A Day In The Life ...

This shows a typical day in a lecture week. This example is based on the timetable for a first year BA (Hons) student.

Fran.R completed her training at Norland College in July 2010. She was studying for the BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies.

Fran.R on accommodation: I live in a terraced town house on the outskirts of the city centre of Bath. I live with four other Norland students. The house is on a good bus route to college and the centre of Bath. It is about a 20 minute walk to the city centre. The house has five bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge diner, a large bathroom and garden. The house is fully furnished. There is another house just down the road which also has Norland students in. This was very useful when we first started and didn't know anybody or our way around Bath.

Fran.R on Bath: Bath is a lovely city to live and study in. As a city, Bath is well suited to students because there are many shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas and other activities to do.

Fran.R on placements: At Norland College we have one week at college and then the next week at a placement. The placements are situated in and around Bath. Over the two years at Norland College we are placed in 6 placements covering the ages from newborn to 7 years, these are in nurseries, schools and independent schools. Norland students can also have placements at special needs schools which can be challenging but beneficial. We also have the chance to spend one day a week at 'tumble-tots' which is an organisation based on exercise and a healthy diet for children. Each placement lasts one term. I personally have found the one week in one week out system to be very useful and effective as what we learn at college one week we can apply to placement the next week and vice versa.

Fran.R on lectures: On most college days the day is from 9.00am until 4.15pm. We have one full day and two half days which are devoted to practical lessons. These include Home Economics, Practical Skills, Creative Options and Independent Study.

When we are not in practical lessons we are in academic lectures. During our academic lectures we learn all about the development of children relating to a number of different theorists. We learn about the policies and procedures which are currently in use in our placement settings. The creative child is another topic which we cover, along with how to be a reflective practitioner.

Home Economics teaches us the basics of cooking healthy food for children. For these lessons we use the kitchens at St Marks School in Bath which is a 10-15 minute walk from college.

Practical Skills teaches us what we need to know about the practical side of looking after and caring for children, some examples include: hand washing, bathing a baby, nappy changing, making up a cot and pram, sterilising bottles and making up feeds.

Creative Options teaches us basic sewing and other skills. Some examples of things we make over the two years at Norland College are: a baby's reversible apron, a treasure basket, a skirt for a child, a top for a child, a puppet, a dressing up box and a play mat.

Independent study is a time when we can catch up on our work and do extra reading and research to back up our knowledge.

I am really enjoying my experience at NorlandCollege. My all round experience of working with and learning about children is continually growing and being improved upon.

Fran.T completed her training at Norland College in July 2010. She was studying for the BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies.

Francesca.T. on accommodation: I live about a half an hour bus journey away from the college with four other Norland girls. We live in a house adjoining to five other Norland first years. The house is beautiful and it has been wonderful getting to know the girls I live with and next door. The house has 5 bedrooms, a spacious lounge, kitchen and 3 bathrooms. My room came furnished with a bed, desk, wardrobe and chest of drawers which quite comfortably houses all my belongings.

Francesca.T. on Bath: Bath is a beautiful place to live. It is a city full of character and culture. It is a very grand city and there are constantly festivals and different things going on. The social committee in the college is able to obtain student cards for us all which allow us to go onto campus at Bath University. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to visit and most places offer student discounts!

Francesca.T. on placements: Throughout the course of the 2 years we spend every other week in placement. We have six different placements altogether during the two years. These placements are varied and we all get the opportunity to experience age ranges up to eight years of age. There is the opportunity of working with Special Needs children within two placements that the college offers, these are optional placements. We also have the opportunity of attending ‘Tumble Tots’ for a day. This is a programme that has been developed for children in order to enhance their knowledge of exercise and the importance of having a healthy diet. Often the time you spend in placement doesn’t seem long enough, but the relationships that you form with the teachers and the children are truly invaluable, and contribute a lot to your own personal growth and development.

Francesca.T. on lectures: On the weeks we attend college, Mondays are devoted to a day of lectures. These lectures teach us the knowledge and understanding of promoting and extending children’s learning, as well as the lecturers teaching us the vital information and comprehension we need in order to become knowledgeable practitioners in all areas of children's development. The set is divided into four groups and on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon we attend Home Economics, Creative Options and Practical Skills, with the fourth group having Independent study. These sessions are all 3 hours long, with a 15 minute break. On a Wednesday afternoon, we are allowed to return home in order to carry out private study, this only changes if we have a guest speaker attending the college. The lecturers within the college are extremely helpful and they will support you in any way possible. As there are so few of us in the set we have become more of a family and are all constantly looking out for each other and trying to help one another.

Our Creative Options lessons are designed to teach us the skills needed for sewing and making sensory toys for babies and young children. It also includes learning how to make items of clothing for children such as a top, skirt and apron. So far, I have made an apron, skirt, treasure basket, play mat and have begun to make a puppet.

In Practical Skills, we learn how to change a nappy, bath a baby, prepare a bottle feed and are taught best practice in all areas of looking after babies and young children. These lessons focus on importance of children’s health and well-being and what is best for each individual child.

Home Economics takes place off site in St Marks C of E School, which is a 10 -15 minute walk away from college. We are all supplied with a Norland Cookbook, and are taught to cook simple healthy meals for children, in order for them to have a balanced diet.

To sum up my first year I feel privileged and honoured to be attending Norland College. It has been a steep learning curve, but extremely rewarding, and I have made friends who will stay with me for the rest of my life. If you are serious about childcare and being a professional childcare practitioner Norland is the place to come.