JAKE Shone proved nanny knows best when he stuck to his ambitions and became the first male graduate from one of the country's top childcare colleges.
Past students from Princess Christian College in Fallowfield, Manchester, have gone on to work for the Royal Family.
And now 19-year-old Jake is to join the leading college's hall of fame after becoming the first man in its 101-year history to qualify with a prestigious diploma in childcare and education.
He hopes his success on the two-year residential course will blaze a trail for other young men.
"It does annoy me that people have quite hostile views towards men that go into the profession and I have heard of people saying they would never employ a man," said Jake, who spent time caring for his three younger brothers and cousins when he was growing up.
"Anyone who saw me working with children for any period of time wouldn't question my ability."
In fact Jake hopes that being a man may actually improve his chances of securing the nannying job he dreams of.
He said: "Because there are so few of us, that could actually improve my chances of getting work. Single mums have said they would prefer to have a male because it's a male role model in the house.
"When I told my mum I wanted to go into childcare she was really enthusiastic."
As part of the course at Princess Christian, Jake has had to learn about child development and how to work alongside parents.
As well as the theoretical element of the course, there have been placements at a nursery and with a family close to his own London home.
He said: "I'd like to go into nannying rather than a nursery because you are in a family environment."
Claire Killeen, who works at the neighbouring Princess Christian Nursery, said: "A lot of people think that it is a woman's job - but it's not. There is still that stigma. People think that it's just child's play but it's very demanding.
"Jake has done really well. This will be a step forward for other lads who have always wanted to do it, but may have been afraid of what their friends would say. Jake is a brilliant role model."