Deborah, nanny in Sutton coldfield

Hello my name is Deborah and I am 43 years old.

I have over 30 years experience in child care mainly with family and friends children.

Sadly, I have been unable to have my own children, but luckily I have been blessed with three nieces (and one on the way) and six nephews. My youngest niece called Chloe who is 2 months old and my eldest nephew is now 16.

I have always loved children and from a very young age used to help my aunts and uncles with my younger cousins as I was the eldest child in the family.

I used to babysit all of my cousins and also babysit for all of the neighbours kids on our small estate where I still live.

When I was 17 I moved to Holland for 12 months to gain experience as an Au Pair. I chose to come home as I got home sick, but could have travelled the World. I feel sad that I did not pursue my love of children as a career.

I have always been a very homely and family orientated girl. I am at my happiest spending time with my family in particular my nieces and nephews.

I am closest to my Sister's daughter Isabelle who is 21 months old. We waited a long time for her as my sister also had fertility issues.

My favourite past time is taking Isabelle to the Beacon Park in Lichfield and playing with her blocks building castles.

I think it is really important to talk to children and explain everything that you do with them as this really helps with their development. Even down to changing a nappy I talk Isabelle through each step of what I am doing so nothing comes as a shock and she knows exactly what is going to happen next.

I think routines are important. It helps with development and makes the child feel more safe, secure and settled.

I have no qualifications in childcare, but think that good old fashioned experience out weighs any qualification.

Children naturally warm to me, because I am calm, fun, confident and I look a bit like Mrs Christmas minus the grey hair.

Books are a big favourite of mine and I encourage all of my nephews and nieces to read to me and I read to them. Isabelle loves it when I ask her to tell me what she can see.

I am best known for my box of delights, which is full of different coloured paper and card, stickers, glue, plastic scissors, crayons etc. I make weekly visits to Poundland to keep my box of delights exciting. Even the older kids drop their xbox pads when I walk through the door and sit with me and the younger kids to create a piece of art.

I am currently working in customer services, but desperate to work full-time with children.