Should we be behaviour leaders rather than managers?

Claire Burgess, Early Years Consultancy Manager
@belles28

I am frequently asked by parents and practitioners how can they ‘solve’ children’s behaviour. My answer to this is there is no ‘quick fix’ or solution as it is an essential learning process which needs support and guidance from adults. 

Experiences of a first year student: Applying to Norland College

Author: Abi Kohen, Set 40

I always knew that I wanted to work with children but I wasn’t completely sure which area I would choose, as I’d done a variety of work experience and enjoyed all of it. 

A postcard from China

Hannah visited the
Great Wall of China

Author: Hannah Wills, Set 39

This summer I had a fantastic time in China as part of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain (NYCGB).

Norland College receives first ever National Student Survey results

We’re pleased to announce the results of Norland College’s first ever National Student Survey (NSS). 

The NSS, which has been running since 2005, is a UK-wide survey of students in the final year of an undergraduate course, though this is the first time Norland College has participated. The survey gives students the opportunity to provide public feedback about the institution and their course. 95% of our final year students took part in the survey.

Professionalism in the Early Years - What Does it Mean to Practitioners?

Author: Amalia Austin, Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN), Set 37

Amalia is now a
Newly Qualified Nanny

I was thrilled in February 2013 to be offered a place at Norland and start to fulfil my goal of becoming an outstanding Early Years practitioner (EYP) and Norland Nanny. However, teachers and family members asked me, ‘if you want to work with children, why don’t you do something worthwhile and train as a primary teacher?’ It was this which inspired me in my final year to explore why working in the Early Years seemingly achieves lower regard than other vocational roles, such as teaching and nursing. Here I explore how I undertook my research and some of the key findings and subsequent recommendations I put forward to improve professionalism in the Early Years sector, with specific focus on the role of a Nanny.

Norland appalled by Andrea Leadsom male nanny comments

"Norland is absolutely appalled by the comments made by Andrea Leadsom about employing male Nannies.

Norland supports and encourages initiatives to increase the numbers of men in the childcare sector and welcomes male applicants.  We recognise the benefits to children of having both male and female role models. Men can bring a wealth of different experiences and attributes to the role and with the changing family dynamics we see in society today, male nannies can provide a consistent male role model within the family home. As a society, we strive for equality; someone in public office making such a statement erodes the efforts of many to achieve this. A career working with children is rewarding and challenging and men should not be discouraged from making such a choice; families should choose a Nanny who is the best fit for their family, regardless of gender.

Norland supports raising standards in home childcare by supporting campaigns such as Regulation Matters, which calls for all Nannies to be qualified and DBS checked. This sort of action, together with the kind of high quality training and support that Norland provides, is how we safeguard children within the home, not through prejudiced, discriminatory and outdated statements such as these."

From Heritage day to New York

Alice and her charges!

Alice Yates
Norland Nanny
Set 33

I recently had the privilege of flying home from my job in New York to see my sister, Becca (Set 37), display her work at Heritage Day (which used to be called Display Day) it is incredible the sense of pride that I felt towards Becca and all of set 37 - I know exactly what they've been through. My Display Day was in May of 2011, I seem to remember a lot of hard work and stress leading up to the morning and perhaps didn't appreciate the final product. When you see the light at the end of the tunnel with your creative, practical and academic work from the years you spent at college, you almost forget how hard it actually was. The feeling of finishing college and the eagerness of starting a new and exciting first role within a family is euphoric. That is why I am so glad to have been a part of this year’s Heritage Day and I tip my hat to Clare Dent (Norland graduate and now Norland lecturer) who drummed in the importance of reflection. It may have taken 5 years for me to reflect on my display but it has finally happened; what an achievement to complete training at Norland College. I am so proud of both my sister and myself. I also feel a sense of happiness and relief for my parents too who have been there for every step; the tears that were shed, my frustration over creative skills and the painstaking moment of 'can you proof read my essay?'.