Taking the lead

With the national childcare strategy changing all the time, no two days are the same for Eve Stickler. She describes a hectic week in her job as lead officer of Enfield Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, London.

Monday

Up early - about 6am as James (my eldest son, aged six) is joyfully singing the theme tune for 'Batman' at the top of his voice. Frank (youngest son - aged two) is soon awake, too. The national childcare strategy is a 24-hour preoccupation for me - at work I do the theory and at home I do the practical.

My childminder is on holiday today so my partner will do the home shift, as I have to go on a training course. This is a management-training programme facilitated by the Office for Public Management. Twelve senior managers from across the council are attending and it is extremely interesting talking with colleagues from other areas. During lunchtime talk on the phone to Frank about the poo he has done in his new pants - we are all potty training! At 5.15pm race back to the office, ring parents who want to talk to me about three-year-olds and funding for pre-schools and catch up on returns due to be submitted to the DfES. Do the homework given out on the training programme. Leave at 7.30pm.

Tuesday