Teenager becomes first male undergraduate at prestigious 'Mary Poppins' nanny college - It's normally only women who are trained in the art of turning curtains into costumes and become a dab hand at changing nappies at a world-famous nanny college. But now one male teenager is set to be the first-ever man to pass through the education degree course that turns out the modern Mary Poppins. Now Michael Kenny is hoping to become practically perfect in every way while he attends Norland College, in Bath.
Student Michael Kenny, 18, is the only male in a classroom full of 48 women studying at the college - but it takes more than a spoonful of sugar to pass the demanding course. Michael, who has had to endure lots of jokes from his friends, admitted he initially wasn’t even sure if the college in Bath, Somerset, took on male students. He had to ring the college to check - because he had only ever seen female students around the city. Now while his female counterparts wear the classic cream dress and brown hat, he will don a tweed jacket, cream shirt, matching tie and beige trousers for his studies. But he says instead of feeling out of the loop he has been warmly welcomed by all of the female students. Michael said: 'Funnily enough they have just been caring more about how I have been feeling, making sure I am OK.' Michael says he was drawn to the job because he has spent time teaching English and maths to severely disabled children in an Ugandan orphanage. He said: 'I wanted to work with children because I can understand young people a lot better - I find them a lot easier to get on with. 'I think I would like to be a nanny for a few years, because it is the whole reason you go through the training. 'But then after that I would like to do a PGCE and become a nursery teacher or work in a prep school.'
Michael, whose parents Simon and Mary, sister Alice, 17, and brother John, 12, live in Uganda, will be only the second male in the college’s 120-year history to graduate with the Norland Diploma. Norland College principal Liz Hunt welcomed Michael to the fold and said her supercallifragilisticexpialidocious students were more in demand than ever before. She claimed every graduate will have a job offer sourced by the college’s in-house nanny agency so they are ready to start straight after finishing their studies. Mrs Hunt said: 'We always have more job opportunities than we have students, the demand certainly outstrips supply. 'The modern-day Norland graduate also goes on to work in a wide range of careers such as management of nurseries or primary school teaching.' Peter Cummins was the first 'manny' to study at the world-famous Norland College for nannies. He was the only male among his class of 21 girls to take the three year Diploma course and passed 'with merit'. Peter, 22, from Dyfed, Wales, said at the time: 'I don't see any problem. My careers adviser hinted that it was very female-dominated, but I took no notice. 'Being male has never been an issue with either of the parents that I've been with.' BA Honours degree course students pay £13,710-a-year for the first 24 months followed by two years at £4,120-a-year which includes probationary working 'on the job' with a family. But a fully qualified Norland Nanny will earn at least £26,800-a-year living in - while a live out nanny would expect a salary of around £34,500 per annum.
Norland College, in Bath, Somerset - motto 'Love Never Faileth' - has trained more than 7,000 nannies since it was founded in 1892 by Emily Ward. It was originally named the Training School for Ladies as Children's Nurses, but it quickly became known as Norland Institute because of its location on Norland Place in London, before relocating to Bath in 2003. Emily Ward introduced a uniform so Norland graduates needed to be recognised as professionals and not mistaken for housemaids and it is still a strong part of the college's tradition.
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16 comments:
You do not want to be a nursey teacher, stick with being a nanny or 'manny' trust me. Some nusery school ratios are 10 to 1 or would you rather have 1-3 kids at the same or better pay. Not to mention changing a lot of diapers or potty training with nursery school ages 2-4 years. BTW, I have never seen a dude working in a nursery or daycare with toddlers and being allowed to change diapers or potty train. Just wondering if anyone else has? I have seen them work with schoolers. I would not rule out teaching prekindergarten. I enjoyed it better than the daycare 2 and 3 year old classes.
Why not, good for him. I watch Beverly Hills Nannies and the mannies on there seem pretty cool but then again it is reality tv Lol.
