Bath & North East Council is organising a series of information sessions in April for anyone interested in a career in childcare, especially childminding.
The Working with Children information sessions will run as follows:
- Tuesday April 17, 12.30 – 2pm: Radstock Children’s Centre.
- Wednesday April 18, 9.30 – 11am: Parkside Children’s Centre, Bath.
- Tuesday April 24, 9.30 – 11am: Chew Valley Children’s Centre, Chew Magna.
- Thursday April 26, 9.30 – 11am: Keynsham Children’s Centre.
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown), Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, will be spending the day with childminders Ed and Rachel Leigh-Wood at Swainswick Explorers near Bath on April 16, taking part in play and activities with the children.
Cllr Hartley said: “One of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s key objectives is to help children and young people enjoy their childhood and be prepared for adult life, so having plenty of well-qualified people in the profession is very important. I would encourage anyone interested in working with children to call in to one of the information sessions to find out more.”
Although the focus is on people interested in training as childminders, people interested in working or volunteering to work with children more generally eg play workers, early years workers or pre-school assistants, are also encouraged to attend.
Those already working as childminders keen to gain more qualifications are also encouraged to attend the drop-in sessions, as are people interested finding out more about fostering.
The Council provides information, advice and ongoing support to anyone interested in a career in childminding and can also help fund some childminding courses.
Jackie Fielder, from the Council’s Family Information Service, said: “There are lots of people who could make very good childminders and we want to encourage them to consider it as a professional career. Many people have transferrable skills and, with some extra training, would make excellent childminders; for example those who have worked with the elderly or young adults, teachers or nurses.“
Linked closely to its new campaign to recognise the importance of fathers in children’s lives – ‘Celebrating Fatherhood’ – the Council is also very keen to encourage more men to consider childminding as a career.
Evidence shows that fathers, and other male role models, have a big impact on the quality of children’s lives – including boosting confidence and self-esteem, as well as benefiting their progress educationally.
For more information about these sessions or about working with children please contact the Family Information Service on 0800 0731214 or email [email protected].