Trainee nannies taught paparazzi avoidance and self defence

Trainee nannies at a college in Bath are being taught self-defence and paparazzi avoidance skills as part of their BA Honours degree course. Norland College has been training professional nannies since 1892.



But to meet the needs of modern parents the college has added skid pan training and Tae Kwon-Do to its degree course. Emily Ward, from Norland, said the activities ensure students are "fully prepared for the environment that they're going out into". Norland nannies still wear the traditional Mary Poppin's style uniforms, brown felt hat and white gloves.

In addition to everyday skills such as first aid and fitting car seats, the nannies' three-year degree programme now includes lessons in self-defence and how to deal with potential kidnappers. Abigail Harris, a Norland student, said: "They [the children] are your number one priority and you have to know that you can protect them against anything. So it's really important to be able to do this - it's a really important skill."


YouTube link. Original BBC video.

College training for 21st Century childcare also includes driving on a skid pan at the Castle Combe Racing Circuit in Wiltshire. The class teaches students how to deal with icy roads and how to safely get away from pursing photographers trying to take pictures of the children in their care.