Marysia, nanny in Leeds LS6

I am seeking a career change as jobs in journalism are very low on the ground at the moment.

I am looking to do nannying this year so I can freelance write at weekends (or whenever I get a few spare minutes!)

I have moved back home to Yorkshire after living in London for four years.

To fund my degree, I nannied for a brilliant family in Stoke Newington, who had three children aged 8-12. In turn, this job lead me to work with another family who they were friends with. I often had sole care of six children, the youngest of which was five years old.

I have worked as a Teaching Assistant for Reception, Year 1 and Year 3 and have a diploma in Art and Design from Leeds College of Art under my belt.

To answer questions that I believe you would want to know.

Why do I want this job? Because I love kids, creativity and laughter. Being a nanny allows you to experience all three in abundance!

Achievements I am most proud of?

I sold a painting once, when I took a diploma in Art and Design a few years back. A judge bought it - he thought the portrait looked like his parents! I'm not really the proudest person, I seem to take pride in other people to be honest, and get great pleasure from seeing folks I love do well! When I saw the girl I used to nanny win a prize at her school sport's day this year, I felt so thrilled.

Meals for kids?
I like to cook and can follow recipes. I'm a vegetarian but I would not be adverse to cooking meat. I'd take direction from yourselves as to whether your children like veggie stuff, or if they have any allergies. The important thing is balance, right? And I don't agree with Mary Poppins that a spoonful of sugar is acceptable...!
Again, I'd find out from you how many treats the kids can eat. Cooking from fresh is the way forward, and organic if possible. Plenty colourful fruit and vegetables! And protein!

It's pretty difficult to work out what activities I'd do with your children before meeting them, but I'm very keen on fresh air, creativity and being silly! The kids I used to look after (8 year old twins and an 11 year old) liked to go to the park, and I would read them stories (their favourite was David Walliams' kids books) and make weird stuff out of cardboard boxes. I wasn't too keen on them being on the computer because they'd get really antsy and worked up with too much screentime, but of course if they enjoy doing that and you're down with that too, I'm easy! I love anything creative: whether it's music, art, reading and - most crucially - learning in all its glorious aspects; encouraging kids to see the magic of the world!

What do I find most challenging about my work?
When I used to look after my previous family's kids, the oldest boy had autism and was prone to violent outbursts. I dealt with him in the calmest way possible, and it seemed to dispel his rage. He was a brilliant child despite his problems.

Why this job? I enjoy having kids around me, they seriously do say the funniest, enlightening things. Working as a nanny inspires my future children's-book-writing dreams and fuels my inner child which refuses to grow up. One of my favourite books is Antioine de saint-exupery's "the little prince".