Judy, are you thinking of the typical American daycare? Because this took place in England and it is my understanding that nursery school is a lot more esteemed there. I went to an English nursery when I was 3 years old and it was basically a Pre-K class through the public schools. Also, my cousin is a nursery director and she makes bank, which implies to me they probably pay their teachers better then Americans do.
Forgot to say: good job! I think Michael is awesome and it sounds like his family is pretty cool too.
Good for him!
I hope everything works out for him and he gets a nice job.
I wonder if English parents are as picky aout hiring a male over a female?
I always liked having male teachers when I taught preschool.
They were great for the rough and tough kids.
Good for him!
Ms Judy, I have worked in a preschool (ages 3-5) and my assistant was male. He went through the same background check and fingerprinting process that the females did and once the state deemed him all clear, he was expected to perform the same tasks that all the teachers at the school were expected to do. And yes, that included assisting with potty use as needed. Nothing inappropriate ever took place. He was just another teacher in the school and the kids absolutely loved him. He is now a head teacher at the same preschool and has completed his Master's in Early Childhood.
Good for Michael! I wish him the best.
There is no way to know that nothing inaproppriate took place. Tom used to molest the kids in the time it took for them to go potty.
You guys are ridiculous to assume all male caregivers are molesters.
Who said that, Brooklyn? Nobody. But there is no way you can confidently say that nothing inappropriate ever happened. Its not like someone would be molesting kids infront of your face. So to say nothing ever happened, well you don't know that.
I've worked alongside many male teachers- best count would be about 10 Several of these men taught worked with toddlers in diapers.. It's so important for children to have nurturing and engaged men in their lives . Two of these men were accused of sexual abuse (totally unfounded) and many instances of parents who were suspicious and / or asked that their child not be in contact with male teachers. Fear of discrimination and false accusations is very real in the preschool world.
It's baffling to me. Do any of you read the Daily Mail? The Brits love to feature all of our teachers who have been convicted of sexual abuse. Have you noticed how more and more of them are women? It's just plain false to assume that men who enjoy working with children are automatically a potential predator.
Yes male teachers can molest children. But all? Then what about make doctors. Do they all molest women/children when they are alone with the client? Some of you guys on isyn appear to see the world in terms of all or nothing. Yes some male care providers have molested children. But to say all will/do? That's reaching!
I've been molested by two doctors. While the nurse was IN the same room. It definately happens. As a result, I stick to females only. Men are men before they are anything else & some are just plain sick. The first one who molested me had several complaints for the same thing & nothing was done. As of four years after the molestation, he was still working at the same location & molesting & collecting complaints. Sick.
PS: Who said all men molest??????? Nobody.
Nobody said all will/do. You're reaching.
If a person wants to be a nanny or manny it is fine with me. I have no problem with it.
In my earlier post when I was comparing the pros of being a nanny or manny compared to working in nursery school/daycare, I had mentioned never seeing a male caregiver working with toddlers or changing diapers nor potty training. I have worked at various childcare centers over the years (infant-pre-k) and I personally have never seen it and I was wondering if anyone else had.
After reading the diff. responses, I now know that some people have seen or worked with male caregivers and have nothing but good things to say. And, I respect the others that did not have a positive experience and their point of view.
@MissMannh, sorry yes I was talking about American daycare. I'm sure you're right about England nursey schools being more esteemed there.
Let me tell you....this course is no walk in the park. I admire anyone who signs up for the Norland College, especially a lonesome man. I attended Norland 22 years ago and it was the hardest working 2 years of my life....and now they offer a 4 year course....I can only imagine. As long as you have the drive and passion to work with children, like any job, it shouldn't matter what sex you are.
And as for comments about the differences between England and here in the states....Nannies are regarded with much more respect in England, it's a career and it's recognized. I am still a nanny today (part time) and I find it incredibly annoying to be called a babysitter after the training that I have been through.
I have a blog called TEXTILE TROLLEY and have posts on Norland if you are interested in reading about what it was like to attend the College. :o)
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