Bath's Norland Nannies get skid pan training

Their profession is better associated with child development and food nutrition but a new generation of nannies from Bath are being trained in advance driving skills and self-defence.

Norland Nanny College is now including the two areas of expertise as part of its degree course to help its trainees prepare for high-profile clients such as royalty or celebrities where children in their care might be the focus of unwanted attention.

Gradates at Diploma Day at Norland. Picture Norland

Norland College was established over 120 years ago and is seen as the gold-standard for training childcare professionals but the college is modernising and changing its focus to offer its students a choice of careers in childcare - from nannying to nursery management, maternity nursing or starting a related business.

Claire Burgess, Norland graduate and now lecturer at the college, said: "Norland has got to be modern and got to meet the needs of all our families and children. Although we have still got the traditional uniform, Norland is actually looking at the twenty-first century and what's needed by the families that employ us as their nannies."