Norland collaborates with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood
6 August 2025
Norland – the world-renowned higher education provider of early childhood education and care – is proud to announce its partnership with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood as an early adopter of The Explainer Series, a new suite of animated films and resources.
The series, which includes seven short, animated films designed by illustrators and animators builds on The Shaping Us Framework, launched by the centre in Spring 2025. The films and accompanying guidance expand on the framework, with each exploring a different concept from the seven framework elements such as ‘How we grow an emotionally healthy brain’ and ‘Managing big feelings together’. Through this, The Explainer Series forms a practical and accessible way to communicate the science of early childhood development.
Each film is designed to deepen understanding of the science of early brain development and the critical role of adult-child interactions in healthy social and emotional development. The films are accompanied by practitioner guidance and science briefings, making them valuable tools for professionals, and caregivers, working with children and families.
As an early adopter, Norland is playing a key role in mobilising and sharing these important resources across its community of students, staff, graduates, placement families and families of Norland Nannies. The initiative aligns with Norland’s longstanding commitment for over 133 years to promote excellence and innovation in early years education including ensuring our provision remains cutting-edge and informed by the latest evidence-based research on how to provide an optimal environment for young children that will lay the foundation for their future development.
A focus on young children’s social and emotional development particularly resonates for Norland with our emphasis on the development of self-regulation throughout our course. This focus includes the teaching of practical strategies, such as emotion coaching, to support the development of positive mental health in young children.
Principal Dr Janet Rose said:
“Norland is delighted to collaborate with the Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood, supporting its vital work to improve children’s lives during the most critical developmental stages.
“We will be integrating the Explainers materials in a number of different ways – as a teaching resource as part of our BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care degree as well as our practical, skills-based Norland Diploma qualification; as a tool for sharing with placement families and employers of Norland Nannies to support their understanding of the importance of early interactions; as part of our Continuing Professional Development programme for our graduates to enrich their professional practice with young children; and as a valuable aid for our international initiatives with governments and organisations who are prioritising early childhood development.”
Find out more about The Explainer Series and access the films and accompanying resources on The Centre for Early Childhood website.
