From Politics at Cambridge to Norland: Evi's journey to becoming a Norland Nanny
20 March 2025
Evi was on a specialised tutoring pathway for Oxbridge and applying to Russell Group universities including Durham and Edinburgh, when she decided to follow her passion for working with children.
In this blog, Newly Qualified Nanny Evi discusses her journey to nannying and to Norland, what she learned throughout her degree journey, and her dreams for her future career as a Norland Nanny.
Journey to Norland
“My name is Evi, I’m originally from Portsmouth and I grew up with a really strong connection to the armed forces, which sparked my interest in global affairs. This meant I almost attended the University of Cambridge to study Politics and International Relations before choosing Norland.
I was inspired to come to Norland by my Year 2 teacher Miss Jordan, a sheer testament to her nature as I’ve remembered her all this time. I wanted to give the same love, care and compassion to children. Originally I thought that would be by going right into the heart of policy, legislation and law, but then I realised my dream would be to make a difference on a more intimate, one-to-one level, and wished to become anything from a midwife to a speech therapist before finally learning about the role of the nanny.
“When I decided I wanted to become a nanny, I remember thinking that if I could make just one child feel as unique as I was made to feel, then my job would be done. Nannying offered this incredible way to make such a positive intimate impact in not only a child’s learning and development but the workings of an entire family.
“As a nanny, you’re there for almost every experience, the lows, yes, but also the highs and the huge milestones for your charges and nanny family. This is an experience that is very special to nannying, and to Norland.
“I found out about Norland through family friends who had a Norland Nanny for their two boys, and I was in awe!
Time at Norland
“I feel utterly privileged to have had the chance to study at Norland. I have loved every moment of studying here.
“In the years leading up to university, I struggled with my mental health and was looking for a more personal, nurturing approach when thinking about my higher education. The student support team at Norland is unrivalled. Norland provides a warm and friendly environment and the staff to student ratio means that lecturers know your backstory, what makes you tick and what unique support you might need. It was entirely different to being a small fish in a big ocean, which other universities often seemed like.
“The course at Norland provided such a variety; one moment I was creating my own business – a personal favourite – then I was in a lecture about how to support children during divorce and finishing the week creating sushi in food and nutrition lectures!
“The lecturers are the best of the best in their areas (I often found myself referencing them during my essays!) and a number of them are Norlanders who apply their teachings to the real-life scenarios we’ll experience as a nanny, often the very next month on placement.
“The beauty of Norland means that not only are you supported, but you’re also pushed to reach your very best.”
“I was very fortunate to have a fantastic dissertation supervisor. She put her heart and soul into making sure I was feeling confident in my work but would also not shy away from saying that my essay was good, but I could do better. Whilst it was a challenge for me to adapt to the expectations that came with higher education, such as the specific requirements of essay formats (having to stick to a word count and not waffle), I felt that it was possible for me to attain. I put my academic success purely down to the excellent standard of lecturing and the staff who worked, around the clock on occasions, to help me any way they could.
“Every aspect of Norland has been purposefully created, displayed and taught to the students in a way that interlinks our diploma work and our degree work so effectively. No other nannying course, degree or job can really do that in my opinion, and that’s what makes Norland, Norland.
“My favourite part about studying at Norland is how special it is. We might not have a student’s union, or thousands of people to meet, but Norland has such special history and traditions that really made my three years. The annual Christmas carol service, Heritage Day, Founder’s Day ceremony, breakfast club, movie nights, my lecturers cheering me on at the Bath Half, the all-sets nights out, self-defence, virtual babies… the list could go on of the elements that make Norland unique and special!
NQN and current role
“I’m currently in my Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN) role with the most amazing family made up of mum and dad and a four-month-old. They were the first family I interviewed for, through the dedicated Norland Agency, and I left telling everyone that I would be devastated if I wasn’t offered the role as I loved everything about it straightaway.
“You spend three years waiting in anticipation to get into your NQN year, everything prepares you in the lead up to finding your right family and the new experience of being in employment has been so exciting. I put this purely down to the fact that I felt so prepared and confident.
“Personally, having such extensive hands-on experience through our placements means I have had the space to ask questions, make mistakes, be told where I can do better and how I can reach new heights and correct my practice.
“I’ve been very lucky with the opportunities I have been offered in the past three years including nannying all ages, working abroad, supporting multiples and more. Now, I am content with just seeing where my new role as an NQN takes me.
“I think every Norlander’s dream is to find the perfect family where the role doesn’t feel like a job, and for me that means growing with the family and following wherever that takes me!”
Find out more about studying at Norland
