Barbara Brookes, children's centre manager, North Tees Primary Care Trust

Employer: North Tees Primary Care Trust
Age: 53
Time in job: Three months
Salary: £40,000

When a Sure Start centre opened in Stockton in 2001, Barbara Brookes immediately applied and got a job as the local programme manager. She stayed three and a half years before moving to develop the last of the area's Sure Start bases - now called a children's centre - in Billingham. And, in August this year, she moved to become an area children's centre manager. She is now responsible for supporting thousands of children and parents in Stockton, at five different buildings.

"I started out as a nurse before working for 20 years as a health visitor. I was passionate about community development and have always been interested in public health. So when Sure Start came along it was a dream come true. To have these resources and buildings in areas like this is amazing."

She says her aim is simple - to improve outcomes for children. Much of her job involves partnership working and integrating different professions. Outreach is key to what children's centres do. "It's about knowing your area, knowing who is your priority and who the excluded families are. Traditionally the families that need our services most may be the ones who are reluctant to access them."

Her job is split 50-50 between the office and being out and about. She works mainly regular office hours but is flexible for evening meetings.

So what does she enjoy most? "Seeing that we are making a difference. We are improving outcomes for children and particularly the most vulnerable ones, which is brilliant." The downside is the amount of email she has to deal with, she says. "For a people-person like me, the amount of desk work can be a challenge," she says.

Brookes recommends that people wanting to work in the early years sector should gain a qualification and also undertake some volunteering first. "Some qualifications in early years will help, which you can use as your framework for practice. And children's centres can offer a wide range of experience for volunteering."

There are many routes into this field, she argues, listing social work, social care, education, health and early years as the most common.

My day

8.30: Arrive at the office for a meeting with the early years team leader

10.00: Meeting with the customer care team

11.15: Leave the office to go and meet staff and parents at a children's centre

13.45: Meeting with the integrated service manager

15.00: Meeting with health visitors

16.00: Meeting with the whole team

17.00: Deal with paperwork before leaving the office.