About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
The National Nursery Examination Board Certificate is the Gold Standard Childcare & Education Qualification in the United Kingdom.
We are a community, a support and training network.
What does the term OC mean? Old Collegians refers to former students of various colleges.
The NNEB was taught at various state and private colleges around the UK and some countries overseas.
NNEB’s origins can be traced back to the 1940s when Bessie Wright helped form the NNEB in the United Kingdom.
Our Story
For more than 80 years, NNEB-qualified childcare professionals have played a respected and influential role in the care, education, and development of children throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.
NNEB professionals have long been trusted within private households, royal households, and fully staffed family residences as Nannies and Maternity Nurses, supporting families to the highest professional standards. Many have also worked extensively within hospitals, maternity and paediatric departments, schools, private and local authority day nurseries, community childcare and family support services, colleges, and universities.
Beyond frontline childcare, NNEB professionals have contributed significantly to the advancement of the childcare and education sector itself — working as lecturers, assessors, tutors, mentors, and trainers responsible for educating and supporting future generations of childcare professionals.
Many NNEB-qualified professionals have also established highly respected childminding and home-based childcare services, bringing exceptional standards of professional care into communities across the UK.
An NNEB qualification has historically opened the door to a diverse and highly respected career pathway within childcare, education, family support, and newborn care.
It is highly likely that, at some point in your family’s history, an NNEB professional helped care for, educate, support, or nurture either you or someone within your family.
NNEB professionals have made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of children and families for generations, both within the UK and internationally.
The National Nursery Examination Board Old Collegians (NNEB OC) exists to celebrate, support, connect, and uphold the legacy and professional standards of those who achieved an NNEB qualification.
We welcome all NNEB Old Collegians, alongside experienced childcare and education professionals who hold relevant recognised qualifications. Members join the NNEB OC community for professional networking, career opportunities, industry support, events, placements, and continuing professional development.
The NNEB OC also supports families, employers, family offices, and organisations seeking to engage experienced childcare and education professionals through our professional recruitment vetting and advisory services. These services are particularly suited to private households, busy professionals, and employers who require support sourcing suitably experienced and appropriately qualified candidates.
In addition, businesses and organisations connected to childcare, education, family services, or professional development may advertise through the NNEB OC platform. Bespoke business features, professional advertising opportunities, newsletter inclusion, and social media promotion packages are available upon request.
The NNEB OC is proudly led by passionate NNEB Old Collegians who remain committed to preserving professional standards, supporting fellow professionals, and championing excellence in childcare and education.