Meet BAHS Team Member Emma Hopkinson
Talent Acquisition & Middle East Recruiter
Nationality: British
Current place of residence: Dubai, UAE
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a town called Northampton in England.
Describe your childhood in 3 words.
Loving, safe, and happy.
When you were a child, what did you dream of growing up to be?
I always wanted to work with children, even from a very young age. So, training as a nanny seemed the obvious choice.
What are you proudest of?
It has to be creating my own family. I am so proud of each of my children and the young people they are becoming. Watching them grow and begin to achieve their own goals is such a rewarding journey.
If you could give your 18-year-old self some words of wisdom, what would they be?
To have more belief and confidence in myself, and that I don’t need to please everyone.
What do you love about your job?
I love that no two days are ever the same and the flexibility it allows as a mother.
What do you do in times of stress?
I find going to the gym or for a walk always helps.
You’re a mother – do you have any advice for new parents?
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; what works for some, doesn’t necessarily work for others. Make sure you just take one day at a time and ensure you ask family or friends for help.
Where is your happy place?
With my family, my eldest son is away at college now and when he came home for Christmas it made it all the more special that we were together.
What’s your idea of the perfect evening?
Going out for dinner with my husband to one of our favourite restaurants.
Where is your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
I have been so lucky to have visited some wonderful countries, I can’t choose just one! My top five have to be South Africa, Brazil, Maldives, Thailand, and Italy.
Emma, what inspired you to become a Norland Nanny?
What inspired me to become a Norland Nanny was the opportunity to train at such a prestigious college. When I was at Norland, the college was based in Denford Park, in a small village called Hungerford, Berkshire. We had daycare units onsite where we cared for children up to school age, we even had a Children’s Hotel.
Can you share a memorable experience from your time as a Norland Nanny?
During my time in the Children’s Hotel, I was responsible for 8-month-old twins. I had sole charge of them for nearly a week, 20-hours a day including overnight. It was a wonderful experience and made me even more excited to complete my training and begin my career.
What qualities do you look for in a nanny during the recruitment process?
Someone who is enthusiastic about their career and genuinely loves working with children. I love to see a candidate’s face light up when discussing their previous experiences and how they’re wanting to further progress in their role.
What advice would you give to aspiring nannies looking to make a strong impression during recruitment?
Be prepared and always dress professionally, first impressions are so important.
If you’d like to learn more about Emma, you can find our bio here. You can also find more Q&As with our team here.