The college, which trained the Prince and Princess of Wales’ nanny, says it wants to encourage more men, LGBTQ students and non-binary students to enroll.
Norland College, which trains top-notch nannies for royals and celebrities, has announced it aims to increase diversity at the college by 5 percent over the next few years.
Nannies studying at the College of Bath, Somerset are known for their tan uniforms and exceptional child care.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were looked after by “Spanish supernanny” and Norland graduate Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo for almost a decade after she was hired by the royal family in 2014.
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger also employs a Norlander and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were set to hire one after the birth of Archie, now four.
Norland presented his improvement plan, which he said uses a “dedicated strategy and taskforce” to focus on “supporting access and expanding participation” at the college.
“We are particularly committed not only to expanding our own student demographics, but also to increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in this sector,” the university said in a statement.
“We have a number of ongoing initiatives specifically targeting male and non-binary students, students from under-represented ethnic groups, mature students and students who are care leavers.”
Norland says some of its goals are already being met, such as the “vast majority” of students coming from state-funded schools rather than private schools.
The statement continued: “We have taken proactive steps to encourage students from different parts of society to study at Norland, such as visiting schools from disadvantaged areas, proactive marketing to promote socio-cultural attitudes towards, for example, men, that work as nannies.” Tailored open houses that promote inclusion and opportunity for all.”
Liam Willett and Harry Pratt became the first men to graduate in the college’s 131-year history in 2018, but the vast majority of graduates are still young women.
Mr Willett, who worked with a two-year-old boy, said: ‘I am delighted to be one of Norland’s first male graduates and hope to show that gender makes no difference in childcare.’
Mr. Pratt also wanted to pursue a career with children, but had figured teaching was his only option.
“Now that I’ve graduated, I’m excited to have the opportunity to inspire other young men who share the same passion for early childhood education to consider nannying as a career choice,” he said.
Norland College has been training professional nannies since 1892 when it was founded by Emily Ward.
For more than 130 years, Norland nannies have been known for two things: their traditional Mary Poppins-style uniforms and their unwavering discretion.
But Norland College, meanwhile, has made a concession to modern sensibilities by introducing a gender-neutral option to its strict dress code.
While female students were expected to wear a dress and male student’s pants, all students can now choose pants in addition to the traditional tweed blazer or raincoat.
Students are expected to wear the uniform throughout their three-year childcare course in Bath, which also includes lessons in self-defense, security training, evasive maneuvers and – a must for celebrity clients – paparazzi avoidance skills.
While wearing the uniform, students are not allowed to chew gum, listen to music through headphones, buy fast food or alcohol, or use a phone while walking.
Many continue to wear their uniform when they start work, either of their own volition or at the urging of their employer who is keen to brag about the fame of a Norland nanny – which can cost her up to £100,000 a year.
Despite the high salaries, Headmistress Dr. Janet Rose last year said demand for Norland nannies was higher than ever and that there were 14 positions available for every qualified person.
Norlanders are known for looking after the children of the rich and famous, and several royal nannies have been placed through the college’s employment agency.
In the 1950s, Prince Charles and Princess Anne also had a nanny, as did Prince Andrew’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie.
In fact, Beatrice herself hired a £1,000-a-week nanny from Norland for the birth of her first daughter Sienna in 2021.
Graduates from the college include the Wales’ nanny and Ulrika Jonsson’s daughter Bo, who qualified earlier this year.
