Deb began her career as an NNEB and worked within the Primary and Early Years sector. In 2003 she opened and managed her own day Nursery offering full day care to 2 – 5 year old children. The nursery was based on a school site and close links were maintained with the school eventually purchasing the nursery in 2007.

In 2009 Debbie began lecturing in Early Childhood at a large Further Education College in North Staffordshire. During this period, Debbie also completed her Masters Degree through the Pen Green research base in Northampton and was engaged in research into developing resilience amongst very young children through the use of transitional objects.

In 2013, Debbie gained employment as an Early Years Workforce Inspector for Prospects on behalf of Ofsted and continued this work until joining the university.

Deb moved to the University of Chester in 2014 to take up the position of Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and teaches on a wide range of modules on the BA Early Childhood Studies Programme as well as on the PGCERT with EYTS. She is currently working towards her Doctor of Education award and her current research interests continue in the area of attachment and resilience in the very young child.