What does a Norland Nanny bring that others don’t?

[Milkingstool]

Or other very highly trained, highly experienced nannies? I’m interested in this as a childcare option on return to work now I have 2 DC. But friends nannies haven’t really impressed me so far TBH and seem to be a lot of hassle for the parents.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Norland Nannies. I suppose I’m interested in what the difference is? (Or anything similar, I only know of NN but sure there are other well regarded colleges)

What is it about their training that sets them apart? I suppose what I’d really like is a real life Mary Poppins 😁 but failing that if there is a reliable system like this where you are guaranteed a certain level of quality and proficiency that could be worth looking in to

I worked for a family with an aga. They just showed me how to use the aga in about 5 minutes....it's not that hard. I can't believe there is a course you can do!

Maybe I never knew all the amazing things an aga can do?!

They have a degree in early years learning/development so I'd expect them to be able to offer many of the same sort of learning experiences for children as a good nursery could, only 1-1 (or however many kids in the family) and in the security and familiarity of the child's own home, as well as accompanying the child to age-appropriate activities out of the house.

Tbh, I would have expected any good nanny to be able to offer this but I posted on a thread a few months ago where most people considered it fine for a nanny to frequently be taking the child shopping or to do 'personal errands' because it is 'boring' for the poor nanny to stay at home and engage in imaginative or creative play or learning activities. When I suggested that most nannies should be able to do this, I was told that this was more the sort of thing a 'governess' would do .

@NuffSaidSam

I worked for a family with an aga. They just showed me how to use the aga in about 5 minutes....it's not that hard. I can't believe there is a course you can do!

Maybe I never knew all the amazing things an aga can do?!

I know, what there to know after "this one's hot, that one's hotter, that one's less hot..." etc?

@batmanladybird

I don't think they bring anything extra except cachet for the parents that they have a nanny in an outdated Edwardian uniform

This

I think the biggest difference between a Norland Nanny and any other nanny is that they are from a certain background and will have attended an independent school (to be able to afford the fees to train as a nanny) Which is obviously a good thing of you don't want your child to drop their aitches.

The Norland Nannies I have met haven't been any better at the actual nannying part of the job, but won't leave their room in a mess, like some of the fun and enthusiastic, but untrained nannies from the other side of the other side of the world.

It's years since I was a nanny, but I was once interviewed fir a magazine article about Super-Nannies (when supermodels were a thing) - Apparently I was considered a "super nanny" along with a few of my nanny friends - None of us were Norland trained (one was Chiltern).

I personally believe you can't teach someone how to be a brilliant nanny, you can teach about feeling and routines and child development, but the actual thing that makes a wonderful nanny is learned from their own parenting as a small child.

I have one friend who failed her NNEB training, but has an amazing nanny to a couple of high profile families, by working her way up from au-pair to mothers help, to nanny. Her own parents are fantastic, kind, sensible people and I think she learned from the best.

In my years attending many, many play groups I saw a fair few mediocre nannies. Ones who sat on their phones while the kids played at their feet. Ones who were more interested in chatting to their nanny mates than interacting with the kids. Not terrible, many mums did the same. It’s hard to be ‘on it’ all the time. But I did see some nannies who were brilliant. Who clearly adored the kids, and gave them 100% of their attention. The Norland nannies I saw all fell into the second group.

NNs are like the parent you imagined you would be. We had one for a while but I just felt like a messy slob of a parent who couldn’t get their shit together by comparison.

@Bimblybomeyelash

In my years attending many, many play groups I saw a fair few mediocre nannies. Ones who sat on their phones while the kids played at their feet. Ones who were more interested in chatting to their nanny mates than interacting with the kids. Not terrible, many mums did the same. It’s hard to be ‘on it’ all the time. But I did see some nannies who were brilliant. Who clearly adored the kids, and gave them 100% of their attention. The Norland nannies I saw all fell into the second group.

Did you really know the educational background of every nanny you saw at every playgroup? That's amazing!

I'm a nanny and no-one has ever asked me my educational background at a playgroup. Maybe because I'm so good they just assume I'm Norland? Or I'm talking to another nanny so they assume I can't possibly be Norland? Or maybe it depends when they look....because they can't be watching me the whole time can they? That would be odd and presumably occasionally they watch/interact with their own child? Interesting!

@NuffSaidSam

Norlands wear a uniform so are fairly easy to spot

Some families prefer them to not wear a uniform when out and about but others like it (you can probably take a guess as to what those sorts of families must be like..!) so it makes the nannies easy to spot…

They have to share a bedroom with a baby for part of the training.

They learn self defence and how to drive a getaway car so you don't need to employ a body guard as well.

You are basically paying £80 000 for a Mary Poppins who won't run to the tabloids if she finds you in bed with a member of staff.

