Could you be a Norland nanny? It pays well...
It takes a lot of work to be an elite caregiver to the royal, rich and famous… FEATURE
Here’s a question, reader: how clued up are you on neuroscience? How about psychology, sociology, maths and philosophy? Can you sew and knead clay – at the same time and with one hand – while using your other one to grasp an assailant in a militarystyle headlock? And what about your culinary skills? We assume you can make a delicious threecourse dinner for your gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free charges?
No? Don’t fret. In a grand Georgian townhouse in the middle of Bath, Norland College’s trainers can mould you into a ninja nanny, with an education to rival Oxbridge and social etiquette that puts Debrett’s to shame. Their course even includes self-defence taught by military intelligence officers, and lessons in safe driving in “arduous” conditions (being followed by photographers, perhaps?). But it will take you three years and cost £45,000.
“We like to think we’re steeped in history, but focused on the future,” says Dr Janet Rose, principal of Norland College, which was founded in 1892 when childcare pioneer Emily Ward set out to transform “nursery nurses” into highly-skilled professionals. “Our students learn all the latest research covering every aspect of child development – physical, emotional, social and educational. We’re very cutting edge, but we also teach traditional skills like cooking, needlework and pottery. Then there’s homeopathy, baby massage… the list is endless. It’s a lifelong skills course.”
By royal appointment
It’s no surprise that Norland nannies have exacting standards to learn and uphold – after all, many go on to work for some of the most elite households in the world. For that reason, discretion is as vital as their ability to work an Aga. You may have seen them on a royal photocall, discernible by their brown, calf-length housedresses, hats, gloves and brogues. But you’ll never hear from them.
“Obviously, we never comment on clients,” Dr Rose tells heat – upholding that discretion that has long made Norland the go-to childcare service for royals, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. “What I can say is that, for over 120 years, we’ve still managed to retain our status as the best in the world and to protect the Norland brand. That’s why our graduates are so sought after.”
Old and new
But there are some who consider the Norland way to be, shall we say,
stuffy. “This is something we’re keen to address,” says Dr Rose. “Our founder was ahead of her time, adopting a child-centred practice and banning physical punishment in a Victorian era. Traditional elements are still there when they’re relevant, but we’ve updated as well – we don’t expect nannies to wear corsets, and we’re absolutely cutting edge in some of our teaching, such as focusing on child mental health.”
As for the much-debated uniform, third-year student Charity Schofield tells heat she’s
“proud” to dress the part. “I’ve worked so hard to be able to wear it,” she tells us. “Yes, it’s very traditional, but it symbolises the training we’ve done and the value of what we’ve learnt. People say to me, ‘Are you just learning to change nappies?’ It’s so much more than that: Norland nannies are qualified educators and the uniform proves it.”
‘Within a year, they’re earning £40k’
Earning their keep
Still, we can’t imagine Norland nannies losing much sleep over the preconceptions of strangers – not when they’ve got such lucrative futures ahead. The course comes in at a whopping £15k per year, but the payback is worth it. “We make a joke that our nannies are the only ones who can afford to buy a flat in London,” Dr Rose tells us. “Within a year, they’re earning £40k, and some of our graduates go on to earn up to £100k. Yes, we’re expensive, but the return on their investment is very high.”
As for the Mary Poppins comparisons: rest assured, they’ve heard them all. But with a three-year degree in the bag, a self-defence groin kick ready to go, and the culinary know-how to gut a fish, they’re out-nannying the maestro. Practically perfect in every way, in fact.
Sorry, Mary, but the position has been filled. When it comes to elite nannies, Norland knows best. ■