Careers in Childcare Event
A ‘Careers in Childcare’ event is to be held in Goole, ahead of an increase in job opportunities in the childcare sector.
Opportunities to work in childcare will rise following the Government’s extension of funded childcare for working parents. From September, eligible parents of three or four year olds will be entitled to 15 extra hours of funded childcare a week over 38 weeks, or 1,140 hours across more weeks throughout the year.
Thousands of parents in the East Riding will be entitled to the extra hours of free childcare, which will help working parents to manage the cost of childcare and support parents into work. The careers event in Goole is aimed at attracting more people to work in childcare, either for an organisation or establishing their own business as a child-minder, to help meet the increased demand.
Leigh Johnson, Renaissance Co-ordinator for Goole, explained: “Goole has one of the highest birth rates in the East Riding and is forecast to have the highest proportion of working age residents per head of population in the county. It’s also a growth town for additional housing and employment opportunities. This is excellent news for the local economy but also highlights a growing need to increase the number of childcare places if the area is to meet the Government’s entitlement to access funded childcare provision.”
Goole Local Growth Partnership (formerly Goole Renaissance) is working with Goole Job Centre Plus, Goole College and other partners, to hold the Careers in Childcare drop-in event, which will be held on Tuesday 4 April at The Courtyard in Goole. The event will be available across two time-slots, from 11am to 2pm and between 4pm and 7pm.
It is open to anyone interested in finding out more information about working in the childcare sector, whether they already work in childcare, are thinking of working for someone else, setting up their own childcare business or volunteering.
There will be a market place of exhibitors and information, with experts on hand to offer information and guidance. People attending can pick up a range of information about local courses and career paths into childcare, and leave contact details or CVs if they are looking at employment opportunities in the sector.
The event will aim to break common myths around careers in childcare.
Councillor Jane Evison, East Riding of Yorkshire Council portfolio holder for economic investment, said: “Childcare covers a number of different age groups and is delivered in a range of settings and environments. There are ample opportunities for training and development . You can become a team leader, manager or director, or go on to complete a teaching degree. Working in childcare can also lead you into roles in health and social care, as well as education.”
Councillor Julie Abraham, the council’s portfolio holder for children, young people and education, said: “The entitlement to free childcare should make a major difference to thousands of hardworking East Riding families by helping them to manage the cost of childcare and support parents into work, or to work more hours if they wish to do so. Childcare is about helping children reach their potential and supporting them to become sociable and independent.”
For more details about the careers event, please contact Leigh Johnson, tel 01405 767654, email leigh.johnson@eastriding.gov.uk
For more information about the additional free childcare, contact the Families Information Service Hub (FISH) by ringing (01482) 396469, email FISH@eastriding.gov.uk or the FISH website, www2.eastriding.gov.uk/finding-childcare.
