Career Preparation

Throughout their time at the college and in the last few weeks of their final term at Norland, students attend lectures and sessions that will help them prepare for employment.

Forest School

Students spend the day at a local forest school learning about how to use outdoor spaces to teach children, allowing them to take risks and learn from the environment around them. The day typically starts with a walk to collect wild edible plants such as wild garlic and dry wood and kindling to start a small fire. In pairs the students learn how to start a fire whist learning about the surrounding environment and then spend the afternoon learning woodworking methods to make wooden utensils.

Skid Pan

Students spend half a day doing a skid pan course at a local racecourse in Castle Combe. They learn how to drive in difficult conditions as well as avoiding skidding on icy and wet roads.

Drive Alive - Children in Transit Course  

This half day course was written specifically for students of Norland College by the driving training company Drive Alive. The aim of this course is to give students knowledge and awareness of children while driving including; security before moving, use of seat belts and booster seats; security while in motion, keeping children occupied, managing behaviour; knowing your vehicle and using public transport with children.

Baby Massage Course

Students are taught basic baby massage strokes that can be incorporated into a baby’s routine particularly at bed times. These massage techniques can help a baby to relax and prepare to be put down for the night.

Guest Speakers

During employment weeks a working Norland Nanny is invited back to the college to speak to the students about what they should expect from their first role, offer advice and answer questions about what it is really like to work as a nanny.

London Trip

Many of the first jobs that Norland Probationary Nannies will go into are based in London. Therefore in preparation for this, students spend one day in London getting to know there way around and performing tasks and research in areas that are relevant to their mock interview locations. As Norland Probationary Nannys are expected to attend their first interview in full formal uniform, students wear their uniform on this trip to allow them to get used to being seen in uniform.

Mock Interviews

Students are given mock interviews based on probationer families that the agency have worked with. In preparation for their actual interviews they are expected to do research on the area where the job is located so that they can answer interview questions well. Mock interviews are then carried out by members of the college staff.

Voice - The Union for Educational Professionals

All probationer nannies have to have insurance before starting their first position. To help with this Voice, The Union for Educational Professionals give a talk to the students about how to go about this and also about the benefits of belonging to the union.