Educated girls
Mrs Walter Ward saw the need for well brought up and educated girls in nurseries. She also saw the need of well brought up and educated girls - who had neither the desire nor the scholarship to pass examinations - for a career. By insight and imagination she brought these two needs to bear on each other - and the result was the founding of the Norland Institute in 1892. She had first consulted with the mistresses of various colleges about her scheme and had received a certain amount of encouragement - and a certain amount of cold water. But Mrs Ward went on her way unmoved, feeling that her enterprise was sure of success.
She was right. From the very beginning the Norland Institute 'took on'. It fired the imagination of girls who were fond of domestic life, as a career, and as an outlet for their energies. And it also fired the imagination of mothers who longed for an educated and trained nurse for their children.
The success of the Norland Institute is mainly due to the fact that only girls of the best character are admitted as students; therefore Mothers feel, and have felt from the beginning, that they can safely entrust their children to a Norland Nurse. 9 December 1925
Nannies vs college-trained nurses
FC says: I have not had the privilege of a college training, indeed, when I went into the nursery 21 years ago nursery colleges were few and not very well known, but I fully realise what a great advantage a college training must be in this as in other occupations. 17 March 1926
Montessori method
It is expected that shortly throughout Italy the minister for education will be given power to authorise a bi-annual course of preparatory and elementary instruction on the Montessori system of education, the course given by Dr Montessori, and to be of not less than six months' duration.
At the Institute of the Umanitaria at Milan, Dr Montessori has started the first of these official instructions, paving the way for those that will follow when the proposed new law shall become universal throughout Italy.
One hundred and fifty teachers are taking the course. 26 May 1926
Candidates wanted
Advert: Hoylake Training College, Day Nurseries, and Babies Hospital, 5/7 Trinity Road, Hoylake, Cheshire - Girls of good education received for one year's training (age 17 years and over). Fee: 70, plus uniform.
Subjects: Care and dieting of sick and healthy babies from 24 hours to 3 years in residence, management of resident and day nurseries; needlework, baby clothing, laundry, nursery cookery, domestic subjects, psychology and kindergarten. Students are prepared for the Royal Sanitary Institute Examination. Posts are found on completion of a satisfactory course. Apply to Matron. 5 February 1936
The knowledge
Two month's free Nursery College Training will be given to uncertificated children's nurses who have not less than six years' experience in private families under a new Ministry of Health scheme. The object is to open the senior posts in war-time nurseries to a wider range of women by giving those who are already well accustomed to the handling of little children a knowledge of the administrative side of war-time nursery work and of the routine necessary when dealing with large groups of children under five.
Salaries range from 135 to 150 a year. 24 December 1942
Residential nurseries
The training of students under the auspices of the National Nursery Examination Board continues in 56 nurseries for which local authorities are responsible, compared with 71 in 1951, and in 56 voluntary nurseries compared with 64 in 1951. In some areas the reduction in the number of day nurseries has resulted in a temporary increase in requests for training in residential nurseries. While some students, at the end of their training, take employment in residential nurseries, others go on to training as hospital nurses or teachers and some become children's nurses in private families. Some have trained later as housemothers in children's homes. 24 November 1955
Baby care
Ninky writes: It seems to me extraordinary that at the majority of girls'
schools no education is given on nursery management. Most girls will marry and spend a number of years coping with infants and toddlers - surely a vital part of any woman's life - and yet we leave school dismally ignorant of the first thing about babies, though no doubt well equipped to help them along with homework later! 7 July 1960
NNEB
The N.N.E.B examination for nursery nurses was taken by 1,660 girls, of whom 1,476 were successful. Most of them gained, in their training, practical experience of children from 1 to 5 years, of which at least four months were with children under 2 years. 28 July 1960
Closing time
At a time when, sadly, many nursery training colleges are closing down, it is good news to hear of the recent extension to the premises of the Princess Christian Nursery Training College, at Fallowfield, Manchester.
The extension comprises 11 study bedrooms, three staff rooms and the night nurse's bedroom. 6 April 1972
Equal value
A reader writers: Nursery nurses are already undermined as it is and I take great offence to the remark about the 'ordinary NNEB course'.
The NNEB is more or less the same as the Norland training - but without the trimmings!
I know many colleagues on the NNEB course at the college I attend would match any Norland nannie for efficiency and love of children any day! 12 April 1984
Up to date
A reader writes: Nursery World helps to keep me up to date. I write for further information when asked to do so, I have bought for use within my department books you have reviewed, and I often introduce a new topic to my girls by reading one of your articles, which provoke good worthwhile discussions. I really feel I get my money's worth and look forward each week to what my younger son used to call 'Mummy's comic'! 26 April 1984
National body
We have heard that a proposal has been put to the DHSS, DES and HMI for the establishment of a national body responsible for training, examination and registration of ALL people who wish to provide under-fives day care for reward. This would include childminders. We understand there is considerable interest. The establishment of such a body would have a major effect on childcare provision as we know it today, and may affect the NNEB, NAMCW and City & Guilds Certificate in Home Economics for Family and Community Care. 27 March 1986
Unqualified carers
'It seems incredible,' says Dr Duncan Dolton, who has served as medical officer to various schools, clinics and cities for nearly 30 years, 'that in 1986 parents are still putting their children under the fulltime care of untrained childminders (even though they may be registered) and some unqualified nursery nurses.' 3 July 1986
Qualification framework
The Working with Under Sevens Project is part of a nationwide initiative to change the face of vocational training in Britain today. Eventually, it is likely to affect everyone wishing to work in childcare in one way or another. The National Council for Vocational Qualification (NCVQ) has the unenviable job of reforming the system, and hopefully it will get over the immediate cash crisis it is facing. The aim is to produce a framework of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). This will mean students can achieve 'units of competence' which employers can recognise as based on standards expected in employment. 26 July 1990
Catching up
NVQs and SVQs are about to enter the 21st century. Their content is being updated to reflect a host of developments including Birth to Three Matters, the Foundation Stage curriculum and the Common Core, along with extended schools and children's centres. Training Today, Summer 2005