If you are someone who didn't really want children but had to produce an heir they take over being mother from day one and you only need to see the child(ren) when you want, possibly to show to influential people where your child will appear immaculately dressed with impeccable manners knowing the correct address for a president a monarch or a Sultan.

If you want a good nanny then go for a person in their forties or fifties who has had children. They're not phone-addicted like the younger ones and they're less likely to take crap from kids or out up with any shenanigans.

@Avarua that is just ageist bullshit.

I’ve only just had my own child, but I’ve been a nanny for ten years and an English language teacher abroad at kindergarten before that.

I’m not Norland trained because that’s really not my background and I wouldn’t wear the uniform. But guess what? No one cares, because I have brilliant references and a lot of experience. I’m not in my fifties but I can assure you I don’t ‘put up with any nonsense’.

There are a lot of young inexperienced childcarers out there, frankly if I was being paid £120 ‘pocket money’ to work the hours done au pairs get made to do the family can pretend they have a nanny, I’d be on my phone a lot too.

It does annoy me when parents say they want Mary Poppins though. It’s so outdated! She was a fictional character and she could use magic 😂

On the ‘personal errands’ front a PP mentioned, I work 8-6. If I need to post a return it go to the bank I can hardly nip out on my lunch can I? So yes if necessary I do take the youngest with me to do errands, I do lots of craft and baking and all the other shiz at home too but we get out and about a lot and some of that might involve errands- that’s life!

[quote SW1amp]@NuffSaidSam

Norlands wear a uniform so are fairly easy to spot

Some families prefer them to not wear a uniform when out and about but others like it (you can probably take a guess as to what those sorts of families must be like..!) so it makes the nannies easy to spot…[/quote]
The majority of them don't wear their uniform day to day, which means it's impossible just by looking at someone to know what training they've had. To know the educational background of every nanny at all the playgroups the pp would have to ask. Or be in possession of psychic powers I suppose!

One of the nicest girls I ever taught trained at the Norland school. She had only ever wanted to look after little children so it was a dream come true for her, the equivalent of an Oxbridge place. She was from a relatively deprived background. Any family who employed her would have been very lucky.
After the interview she was so happy because as she left, the Principal smiled and gave her a big wink.

It does make sense that the ones working for families who make them wear the uniform are too scared to have a conversation at playgroup though!

I had a NN on placement for my dd triplets and they were excellent and unflappable. Dds then went to an experienced childminder. We preferred the childminder as she was far better at managing the tears and the tantrums

@BigGreen

Pram self defence 😂 that is hilarious

Why? Lots of the families they work for are high profile. Whilst its unlikely someone with bad intentions would be arsed with your child, the child of someone rich or famous that can be blackmailed is different.

OP it depends, if you can afford a Norland nanny then yes they do have impressive training and knowledge. But similarly an experienced nanny has loads to offer too- I think it's more down to the individual.

I think the biggest difference between a Norland Nanny and any other nanny is that they are from a certain background and will have attended an independent school (to be able to afford the fees to train as a nanny) Which is obviously a good thing of you don't want your child to drop their aitches

They can get student loans.

They do get student loans, but it’s a private uni, so the course fees are much more than the loan amount, that students need to pay themselves at the time if studying.

@Cattipuss

I think the biggest difference between a Norland Nanny and any other nanny is that they are from a certain background and will have attended an independent school (to be able to afford the fees to train as a nanny) Which is obviously a good thing of you don't want your child to drop their aitches

They can get student loans.

Not true. The daughter of one of my best friends is a recent Norland graduate. Bog standard comp, no history of university in the family, family lives in bungalow on housing estate. She is a lovely young woman however - bright, sporty, and genuinely loves children. Frankly anyone can become a nanny, but being a norland nanny means you've had the equivalent of a degree in childcare, plus a probationary year where they keep an eye on you. My you g friend doesn't have to wear the uniform at work either... so the parents aren't looking for that obvious prestige. But they do want a qualified and motivated individual

Forty years ago a friend had a Norland nanny - she remarked that nanny was more well-heeled than they were!

What’s wrong with nursery?

The old Queen Charlotte's maternity hospital 1978 where I had DS1 in a six-bedded NHS unit - 2 of the 6 mothers had Norland nannies.

Wouldn't happen now I expect!

@Fet2021duejuly2022

What’s wrong with nursery?

They require drop off and picking up, the nursery teachers can’t sign for a parcel, nursery won’t look after ill children, or suspected ill children, nurseries can’t do bath time and bed time if you’re running late

There are plenty of reasons people prefer a nanny to using a nursery

@Fet2021duejuly2022

What’s wrong with nursery?

Absolutely nothing if that works best for your family.

For some people a nanny works better. Others prefer a childminder or an au pair. Some use grandparents. Others choose to have a stay at home parent.