Employ a Newly Qualified Nanny
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What is a Newly Qualified Nanny?
A Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN) is a nanny who has completed three full-time years of intensive early years training at Norland. They will have completed a BA in Early Years Development and Learning and the first three years of their Norland Diploma, including practical placements in various settings.
An NQN will now undertake their first full-time probationary nanny position employed by a family. The aim of which is to enable the NQN to gain confidence and experience as a full-time nanny whilst being supported by Norland and their employer.
The successful completion of the one-year NQN post is the final module of the Norland Diploma qualification, ensuring that qualified Norland Nannies are practitioners with both high level academic qualifications as well as extensive practical experience. All of our NQNs are qualified to work independently with children but have not yet achieved their Norland Diploma, which earns them the right to refer to themselves as a Norland Nanny or Norlander.
NQNs are paid a ‘newly qualified salary’ for a one-year fixed-term contract and will be expected to undertake all of the duties of a fully qualified Norland Nanny. Families will pay a reduced fixed Agency fee – 10% of the NQN’s gross annual salary plus VAT.
Read our guide to employing a Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN)
Important information if you are interested in employing an NQN
We are delighted you are interested in employing an NQN. Please take your time to consider whether this would be a suitable childcare option for your family’s needs and note the following important information:
- NQNs become available for interviews each year from the beginning of July until they are all successfully placed in an NQN role. Due to the high demand for NQNs, we are unable to guarantee that all registered families will be sent an NQN CV or will hire an NQN
- In order for a position to be suitable for an NQN placement, families must require a nanny for at least one child under four years 11 months old who is not attending either full-time nursery or school and have a minimum of 30 hours child contact time overall. The reason for this is so NQNs can have experience of planning for and documenting children’s development and learning using the Early Years Foundation Stage, which applies to children from birth to 4 years 11 months old and is part of the NQN unit assessment
- NQNs will be placed with a family working as a nanny on a one-year fixed term contract
- NQNs can work on a ‘residential’ or ‘daily’ basis, depending on the family needs. Nanny shares cannot be considered for an NQN position
- NQNs are required to work a minimum of 45 hours each week with a maximum of 50 hours for a daily nanny or 60 hours for a residential nanny. Occasional additional hours (such as babysitting) may be negotiated directly with the NQN outside of the contract and will need to be paid the agreed over-time rate
- Nanny shares, rota positions and positions where there is a team of nannies cannot be considered for the NQN process
- NQNs are required to receive two consecutive days off per week
- NQN salaries will be prorated according to contracted hours
- NQNs are required to work in England and Wales, and we cannot therefore register overseas positions for NQNs
- Norland requires NQNs to complete compulsory documentation such as a nanny diary, learning journals, weekly plans and menu plans throughout the year
- Families will be asked to support the NQN throughout the year in what will be their first full-time post as a nanny and allow an NQN Consultant from Norland to visit the NQN in their post at least once during the tenure
- Families will be expected to complete appraisals with their NQN at four, eight and 12 months, reminders and templates will be provided
- A dedicated NQN team at Norland will support both the NQNs and the families throughout the year with an assessment visit to the family home and regular phone and email contact. This will include an email progress check with the families at around one and 10 months
- At the end of the NQN year, the family and the NQN can discuss renewing the contract and moving onto a fully qualified Norland Nanny contract. Norland Agency will be available to provide support, including providing a draft contract
Availability of Newly Qualified Nannies
Each new set of Newly Qualified Nannies (NQNs) will be able to start applying for positions from the end of June each year. However, we will continue to take applications throughout the year until all NQNs are placed. Please contact the NQN team throughout the year to enquire about the remaining availability of NQNs.
Further information about employing an NQN
NQN salaries and fees
View salaries and fees for Norland Nannies and Newly Qualified Nannies.
View salariesClient Agency and NQN terms and conditions
Read our terms and conditions for Newly Qualified Nanny clients.
Read NQN TermsGuide to employing an NQN
Read our guide to employing a Newly Qualified Nanny.
Read our guide to employing a Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN)Meet the Newly Qualified Nanny team
NQN duties and responsibilities
As well as providing for the physical and educational needs of the child, NQNs are responsible for all nursery duties, such as cooking, cleaning and laundry for the child. However, this is at the discretion of the employer and can be fully or partially completed by other members of staff within the household. Typical duties include:
- physical care of the child
- supporting and providing activities for the holistic development of the child
- communicating with parents on all aspects of the care of the child
- completing nanny documentation in order to keep parents informed about their child’s care, wellbeing and development (the documentation required for the NQN position is a nanny diary, a learning journal for each child, a weekly menu plan and a weekly plan of activities)
- providing well-balanced and nutritious meals appropriate to the needs of the child
- taking the child to playgroup/nursery/school
- taking the child on outings appropriate to their age and stage of development
- taking the child on play dates or arranging these in the family home (prior approval from the employer must be sought)
- preparing for special occasions, such as birthday parties
- caring for the child when they are unwell, which may include administering medicine and taking them to the doctor if necessary and with the consent of parents
- travelling with the child and preparing for holidays, weekend visits, etc.
- cleaning and tidying the nursery, bedroom, playroom and other areas as agreed with parents
- cleaning, laundering and mending the child’s clothes and toys
- being responsible for all equipment related to the care of the child, including the cleaning and maintenance of items such as sterilisers, buggies, car seats, etc.
- taking responsibility for the nanny purse and making sound judgements when purchasing items from the nanny purse, as well as obtaining a receipt and providing a fully detailed list of weekly expenses
- cleaning and tidying the accommodation provided for the nanny
If you wish for your NQN to complete any other duties not included in the points above, it is recommended that you discuss these duties together and mutually agree when and how these will be completed.
This is not an exhaustive list but generally NQNs are not expected to:
- Cook and clean for the whole family. If the children are away from the family home, the nanny should not be expected to cook for the family instead.
- Exercise, feed, bath or oversee any health care of pets unless otherwise agreed.
- Use their own personal money for any nursery expenses.
- Maintain the nanny car, including servicing, tax and insurance.
- Clean the family home as a whole in addition to the agreed nursery duties.
- Run errands for the adults within the family (e.g. dry cleaning, collect prescriptions, etc.) unless mutually agreed.
Read testimonials from our NQNs
