I left school at the age of 16 with no O levels and four CSEs. I now manage 21 staff and am responsible for the welfare of 72 children.

When I was younger I used to do babysitting for family and friends and knew as soon as I left school that I wanted to work with children.

I signed up for a Youth Training Scheme as an unqualified nursery nurse in the Military College at Shrivenham. It was only a year's placement but I didn't want to leave because I enjoyed it so much.

I then went on to be a nanny for three different families in Swindon. This was enjoyable in a different way I was in sole charge of the children and thrived on the responsibility. I met up with a circle of other nannies in the area and we socialised regularly.

When I got married I wanted a job with more regular hours which didn't involve working weekends. So I joined Jigsaw Nursery at Windmill Hill. That was eight and a half years ago and it was the first Jigsaw in the country.

We were caring for children who were out of their home environment so we had to offer them a secure and stimulating place where they could be happy.

I decided to study for my NVQ Levels 2 and 3 while I was working. There was a lot of practical assessment and I had to complete a portfolio to demonstrate my knowledge of child development.

The NVQs involve all sorts of topics including first aid, physical and intellectual development of children, and child protection. I had to go out and research information, and it took me two years to complete them.

Now at Jigsaw all our unqualified nursery nurses are called modern apprentices and train for NVQ levels two and three in early years care and education.

You can take NVQs with you anywhere they allow you to work as a childminder, in schools, maternity hospitals and so on.

I then joined the new Jigsaw Nursery at Broome Manor five and a half years ago as a senior nursery nurse. As a senior you manage a team and specific area, but after a while I realised I wanted more responsibility.

In 1998 I successfully applied for the job of deputy nursery manager and then became acting manager for a while.

And in October 1999, just before I took my maternity leave, I was offered the permanent position of nursery manager.

One of the benefits of the job is that I can bring my baby girl Niamh with me. I can do my work and keep an eye on her at the same time while she plays in the nursery. I have to pay nursery fees but as a member of staff I am entitled to a discount and I don't have to worry about finding childcare for her.

As manager I have to manage the operations of the nursery, manage the staff, build up a relationship with all the parents and do the marketing for the nursery.

I really enjoy it. It's a challenge and hard work, but no two days are ever the same. There is a lot of job satisfaction you are helping to care for and develop the adults of the future.

At the moment we are looking to recruit two or three modern apprentices but it's difficult. We need people who can communicate well with adults and children and are motivated and committed.

But in Swindon the unemployment level is very low and childcare is not considered as a profession.

It is up to us as childcare workers to up the image and demonstrate we are professionals.

When people ask me what I do and I say I'm a nursery manager it frustrates me when they just say: "Oh, yes." They don't realise the skills involved.