For more than 130 years, one institution has stood apart in professional nanny education: Norland.
Founded in England in 1892, Norland has become internationally recognized for educating and training some of the world’s most highly qualified and in-demand professional nannies.
This September, Norland College will officially become Norland University of Early Childhood, making it the world’s first university dedicated specifically to early childhood.
What Is a Norland Nanny?
Why is that so special? Because it also marks an important moment for the professional childcare industry as a whole.
The story of the Norland Nanny began back in 1892. Educator Emily Ward founded the Norland Institute in London with the idea that caring for young children was not simply domestic work, but a profession requiring specialized education and training as well as a deep understanding of child development.
Norland became the first educational institution to offer formal childcare training, helping to establish professional nannying as we know it today.
Ever since, the Norland name has become one of the most prestigious credentials in professional childcare. Graduates who earn the right to call themselves Norlanders are among the most highly trained and sought-after nannies in the world, working with private families throughout the UK and internationally.
Their reputation has taken Norlanders into some of the world’s most high-profile households, including the British Royal Family. Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, longtime nanny to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, is a Norland graduate and has cared for the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales for more than a decade.
Today, Norland is based in Bath, England, and continues to set an exceptionally high standard for the profession.
Students complete a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care alongside the prestigious Norland diploma, combining an in-depth understanding of child development and early childhood education with the practical skills required to care for children at the highest professional level.
What Makes Norland Nanny Training Different?
Training extends well beyond the classroom. Students develop practical skills in areas including children’s health and wellbeing, nutrition and cooking, sewing, safety and emergency response, and working effectively within private family homes.
Following three years of study, students complete an additional Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN) year, working full-time in a paid position with a family while continuing to receive guidance and support from Norland.
That combination of academic knowledge, intensive practical training, and supervised professional experience helps explain why Norland Nannies are so highly regarded in the profession.
Why Norland Becoming a University Matters
On September 7, 2026, Norland will officially become Norland University of Early Childhood, the world’s first university dedicated specifically to early childhood education.
Professional nannies are entrusted with children’s safety, development, emotional wellbeing, education, and some of the most formative years of their lives. The very best nannies bring in-depth knowledge, sound judgment, professionalism, adaptability, and a deep understanding of children’s healthy growth and development.
Its transition to university status is a meaningful step in recognizing early childhood care and education as highly skilled professional work — long overdue, in my humble opinion.
For career nannies, it further elevates your profession.
For families, it reinforces the value of professional development when choosing someone to play such an important role in their children’s lives.
Norland Is Now an Option for U.S. Nannies
One of the most exciting developments for American nannies happened even before Norland achieved university status.
Historically, studying at Norland wasn’t accessible to most students outside the UK and Europe. That changed in 2021, when Norland received authorization to sponsor international students under the UK’s Student visa route.
Today, American students can attend Norland, making this prestigious training accessible to a new generation of U.S. nannies.
For American nannies serious about building a long-term career in private childcare, Norland is a professional path worth considering.
Is Becoming a Norland Nanny Worth It?
There is no getting around the fact that becoming a Norland Nanny represents a substantial commitment, both academically and financially.
Students complete three years of intensive academic study and practical training in Bath, England, followed by a fourth year working full-time as a paid Newly Qualified Nanny.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, first-year tuition and Norland’s lifelong support fee for international students requiring a Student visa is the equivalent of approximately $28,000, before accommodation, living expenses, and other costs.*
But the potential career opportunities are equally significant. The Times recently highlighted the exceptional demand for Norland graduates, along with the earning potential that can come with the credential.
According to Norland’s current salary guidelines, experienced Norland Nannies working in North America can command salaries equivalent to $200,000+ per year.* Norland also reports approximately five available positions for every Norlander seeking a job through its employment agency, and graduates receive lifelong career support.
As a nanny agency owner with more than two decades of experience in professional childcare, I can say that Norland credentials on a nanny’s résumé would certainly stand out to me.
*Approximate U.S. dollar equivalents based on August 2026 exchange rates; actual costs, compensation, and exchange rates vary.
Do You Need to Be a Norland Nanny to Have an Exceptional Nanny Career?
Absolutely not. But a Norland education is a credential that would immediately stand out to many leading nanny agencies and families.
That being said, some of the best professional nannies I’ve encountered throughout my career in America have built exceptional careers through years of hands-on experience, continuing education, outstanding references, and a genuine passion for working with children and families.
At A Nanny Match, we work with accomplished career nannies from many different educational and professional backgrounds. What we admire about Norland is not the idea that there is only one path to becoming an exceptional nanny, but what the institution represents: a belief that professional childcare deserves to be treated as a serious, skilled, and respected profession.
That is a philosophy we share.
Whether through formal early childhood education, newborn care training, child development coursework, safety certifications, specialized workshops, or other meaningful professional development, we encourage nannies to continue learning throughout their careers.
Should American Nannies Consider Norland University?
For the right person, absolutely.
If you are an American nanny at the beginning of your career, or considering professional nannying as a long-term career, and have the ability and desire to study abroad, Norland University of Early Childhood is worth exploring.
Look carefully at the program, cost, time commitment, and requirements for international students, and consider whether this level of specialized education aligns with the career you want to build.
At A Nanny Match, we’re excited to see Norland enter this next chapter and what its new university status may mean for the future of professional childcare. We would also love to see more American nannies pursue this level of education — and, of course, to welcome more Norland-trained nannies into the A Nanny Match professional network.
Interested in Growing Your Career as a Professional Nanny?
A Nanny Match connects experienced professional nannies and household staff with families in New York City, the Tri-State Area, select locations throughout the United States, and Italy.
If you’re an experienced candidate looking for your next opportunity, we invite you to explore opportunities and learn more about joining the A Nanny Match network.
