Norland Nanny of the Year Sophie shares her journey to Norland and beyond
3 July 2025
For Sophie (Set 39), her affinity for caregiving made Norland, and nannying, a natural choice. Her journey to becoming a Norland Nanny began with a deep-seated passion for nurturing and supporting others, a passion that has only grown stronger over the years.
In this blog, we delve into Sophie’s inspiring journey, her reflections on her time at Norland and the incredible impact she has made as a Norland Nanny.
“Growing up in the Cotswolds as one of four children, I always loved being part of a big family. From a young age I was naturally drawn to babies, often playing with my baby dolls and taking on the role of caregiver.
“Caring for and supporting others has always come naturally to me and I knew early on that I wanted to turn this instinct into a career. Before joining Norland, I completed a two-year diploma for the children and young people’s workforce.
“After some research into different pathways, it was my eldest sister that first discovered Norland. And, after watching an ITV documentary, I knew that Norland was the right path for me. My parents and I attended an open day, and I applied soon after. I was thrilled to be invited for an interview and received an offer, which felt like a dream come true. In 2015, I moved to Bath to begin my training. I graduated in 2018 with my BA (Hons) in Early Years Development and Learning (students now study the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care), completing the prestigious Norland diploma in 2019 and graduating as a Norland Nanny in 2020, achievements I am incredibly proud of.
“Since then, I have worked as a nanny for two wonderful families, gained experience within the NHS and founded my own business, Sophie Sleep. On a personal level, I married my partner in life, Matt, in September 2024.
How did Norland’s training prepare you for your career as a Norland Nanny?
“Over the four years, I gained broad experiences both academically and practically. The opportunity to study for a degree whilst also working towards the skills-based Norland diploma was invaluable and an experience that has opened many doors for me professionally.
“Our training was unique, with six weeks of lectures followed by six weeks of placement balancing academic learning with hands-on experience. I particularly loved the practical elements, from learning to fold a traditional terry towelling nappy to attending food and nutrition lectures.
“Placements were a highlight for me. I worked in family homes, nurseries, schools and even on a hospital maternity ward. One of my earliest placements was with a wonderful family in Bath, where we built a lasting relationship.
“I also had the opportunity to work with families of multiples, including two sets of triplets and a set of quadruplets. During these placements, I had a real team dynamic with the parents and the placements were truly memorable.
“As my training came to an end, I fondly remember employment weeks filled with activities like orienteering in London, skid pan driving, self-defence, first aid and aqua babies. It was an exciting way to finish our time at Norland and prepare for real-life work.
My career as a Norlander
“When I applied for my very first nannying role, I knew I wanted to be in London. I focused my job search on the city. I can recall travelling in my Norland uniform, navigating the tube with a mix of nerves and excitement.
“I moved to London in 2018 and secured my first role as a live-in Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN) with a family in Bayswater, central London. I cared for one child and we were lucky enough to be located just a short walk from Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens which we visited daily. My charge and I attended music sessions at the Royal Albert Hall and joined weekly playgroups in Notting Hill and Kensington. One of our favourite spots was the Princess Diana Memorial Playground, where we spent countless hours.
“A particularly proud moment came during my Norland Diploma graduation, when I was honoured with a special commendation award for outstanding practice during my NQN year. I was so thrilled to have been recognised for the dedication, love and hard work I had poured into my first role, marking the beginning of my career as a fully qualified Norland Nanny.
“I continued to work for my NQN family for two more years as a live-out nanny. During this time the family welcomed another baby and my role evolved into caring for two little ones.
“One of the most challenging times during this period was navigating the global pandemic. I cycled to work daily to avoid public transport and focused on creating a sense of normality and routine for the children. This period tested my creativity and resilience as a nanny, but also taught me the value of adaptability and the power of positivity.
“To my surprise and delight, the family nominated me for Norland Nanny of the Year 2024.”
“In 2021, I bought my first home with my partner and moved to Oxfordshire. I trained as a Maternity Nurse to further pursue my growing interest in babies. I also felt ready to try something new to broaden my experience and make a difference on a larger scale by supporting not just one family, but many.
“That desire to help more people led me to take a leap into joining the NHS as part of a health visiting team, inspired by my mum who has worked in the NHS maternity sector for over 25 years. Working alongside health visitors and staff nurses, my role involved running baby weighing clinics, conducting developmental reviews, leading parent groups and offering support on topics like sleep and feeding. I spent much of my time out in the community, supporting a wide range of families.
“I thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a knowledgeable and supportive team, and seeing the impact I was able to make in so many families’ lives, offering reassurance, advice and encouragement during some of their most vulnerable moments.
“Following my role in the NHS, I studied an advanced gentle sleep education course and began my next nanny role with a family just outside Oxford. Over the year we spent together, I developed a wonderful bond with the child and their family. In this role, it was a privilege to help my charge reach special milestones, learning to walk and talk, fostering a love of food and nurturing social skills through play and friendships. I was often, adorably, known as “Ce Ce” to the little one.
“When the family relocated to Wandsworth in London, I continued working with them part-time as a live-in nanny supporting the transition for my charge. We embraced a new adventure, discovering the classes and area of Wandsworth together.
“To my surprise and delight, the family nominated me for Norland Nanny of the Year 2024. It was an incredibly special and emotional moment, knowing they valued my care, dedication and the positive impact I had on their child’s life. This nomination is a true career highlight and one I will treasure forever.
Launching my own business
“I have always dreamed of running my own business, following my drive to create something of my own and work independently. With a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience, I wanted to support families and educate people on a broader scale.
“This dream became Sophie Sleep. The name came naturally, born out of both my personal love of sleep and my professional experience supporting families with sleep throughout my career. My business provides parents and carers with expert support and guidance. At the heart of my approach is a simple belief, every child and every family deserves the very best start in life. My vision is to expand with tailored guides from birth to pre-school, empowering families at every early years stage.
“Starting my own business would not have been possible without my Norland training. Norland equipped me with practical skills and the confidence to embrace entrepreneurship. Watching my business grow has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’m excited to continue developing the business and finding new ways to make a meaningful impact on families and caregivers around the world.
My favourite part of being a Norland Nanny
“The Norland title is something I carry with immense pride. It is recognised as a symbol of excellence and professionalism in childcare. I’m always so proud to be a Norland Nanny and feel truly honoured to have been given the opportunity to train there.
“Being a nanny is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. No two days are the same and while the responsibility can be immense, so too is the privilege of playing such a meaningful role in a child’s earliest years. It’s a career that touches the heart in ways few others can.
“One particularly special tradition I’ve created is collecting a photo from each placement or role, dressed in my Norland uniform with the children I’ve cared for. These photos are treasured keepsakes, capturing precious moments in time and reminding me of the love and joy shared.
“Winning Norland Nanny of the Year was a complete shock. I was filled with emotion in the best way possible. It was truly an honour and a moment I’ll never forget. Being recognised for the care, dedication and hard work I poured into the role means the world to me.
“This award reflects the commitment, compassion and love I bring to my work each and every day. I’m especially grateful to the family who nominated me, for their trust, their kindness and their belief in me. I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I love and to be acknowledged in such a meaningful way.
Advice for aspiring Norlanders
“Don’t doubt yourself. If you believe in your dreams, anything is possible. With passion and drive to work with children and families, Norland is the perfect place. The training is outstanding, the career opportunities are endless, and the recognition that comes with being a Norlander is truly special. It’s a decision you will never regret.”
Read our interviews with previous Norland Nanny of the Year award winners and find out more about the wide variety of careers our graduates pursue in our career pathway blogs.
