Training and funding are top of the agenda for National Day Nurseries Association chief executive Rosemary Murphy OBE as she describes a typical working week
Monday
I return to work after a busy but pleasurable weekend - including catching up with my three children, who were home from university, and presenting awards at Child Base's annual dinner. I also arranged a history tutor for my youngest daughter who is taking her AS level this summer.
Training is also on the agenda this morning. I talk through plans to develop our training programme with Lynette Lee, training development manager, and we shortlist applicants for the new role of training manager. That completed, I spend time discussing the agenda for NDNA's annual conference in May and review a special Ofsted newsletter for nurseries, funded by the Sure Start Unit.
I lock myself away for the afternoon with board papers and budgets, preparing for tomorrow's NDNA board of trustees meeting.
Tuesday
NDNA is based in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, so I spend a lot of time travelling. Today I'm off to Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire with some of the senior team for the board meeting. NDNA has 12 trustees who voluntarily give up their time. The meeting focuses on accounts and the budgets for 2003/2004. The board hears a progress report on NDNA's regional early years centres and approves the loan agreement with the Allied Irish Bank.
Wednesday
I have an early start as I catch a London train for a day of meetings. First stop is for an interview with Nursery World editor Liz Roberts about the Academy of Early Years Professionals that NDNA is launching in September. We discuss how it will give support and credit for achievement to all early years professionals, and the huge potential the passport will have for nannies and other unregulated workers.
Next I'm off to meet Cathy Ashton, minister for Sure Start. She has invited me to bring representatives from NDNA's large providers forum to discuss the future development of new places. It's a productive meeting with a real opportunity to explore how providers can support government initiatives and invest in new provision.
I then grab some time with Department for Education and Skills officials to discuss extended schools issues raised by NDNA members before heading home.
Thursday
Another early rise as NDNA's project manager for regional early years centres Patricia Jackson and I head to Grantham, the planned site for our Eastern regional centre. It is next to a school and we're working closely with the local Sure Start programme. Other members of NDNA's regional centres task group join us and we have a positive meeting with the local authority chief executive and key people in the EYDCP.
We then meet the architect and quantity surveyor to finalise building plans. In 24 hours I've gone from meeting a government minister to discussing the height of skirting boards.
Friday
My week ends back in the office with a pile of paperwork. We're finalising the details of our strategic funding contracts with the Sure Start Unit. Much of this work focuses on training and we're looking forward to the projects coming to life. I'm particularly pleased that the Sure Start Unit is supporting a programme of seminars on the children's centres philosophy, looking at how all nurseries can be involved. This is one of the key messages of NDNA's campaign on socially responsible childcare - how day nurseries can bring integrated childcare and family support to the mainstream.
I then have a final look through my diary at next week's appointments and check my e-mails have been answered before going home with a briefcase full of drafts for member briefing papers and the response to the Inland Revenue consultation on 'Employer Support for Childcare'.
My thoughts turn to shopping lists and the cleaning that needs doing before my parents visit.
