A weekly feature on the lives and loves of people from our city.

My day: I wake up about 6.30am and make packed lunches for everyone before having a quick shower, getting dressed and eating breakfast. On some days I walk my parents’ dog.

We leave home at 8am, drop girls off at school and then head to pre-school for 8.30am. I greet the other members of staff quickly and get all my personal possessions put away from little hands. I help finish setting up, as another member of staff arrives at 8am to set the hall up before I get in.

It is not long before the first child arrives, and not much longer before the village hall is filled with lots of lively children. Once parents have left we settle down to our day which is action packed. I spend as much time with the children as I can whilst still trying to keep on top of all the paperwork required to keep an efficient pre-school running. All the staff interact with the children during the day, we plan activities to extend the children’s learning, based on their interests, and make sure they still have time to play on their own with their peers without an adult doing anything but observing.

Snack time is busy with washing hands, pouring, cutting, dealing with spillages and trying to ensure that we encourage all the children to try different healthy foods. Lunch time much the same, apart from I also have to find five minutes to eat my lunch!

When I finish at pre-school, I turn back into mum ensuring I am home to spend some quality time with my girls, cook them tea, and help them with their homework, before we go to gymnastics, swimming, Guides, school meetings, visiting friends or anything else that happens during the course of the school week.

I try and get my youngest into bed around 9pm and then I usually spend some quality ‘me-time’ with the iron, the computer doing more paperwork or clearing up the kitchen! I flop into bed when my feet will no longer carry me.

Dress: Looking after pre-school children means you have to wear practical clothes as there is lots of bending and kneeling, plus lots of mess so no point in wearing anything that is not easy to wash! We wear a pre-school sky blue polo shirt which is practical but also means the children can easily spot us and parents too.

What is the favourite part of your job? Playing with the children.

What is your least favourite part of your job? The huge amount of paperwork.

What would be your dream job if you weren't doing what you do now? Working with children is all I have ever wanted to do. I suppose working in a safari park or zoo would be my next choice.

How do you relax when you are not working? I love spending time with my family, cycling, walking the dog, gardening, card making, going to the beach, walking, reading and going away in my parents’ camper van with my husband and daughters.

What is your favourite film? Mamma Mia.

What is your favourite book? I love reading – my favourite author is Rebecca Shaw.

What is your favourite song? Bon Jovi, Living on A Prayer.

If a film was made of your life who would you like to play you? Julia Roberts.

Have you had your 15 minutes of fame? No.

FACT FILE:

Name: Deborah Sargeant.

Job: Manager of Little Budworth Pre-school

Lives now: Hartford

Education: I did my foundation degree, BA in early years management and early years professional status at Edge Hill  University.

Family life: Married to Mark. We have two beautiful daughters, Jade and Nicole.

We want to hear from people from all walks of life – to take part, email jo.henwood@trinitymirror.com or fill out the form below:

We're testing a new site: This content is coming soon

Last week's Day in the Life: Lara Portice, production assistant with Chester Performs