AT SCHOOL Suzanne Walsh never thought of childcare as a possible career option for herself. Even today, as a busy social care worker at the Waterford Child Care Centre, she seems mystified at the idea that she didn't know how her interest in people would eventually become her career.

When she was young she played outside with the little boy who lived next door. "He was my friend," she says, her eyes opening wide in amazement at the folly of some people. "I didn't think of him as someone who had a learning disability." She grew up on the Cork Road in Waterford city where her interest in helping and working with others took root. "I would consider that a carer's nature has to come from somewhere," she explains. "There was always a key in the front door at home. . . And I suppose I was reared in a family which was a very extended one. Whatever time it was there was always some neighbour calling in.

While she was a secondary-school student, Walsh worked as a volunteer with the Sisters of Charity. One or two nights a week, after finishing her homework, she used to head out to work with adults who had learning disabilities. "It was about befriending a person with a learning disability. You gave them a hand with skills, like going out to buy something in a shop.

Today Walsh is manager of the Waterford Child Care Centre which provides a resource for working parents. The centre, which opened in May two years ago, is based in the city's industrial estate. It is the first centre of its kind in the country where "there's a focus on the child's development," she says.

With 70 children on its books, there can be up to 50 children at the centre at any one time. The centre runs a number of activities, which include arts and crafts classes and drama and music sessions.

After finishing her Leaving Cert at the Mercy Convent Secondary School, Walsh did a secretarial/computer course. She then worked in a number of different companies in Waterford city. "When I, left school I ended up doing administration for about five years. I drifted into office work.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as childcare until I went to work in the administration side of Mayfield." This was a residential home for young people. Walsh worked here from 1985 for a number of years. Gradually she began to get involved with the children. She used take them to the doctor and go on holidays with them.

"I was having a lot of contact with them," she says. "Quite often I'd put my own work on the long finger and just go off with them. I used to take them home for Christmas. . . More and more I started thinking that this (administration work) is not what I want to do." As a result of this growing involvement, Walsh decided, in 1989, to study for an ab initio diploma in social care at Waterford Regional Technical College. It was the last year the course was available to students on a part-time basis. She graduated in 1991 with a distinction. Walsh is currently studying for her degree.

From 1989, in order to help pay for her fees Walsh worked at the weekends at Grace park Training Centre for Girls, a residential home for young people with behavioural problems.

While she studied she was later employed as a house co-ordinator in a job which involved looking after many of the young people she had got to know at Mayfield Residential Home. They all lived together in an ordinary house in an established housing estate.

"It just meant being there, listening to their ranting and raving, the crying and tears, the letting go of anger. You were their special contact. You built up a relationship with them." In December 1993, Walsh describes how she "very sadly and very emotionally left" this job and her young charges.

Her new role as manager of the childcare centre is equally demanding, she says. It is open for 10 hours each day, Monday to Friday.

Children up to eight years of age are cared for.