to absorb all the information the lecturers are telling us whilst having a giggle with a friend about your cake that won't rise or the needle you can't thread."


What would you say to someone who was thinking about applying to study a degree at Norland?


"I would say that if you are looking to be the best in a childcare profession then Norland is the place to come. When you have completed the training there are so many opportunities. It is an institution that is known all over the world which means that you can find employment in any country you wish. Alongside the Norland training you can achieve the academic results to enable you to progress into professions such as teaching or nursery management if you wish."


Norland offers students the unique opportunity to study for a degree alongside the Norland Diploma.
Find out more about the training on our website.