Founded in 1892, Norland is world-famous for providing the very best early years training and education

Grounded in history, focused on the future

Founded in 1892 by educational pioneer Emily Ward, Norland was the first educational establishment to offer any kind of childcare training. Emily Ward recognised the need for early years childcare to be more structured, centred around the child, loving and nurturing. Prior to the introduction of formal training at Norland, children would be cared for by ‘untutored’ housemaids before going to school. Training at Norland was based on the founding principles of Fröbel, the German educationalist best known as the originator of the ‘kindergarten system’, and adapted to be more relevant to the needs of young children and their families.

Emily Ward opened Norland on 25 September 1892. Her recently discovered notebook contains over 120 pages of first-hand accounts of the founding days of the Norland Institute, as it was first known, from 14 May 1892 through to 6 November 1919. The handwritten pages contain personal insights into her life during the period and, along with newspaper cuttings, invitations and documents carefully secured onto the pages by Emily, give a unique insight into the time. Emily Ward’s legacy is immortalised through the Emily Ward Bursary, which provides students with the opportunity to obtain a grant towards the cost of their tuition fees.

Along with its location, the curriculum at Norland has changed and progressed with the times to offer the most up-to-date academic childcare training courses and the highest practice standards in line with the latest research. Norland’s worldwide reputation as being at the forefront of early years education and training continues. It now offers an intensive academic degree and skills-based diploma programme, combining cutting edge research and knowledge with practical training. It is our students, past and present, who have been instrumental in establishing Norland’s position as the leader in early years education. Every Norlander carries the responsibility of maintaining our reputation to the highest of standards.

Throughout its constant development Norland’s values have remained the same, with children being at the centre of all decisions and the Norland mottoes ‘Love Never Faileth’ and ‘Fortis In Arduis’ (Strength in Adversity) being central to its values.

Our mission and vision

Our mission

Norland’s mission is to uphold and enhance our prestigious reputation and provide a bespoke early years higher education, training and consultancy informed by cutting edge research, and cultivate outstanding graduates with lifelong career opportunities, professional support and continuous learning.

Our vision

• Norland will continue to build a sustainable and prestigious national and international reputation as a unique and specialist higher education provider of lifelong education, training and employment for outstanding nannies and early years practitioners
• Students will continue to experience the highest standard of provision and become knowledgeable and skilled graduates with excellent career prospects working in partnership with children, families and communities
• Norland will contribute to the early years sector by generating cutting edge research, training and consultancy to support the very best in early years provision and in related services both nationally and internationally
• Norland Agency will actively promote, access and support to Norlanders to facilitate employment opportunities and continuing professional development
• Norland will proactively engage with stakeholders, the local and wider community, prospective clients and enhance its charitable activities
• A cohesive, continuous and collaborative learning community will be developed that challenges and enhances the professionalism and expertise of its staff, students and graduates, draws on and promotes their strengths to drive progressive change, and generates leadership capability from within