Hazel Robin's journey from the streets of China to the glamour of life as a nanny for the rich and powerful is a story almost as magical as that of Mary Poppins. Robin wasn't blown in by an east wind like the fantasy nanny in the books by Australian-British author P. L. Travers, but her life does have something of a fairy tale.
Hazel Robin's story
As a baby, Robin was abandoned by her parents on the streets of Tongling, in southern Anhui province. "I was probably given up for adoption because I was born during China's one-child policy, so I may have been a second child, or it may have been because I was female," Robin explained to Spotlight. "I would love to find my original parents, but the issue is that they didn't leave any note because abandoning me on the streets was illegal."
Robin was taken to an orphanage, where she spent the next five years. At the age of five, after a long legal battle, Robin was adopted by her Canadian mum and British dad.
Starving, badly bruised, with no education and unfamiliar with any routine, Robin at first fought a number of issues when she was brought to her new home in Brighton, UK. Thankfully, the stability of a loving family home provided her with a solid foundation.
Her parents went on to adopt another girl from China, as well as two younger children from Vietnam. As the eldest of four, Robin often helped her mum to look after her siblings, and she realized she had a "knack" for it. This, and her background, convinced her to choose a career educating children.
Her parents sent an entry form to Norland College in Bath, south-west England. This world-famous institute specializing in childcare is famous for its prestigious and thorough training of nannies and childcare professionals.
After graduating from Norland in 2013 with a BA Hons in early-years childcare, Robin knew she had found her career. "I love my job. I think nannying is all to do with your heart: your heart has to be in it and mine really is."
In 2015, Robin moved to Dubai to work as a nanny. She has worked with various families, travelling with them around the globe. "You get to see the world. You're with high-profile families, a lot of entrepreneurs and you really get to see how the other half lives."
Treated like royalty
As the cream of the crop among child carers, fully qualified Norland graduates are in demand. They can pick and choose a job with the titled and entitled, ranging from magnates to entrepreneurs to TV celebrities. "Last year, we had ten jobs for every Norlander seeking one through the Norland Agency - with an average starting salary of £40,000 rising to £65,000 after five years. Salaries of £100,000 plus are not uncommon for experienced Norlanders," a spokesperson told Spotlight.
Today, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo is undisputedly the most famous Norland nanny. Since 2014, Borrallo has been the "royal nanny", looking after Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Borrallo is easily recognized by her iconic Norlander uniform: a felt hat, gloves (white in summer and brown in winter), brown shoes, tights and a brown dress (or tweed jacket for the few male "mannies").
Norland College introduced the official uniform so that the nannies could be easily identified from other members of the household. It has become a status symbol and is easily recognizable. That's why those who wear the uniform must be careful of the image they project. Students are banned from smoking, buying alcohol, buying takeaway coffees or even going to fast-food outlets while in uniform.
The wards of Emily Ward
Norland college was founded in 1892 by Emily Ward. A pioneer in early-years education, Ward believed in affectionate and devoted care, looking after a child's well-being as well as its education and development. Her ideas were based on the principles of Friedrich Froebel, the German educationalist who founded the kindergarten system.
Modern-day Norlanders are famous for their comprehensive training, flexible approach and professionalism. The full-time four-year training combines theory and lots of hands-on, real-world experience for its two qualifications - the Norland BA (Hons) degree in early childhood education and care and the Norland diploma, which teaches the practical skills required to care for babies and young children. The academic courses include promoting child health and well-being, childhood psychology and neuroscience - to help students to make sense of children's behaviour and to recognize any possible learning or behavioural issues.
A 21st-century Emily
Another Norland graduate - called Emily, like the founder - works as a full-time nanny, using her training to help a three-year-old boy in London and his family through the child's autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. "With a wealth of knowledge behind me, I was able to support him. Not only as his nanny, but also as his one-to-one support worker in nursery. I worked hard, relying on my Norland training to empower him to regulate his emotions through emotion coaching, which enabled him to develop holistically and take part in more groups and activities outside of his tuition and home. It was amazing to see him flourish. I felt so proud when everyone began to see the fun, confident, cheeky and outgoing little boy who had become my best friend."
Norland students spend almost half of their time on placement in at least eight different early-years settings - including nurseries, schools, hospitals, special needs schools, experience with newborns, and as a daily and live-in nanny.
Once they have earned their degree, graduates must also complete a 12-month work placement in paid employment as a probationary nanny.
What it takes to be a Norlander
While Norlanders still wear a Victorian-style uniform, they also have to move with the times. Students attend self-defence classes and training in security and cybersecurity. They even learn from a stunt driver how to drive in difficult conditions, such as on icy roads and how to escape from the paparazzi or potential kidnappers.
"Norland Nannies need to be resilient, loving, kind, honest, creative, practical, responsible, organized and willing to continually learn and improve in order to do the very best for the families and young children with whom they work," Dr Janet Rose, the principal at Norland, told Spotlight. "They must be absolutely committed to being the person who changes the world through shaping the lives of the children with whom they work. All students and Norlanders must sign up to the Norland Code of Professional Responsibilities. The core standards of the code are the prioritization of children and their families, effective and safe practice, and the promotion of professionalism and trust."
In other words, from giving a relaxing baby massage to throwing a fun children's birthday party or teaching perfect manners, Norlanders have it covered. Just like Mary Poppins, a Norland Nanny has to be "practically perfect in every way".