My early working life was as far removed from children and childcare as you can get! I sailed through High School in the top stream, gained a clutch of 'O' Levels, went on to gain a couple of 'A' Levels and then finally a University Degree. When I was in my early 20s, I moved from Stoke to the bright lights (and improved salary) of London and worked for large national companies which included Rank PLC, Stakis Hotels PLC and Grosvenor Clubs Ltd, where I met high profile customers such as Diana Ross, the Sultan of Brunei, LaToya Jackson, the Kuwaiti Royal Family, Johnny Mathis and even Benny from "Crossroads"(!)

So, you can imagine that I hit Earth and reality with a huge bump after I had my eldest son Matthew in 1998. I knew nothing about babies, so I was on a steep learning curve there, but the hardest thing for me was that I was grounded. My husband was self-employed and often worked a 7-day week. I was living in Central London and had no family nearby and I found myself becoming quite isolated. Then, a neighbour invited us to go with her to an "Ealing 1-3-5 Group" Mums and Toddlers session in a local church hall. Matt and I went along and really enjoyed our time there. However, the toddler group was under threat of closure, and as it really was a lifeline for me, I volunteered to take it on, with the help of a couple of my new friends. I also took on the voluntary role of Area Representative for the Ealing 1-3-5 group for Acton (attending committee meetings, organising coffee mornings, distributing the bi-monthly magazine and, most importantly, canvassing the Treasurer for funds for a shed and toys for the toddler group!). And, as the "Action, Songs and Rhymes" co-ordinator, I ran a toddlers singing group and also provided entertainment at 1-3-5 toddler's birthday parties, the proceeds of which all went to charity.The beauty of all of this was that I could do all these things and take Matthew with me. 

I reluctantly stood down from my roles and responsibilities with the Ealing 1-3-5 group when I had my twin boys, Louie and Luke, in September 2001, and this time, I really was grounded. Then in 2004, (just to bury myself completely!) - I had my twin daughters, Leah and Naomi.

Caring for multiples is such a massive juggling act, that I didn't resurface again until 2008, when my daughters started school. By this time, I had moved out of the frenetic atmosphere of London to the calm and peaceful village life of Endon in Staffordshire. It was time to claw some of my life back, it was time to go back to work, and re-join the human race. But what could I do? I had been out of the work-place for over 10 years. I had a degree, but no post-graduate qualifications, all my connections were hundreds of miles away, and my skills were out of date. But more importantly, what about the children? They might have started school, but they hadn't gone away - Who would cook tea? 

Naturally, I began to look at the childcare options, and the more I considered my career options, the more I liked the idea of combining my mothering skills with my Ealing 1-3-5 experiences and my academic abilities, and decided to study and train for childcare qualifications and work professionally with children. I am currently studying for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Play and Playwork with the University of Gloucester and hope to progress to the MA in due course.

I took over as the registered provider at Endon Fun Club in 2009, which means that I am ultimately responsible for the welfare of the children who come before and after school and during the school holidays. I take this responsibility very seriously, which is why I work daily in the setting with the staff and the children. The great thing for me is that my own children can come along, although I still have to juggle my childcare arrangements too, and they sometimes sleepover at their Grandma's!