Find out why you should study early childhood education and care at Norland
Discover our early childhood training
10 reasons to choose Norland
- Pioneering early childhood education and care and a worldwide reputation for nurturing the best early years practitioners for over 130 years.
- Award-winning degree and diploma training offering a unique blend of theory, practice and extensive real-world experience.
- Two distinct qualifications in addition to industry-recognised Graduate Early Childhood Practitioner Competencies status.
- The highest quality teaching, experience and outcomes found in the country – Norland is in the top 12% of universities rated Gold in all categories of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.
- A small and specialist centre of excellence in the early years offering an inclusive and nurturing environment, innovative industry expertise, small class sizes and a faculty of expert teachers and practitioners.
- One of the top student experiences in the UK – Norland consistently outperforms most universities in the National Student Survey and has won the UK’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards four times, most recently being named the top small or specialist provider in 2024 and 2023.
- Employability-focused training that includes 34 weeks of placement experience and dedicated employment and professional skills training to ensure you are fully prepared for any early years role.
- Fourth year in paid employment as a probationary nanny with a family that we find for you and support you throughout (no tuition fees due in this year).
- 100% guaranteed employment opportunities and one of the highest average graduate salaries as a highly sought-after Norland Nanny through your own dedicated employment agency.
- A dynamic and rewarding career that will enable you to make a big difference in children’s lives, supporting the children in your care through every milestone as a highly respected professional graduate nanny.
“I would recommend Norland to anyone who is looking for the best early years training, opportunities and career. It is second to none!”
Chloe worked in early years settings prior to joining Norland, to gain experience and develop her confidence.
Read Chloe's My Norland Story
A top 12% TEF Gold-rated provider for outstanding student experience and outcomes
Norland was awarded an overall TEF Gold rating and Gold in both of the two ‘aspect’ ratings for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.
Norland is one of only a small number of higher education providers to achieve Gold in all categories, putting it in the top 12% in the country.
“The career prospects of graduates are exceptional, and as a result of the quality of their training, graduates leave as highly skilled and sought after nannies.” Summary TEF panel statement
Find out more about Norland's TEF Gold award
“The opportunities Norland have, the world becomes your oyster and you could be anywhere and go anywhere you want."
Joe and Will joined Norland with a shared passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families.
In their My Norland Story, they discuss their childcare experience, why more men considering working in the early years should look into nannying, and student life in Bath.
Study at the top small or specialist provider in the UK
Norland was crowned winner at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards for the fourth time in 2024.
The Whatuni Awards are an annual celebration of the best university and higher education institutions in the UK. They are unique from any other awards or league tables as all the universities are nominated and judged by students. In 2024, more than 38,000 student reviews were collected from 267 higher education institutions nationwide.
In 2021, Norland received a special award from Whatuni when it was named the best university in the UK for enhanced graduate outcomes, beating many much larger universities to the top spot.
“Getting to put the theory into practice and spend time with different children and families is really special.”
Genna joined Norland after taking a few years out to work as a nanny. In her My Norland Story, Genna describes enrolling as a mature student as “one of the best things I could’ve done”.
Learn more about what makes Norland so different
Unlock your potential in early childhood education and care
Gain two distinct qualifications, Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner status and the professional title Norlander or Norland Nanny.
Learn more about our degree and diplomaA cutting-edge curriculum
Our value-added curriculum blends the latest research with practical training and hands-on experience, ensuring you not only learn theoretical knowledge but also apply it in real-world settings.
Discover placement opportunitiesValue-added experience
You’ll benefit from an enhanced skill set and a wealth of practical skills, alongside your academic achievements, making you a highly sought-after professional early years practitioner.
Learn more about our value-added curriculumTransform your future
As a fully qualified Norland Nanny, you'll be in high demand and enjoy 100% guranteed employment opportunities and one of the highest average graduate salaries through the Norland Agency.
Explore our graduate career opportunities"I chose Norland because there’s nowhere else like it in the world. Now that I'm here, Norland really feels like home."
Beginning university is nerve-wracking enough. Imagine moving to a new country for university. That’s exactly what Emma did when she moved from the US to Bath to study early childhood to become a Norland Nanny.
In her My Norland Story, Emma reflects on the feeling of being dropped off at the airport, settling into life in Bath and the various early years placements she’s completed in her first year.
View our international students pageDiscover why Norland was named best UK university for graduate outcomes in 2021
Norland received a special one-off award in recognition of the exceptional career opportunities, employability-focused training and lifelong career support it provides to its fully qualified graduates. It was named the top university in the UK for Enhanced Graduate Outcomes at the 2021 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), beating many much larger universities to win. As part of the prize, five Norland students were awarded Whatuni student bursaries, including second-year students Joe and Andrea.
Watch Whatuni’s video to find out what it meant to Joe and Andrea to be awarded a bursary, and hear from Dr Janet Rose and Mandy Edmond about the award-winning graduate outcomes available to Norlanders once fully qualified from our early childhood training.
Ready to begin your Norland journey? Discover more at our upcoming events
See more student stories about studying early childhood at Norland
“I had a really amazing childhood and I wanted to give that experience back to other children and families.” – Harriet’s story
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“I think applying as a mature student was probably one of the best things I could have done” – Genna’s story
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“I found out that nannying was a career and that I could be in a family home and I liked the ability to make closer relationships with individual children.” – Sophia’s story
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“What has really stood out for me are the job opportunities I’ve had as a student” – Helen’s story
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"I don't think anyone can quite get into words exactly what Norland means to you because it's such an amazing thing to be a part of."
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“Never have I been in an environment with more considerate, kind and loving people as at Norland” – Abi’s story
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“Norland has brought out the best of me and I feel that being at Norland will bring the best out of you and make you the best practitioner you can be” – Leah’s story
Read full storyWe are a pioneering, evolving, and inclusive community of professionals who are united in fostering an exceptional, rewarding and respectful learning environment and workplace. Our heritage and values are consistently embedded in our practices and define our actions.Norland culture statement Find out more about our heritage, ethos and vision
