NORLAND- anyone done it? Got a teen thinking about it?

This is really interesting isn't it - essentially all have switched into career paths that are less well paid and they could have got to without the expensive training - presumably as the compromise needed to settle down and marry

Of the Norlanders I knew (and I would put them mid 30s-late 40's now) who had more down to earth careers:

1. Late 40's married. Worked part time in a gym creche and then did school pick ups for a friend's children including homework supervision and light supper as parents work late (up to age 11). Her husband was well paid, so low wages weren't really an issue.

2. Early 30's married. Nannied initially then nursery then primary school teacher training after degree (I think that must have been part time around nursery work). Teaches primary school kids (state)

3. Late 30's married. Now lectures at Norland

4. Early 40's married. Nursery assistant Pre prep, then PGCE then primary school teacher prep.

I'm pretty certain they all grew up locally (but they must have found time to socialise/meet their husbands).

Yes I was friends with a live in nanny (well I say friends - chatted to her once a week at baby group) as she only really chatted to people like me- she had no chance of her own social life.

I was friends with a Norland nanny when I lived abroad for a while (small expat community- we stuck together).

I agree it is a great option if you love children and the challenge.

The issue my friend has was that she was 35 years old- and realistically to keep earning the prized norland wages you have to live in/do antisocial hours/be at a rich families beck and call. So if you want your own family you have to switch back into less well paid branches of childcare.

Plus if you are doing those beck and call/high paid overseas jobs it is VeRY hard to meet a man.

So good pay- but essentially you have to be single and without children of your own.

I know someone who in a Norland Nanny and she lives in LA. She's very successful and can pick and choose jobs. She is a baby nanny and only looks after a baby until the baby is a year old.

We had a lovely norland nanny while she was still studying. She went to grammar school (who were pretty sniffy about her chosen path), but nannying is a complete vocation for her.
She hasn’t gone for the “sell your soul” type mega-jobs, but she does command a very good wage, because she is absolutely excellent at what she does.

If your DD is totally committed to a career in childcare, I don’t think she could go anywhere better.

I know a young lady just gone into her 3rd year, she's already got job offers from placements but wants to finish then consider. It's a lot of hard work. I see them in bath a lot in their "interesting" uniform (why brown, so ugly, sorry)

Omg I had no idea they were paid so well!

So many girls go onto do childcare and earn really low salary.

This is like one xtrrmem to the other. Definitely worth it then compared to nursery workers wages!

Not exactly, but I live in central Bath.

I sent DD(16) to their nursery in 2009, which was largely staffed by qualified or trainee Norlanders. They sold it a few years later, but it was wonderful. This was before they started doing their own degrees. A fair few families I know used to supervise trainee nannies. I suspect a few trainees were gently weeded out, because I remember a few duds who seemed to be a bit clueless about cooking/anticipating risky situations. Trainees were never left in sole charge.

Nowadays, most graduates become nannies, others move into education at infant or primary level (state or private). Others go into lecturing.

There is now a secondary tranche of trainees who aim to be nursery staff (so the college has shifted up to near Hayesfield girls school).

I'm not out and about enough to know whether they still partner their trainees with the placid to drug addicted artificial baby overnight.

If money isn't a problem then I would let her go for it. Once qualified she is sure of a job with a high salary.
I watched a documentary on Norland nannies, and they appear to be nice, friendly girls ( and the occasional boy too).
The training they get is second to none, including cooking, sewing, driving lessons, self defence and looking after a baby during the night.

Yes it is expensive but she is guaranteed a job when she graduates. Norland Nannies in London on average earn 44k with 1 years experience and after 10 can go up to 74-100k. Elsewhere in the UK it’s 30-60k. While overseas you can easily exceed 100k+ So above other professions and certainly above other childcare professions. She will certainly get back her / your money and quite quickly too!

But this is not an easy job.

One of the students I used to tutor is now a Norland Nanny at a well known middle eastern hotel (she provides childcare and leads a team of more junior Norland nannies). While yes she loves her job, she does describe it as high pressure. A full time position is 50/60 hours a week and you have to be at your best everyday. She compares it to investment banking which I guess is fair. She earns 200k and is 30. So it’s a comparable profession.

Maybe call Norland and get more information.

This thread may be of use to you.

Daughter wants to be a Norland Nanny www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4663765-daughter-wants-to-be-a-norland-nanny