Childcare was not my chosen career but I fell in love with working with children under 5. I have worked hard as a volunteer on the fundraising committee, worked one to one with children with Special Needs, undertaken qualification training to Level 3 and done hundreds of short courses. Child Development was an eye-opener, it explained so much, if only I had done it earlier. Our Pre-school is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and I joined the local Branch committee so that I could hear about what was going in the world of childcare and to have a say in what was happening. I then joined the County committee and got to petition the County Council in our bid to stop the change from three term entry to two term entry, that was a bit scary. I took on the role of honorary treasurer and got to sign the cheques! Taking it a step further I became the National Council Representative for Hertfordshire and regularly meet up with the Pre-school Learning Alliance Charity Directors, National Executives and other National Council representatives from all over the country to develop and oversee the implementation of the Charity's Strategic Plan amongst other things.

My husband and children have been very supportive to me during my time at Tiny Hands, wading through the paperwork that seems to be everywhere at home, helping me to "cut out" templates for the easels/craft activities, not moaning about the housework that gets left etc. It has become a way of life that I love (even if I have a moan now and again). I have made so many friends both staff and Mums, I get to say hello to so many children (that grow up too quick) whenever I go shopping at Sainsburys or walk round the town. Now those children are bringing their children to pre-school. Now I know I am getting old.