Norland announces university status.

There are moments when something happens within our profession that feels bigger than the announcement itself.

Norland’s transition to Norland University of Early Childhood is one of those moments in the field of annoying.

We would like to congratulate everyone at Norland on this significant achievement. For an institution with such a long history of nanny education and professional training, becoming a university represents an important milestone. https://www.norland.ac.uk/norland-granted-university-status-to-become-the-worlds-first-university-dedicated-to-early-childhood/

But we also believe this moment is worth looking at through a much wider lens.

Because this isn’t just significant for Norland-trained nannies. It is significant for the industry as a profession.

Why does university status matter?

People view the role of a nanny as just providing childcare in a family’s home.

Those of us who work within the profession know that it is so much more.

A professional nanny draws on knowledge of child development, early education, safeguarding, nutrition, health and well-being, and communication. annoying guides their close work with parents and supports a child’s early years.

It is skilled professional work.

For many years, however, nannying has not always received the same recognition as other areas of early childhood education and care.

The recognition of nanny education at university level helps to challenge that perception.

It demonstrates that education and professional preparation for working with young children in the home is worthy of higher education, academic study and continued development.

That is important.

This isn’t about one qualification or one route into becoming a Nanny.

It is also important to be clear about what this milestone does not mean.

Not every nanny will train at Norland.

Not every nanny will want to study at university.

And there are many different routes into a rewarding career as a nanny, with nannies bringing a wide range of qualifications, experience and specialist knowledge to the profession.

The National Nanny Association represents nannies from across this diverse profession.

So, for us, this isn’t about suggesting that one particular qualification or institution defines what it means to be a professional nanny.

Instead, we see Norland’s achievement as part of a much bigger conversation.

What should the future of the nanny profession look like?

Looking towards the next chapter

If becoming a Nanny is increasingly recognised as a profession, then we need to think about what professional development can look like throughout a nanny’s career.

A nanny may begin their career with an early years qualification and years later want to develop a specialism in areas such as newborn care, additional needs, nutrition, child development or education.

They may want to progress into leadership, mentoring, consultancy or another area of early childhood.

They may want to undertake further academic study.

There should be opportunities for professional development and progression, whatever route a nanny has taken into the profession.

And we believe there is another important piece of the puzzle:

research.

There is still so much we need to understand about the role of the Nanny and home-based childcare.

What impact does a professional nanny have on children’s development?

What does excellent home-based early education look like?

What support do nannies need to remain in the profession?

What are the challenges facing families who employ nannies?

And how does a nanny fit within the wider early years sector.

These are questions that deserve evidence, research and academic attention.

Building a profession on knowledge and evidence

This is one of the reasons the National Nanny Association is developing its NNA Research Program.https://thenationalnannyassociation.co.uk/nna-research-programme/

We want to encourage greater research into the role of a nanny and ensure that the experiences and expertise of nannies are represented in conversations about early childhood.

Norland’s move into university status is another indication that the landscape is changing.

Perhaps the future isn’t simply about being better recognised as a form of childcare.

Perhaps it is about being recognised as a professional discipline within early childhood.

That distinction matters.

Because professional recognition brings with it the opportunity for better education, stronger career pathways, evidence-based practice and a deeper understanding of the work nannies do.

A milestone we can all recognise

We may all have different training backgrounds, different experiences and different reasons for choosing to be a Nanny as a career.

But we share something important.

We work with children during the years when their brains, relationships, confidence and understanding of the world are developing at an extraordinary rate.

That responsibility deserves to be recognised.

So, while Norland’s new university status belongs to Norland, I believe it is also a wonderful opportunity for the wider nanny profession to celebrate how far we have come — and to look with optimism at where we might go next.

Having started my own career as a Norland-trained nanny, it feels particularly special to see nanny education reach this point.

And perhaps the most exciting part is that this isn’t the end of the story. It is another step in an evolving profession, one steeped in history, and one that I hope will encourage more people to recognise just how skilled, rewarding and important a career in nannying can be.

Here’s to the next chapter.