Oi, nanny employers. I'm doing a survey on the value of a Norland Nanny. Come and vote, please.

[AtheneNoctua]

So, here's thing. There are a couple of threads talking about a Norland Nanny. And I have been unable to understand what it is a Norland Nanny can do that other nannies can't. Sooooo...

1- Would you pay more money for a Norland Nanny than any other variety?

2- If so, why?

3- Would you hire a Norland nanny if he/she was the same price as an otherwise equal nanny (otherwise meaning she is not a "Norlander")?

1- Not sure. I might if they impressed me.

2- It's not to do with them being a 'Norland nanny' - it's more about how qualified/experienced/and or educated I feel they are for MY particular position.

3- Not necessarily. The name 'Norland' doesn't do anything for me really although I've had some friends who are very keen on them, probably just because they've heard they are nannies to the creme de la creme

Doubt you'll get much of a range of answers!

Anyway - I think there was a time when Norland training gave a nanny knowledge, experience and opportunities beyond those other training options could offer (except perhaps Princess Christian, being the same sort of thing); as an example, the Norland college has an overnight facility where children can stay so that trainee nannies can get the sort of 'proxy parenting' experience that's otherwise near-impossible to have as a newly trained nanny.

But nannying is increasingly professional I think - encouraged by the Childcare Approval system, but going that way anyway. (I think this is a great thing.) So I doubt that nowadays Norlanders have automatic prestige, apart, perhaps, from with a small (and getting smaller) group of people who will always choose on Brand rather than actual Product.

Thus ...

1. no
2. n/a
3. of course, if she was right for us and we were right for her. I certainly wouldn't discriminate.

PS I meant to say

... which all begs the question as to why a nanny would, nowadays, choose to train at Norland. And I think the answer to that is probably: for the connections - links to agencies which will definitely take you on, access (should you want it) to those occasional big-ticket positions with celebrity/overseas royalty, being part of a group of mates all setting off into the nannying world with the same sort of outlook.

Be interesting to hear from any actual Norlanders as to why they chose the training.

1. No
2. No

It's a job. Norland's just a brand.

They've got rid of the Children's Hotel now, which was the only distinguishing feature.
I would pay the Norland Agency a higher fee though, because they're thorough.

Agency Perish the thought!

Norland doesn't actually have an overnight facility any more.

I didn't train there - I chose not to Why choose to train at Norland? I looked at it as an option and seriously it is for the connections, the focus on nannying, the brand, the "club" aspect of it (the other nannies in your set etc), the history, the name and the reputation for comprehensive training.

Connections won't help you get an ideal job, if you're good enough you'll get taken on by an agency.
If you want to be a nanny you'll get the experience and focus on it anyway - Norlanders do the same basic qualification as everyone else, they just relate practically everything back to working in a family setting.
If you're good enough you shouldn't need a brand to get you jobs and anyone who wants you for the brand probably isn't into you as a person
The club is nice, but I'd like to think the same camaderie exists on any course.
The history, name and reputation are all slightly mythical and not all that tangible really so I can think of better things to spend the money on than the three factors which can't be replaced and I know I beat a Norlander to a position so they clearly don't equip you with job-getting superpowers which would be the only thing worth having in my book!

So if I were employing a nanny:

1. no
2. not for the brand - I'd even go as far as to say they're overly trained and it's just not my style. I'd rather have someone who had a more eclectic view of childcare and was prepared to do things my way (and I'm sure that there are Norlanders who would and other nannies who wouldn't but I think with that much training and info you lose a certain amount of flexibility)

When Norland shut down in it's previous location and re-located in Bath the deputy head (Norland trained) set up her own nursery and employed a lot of the old staff too. Both ds's have gone there ds 2 still is there, and I love the confident way the owner has, she thinks about what parents want and need and do extras such as taking the children out to feed the ducks -even the baby room (a row of babies all eating bread as they didn't get that they had to throw it to the ducks is fab!) many of the staff are still with her and she has been open nearly 5 years now so that says volumes about her as a person but also a professional. I don't know about 'brand Norland' but I do know the experience I have of a Norland nanny is second to none.

I would add a few of my school contemporaries went there, and also to Princess Christian. They seemed to make pretty good nannies but weren't oustandingly different to many other good NNEB graduates I knew at the time, IMO.

I have worked with a couple of Norlands as well, and again, they're reliable but I am not sure worth double what other nannies/nursery nurses are.

No, because I am not a Russian oligarch or an american. Those are the only people who need a "branded" nanny. The rest of us make do with a 30 year old kiwi, who teaches the kids to surf in the holidays. Now that is more useful than polishing a Silver Cross or ironing muslins.

You WILL have to pay a Norland Nanny more. Its what they expect. However, they are just taught a NVQ level 3 so you might aswell have a qualified nanny without the brown unioform.

Well, if no one wants to pay more to get a Norland girl, then perhaps Norland girls will start working for less.

And, what with the Americans need a branded nanny comment???

You didn't answer my questions my island friend.

And where the heck have you been. Someone asked me yesterday if you had buggered off to become a moldie...

That's what I told them. Said you were probably busy at work.... although I don't think the city is really all that busy these days so I think I left her puzzled.

I have sent you a cat. My ears must have been burning while you were typing.

Personally I would choose a nanny based on a whole load of other factors not where they were trained.

But just wanted to say that dd has a couple of friends with Norland nannies. They don't wear uniform and are really lovely girls. Interestingly they're both live-in and have told me that nearly all the others they trained with are too.