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.

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.

College Refurbishments

From the outside the college still looks much the same as it did when Set 36 left for the summer back in July.

However take a look inside...

The new college reception, complete with very funky light, welcomes visitors to the college.

 

The new common room, that students will use for their lunch and break times complete with student kitchen, provides a relaxing environment students can make their own.

 The Conference Room is now a versatile teaching space that also houses the Learning Resource Centre! 

The new college will be showcased to any students that are thinking about applying to Norland on Saturday 28 September. Simply drop in any time between 10.30am and 2.30pm to see the new building, find out about our new degree and talk to staff and students about what it is like to study at Norland.

More information can be found here on the website.

Summer refurbishments

This summer Norland College is undergoing a transformation. York Villa, the grade 2 listed college building, is having some extensive building work done ready for our new intake and new course starting in September. The transformation of the building will be in keeping with the Georgian architecture to reflect the traditions of Norland whilst reflecting the modern practices and esteemed standards of training offered at the college. 

Updated IT facilities will ensure our students have the IT infrastructure in place to support them in their studies. The College reception area is having a facelift to welcome students, staff and visitors to the college in true Norland style and the students’ independent study area and common room are also being re-fitted.

An extension is also being built to help accommodate our increased intake for September 2013. Set 37 will be the largest Set at Norland since moving to Bath and we look forward to welcoming them to our ‘new-look’ college!

More photos and updates of the grand reveal will be posted in September!

New Head of Students

Its a new term and we have a new Head and Deputy Head of Set

Each year group elects a two representatives within their year to represent the Set at staff meetings and on the social committee. In the first year this changes every term.

 Our new Head of Set 36 is Lauren Tinsley 

 and our new Deputy Head is Alice Curry

 Congratulations to you both! Do us proud.
 

Behind the scenes - BBC filming

On Friday 22 February we had a visit from Jon Kay, BBC correspondent, who was making a short piece about the 21st Century Nanny training we get at Norland College. 

Jon and his camera man Tim (the one with the camera!) came along to a self defence session we were having with our instructor Andy (in the black t-shirt).  
We get two self defence sessions during our training at Norland, one when we start which focuses on our personal safety whilst living away from home and one just before we finish which gets us to think about the safety of the children that we will be caring for as well as our personal safety. 

Over lunch time we mocked up a few shots for the camera. Here we were re-creating some of the classic shots of Norland Nannies pushing prams (we were trying to get every detail an exact replica). 

 

and this one compared to a historic picture of Norland students

 

Then Jon and Tim joined us at a skid pan training session we were doing. In this photo we had just arrived and were hearing about what we would be up to during the session, while Tim set up for our close ups!

 Tim took his life in his own hands trying to get a great shot while we were learning to control a car in icy and slippery conditions. It was great fun but we also learnt so much; invaluable skills when transporting such precious cargo in winter weather.

And here are some pics of the finished piece that went out live on  BBC Breakfast on Wednesday 27 February!

This one shows Claire Burgess one of our lecturers with her pink coat that she was told "is great for TV"! 

 

And a link to the finished piece (in case you missed it) 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21598420