The Outreach Support worker for the Men into Childcare project started work in April 2007. Since then, Mark has been busy marketing the project by creating information leaflets and posters.   

These were mailed to all the Children’s Centres, day nurseries and playgroups in Birmingham. After posting the information the number of calls the team received from men looking to start a career in childcare increased dramatically.   

Many childcare providers in the city were contacted to see if they could offer work placements or employment.  

Westhill Day Nursery in Kings Norton were looking to fill a vacancy immediately. The Childcare Information Bureau were able to use their database of men interested in childcare to put forward men who matched the criteria and were able to travel to Kings Norton for the post.  

After a successful interview Jason Frye from the database was offered the position. Jason is currently working in the baby room and starts his NVQ in September. Jason and Westhill Day Nursery have also agreed to be part of a case study for the project.   

In partnership with Greet Children’s Centre, the Men into Childcare project is running an Introduction to Childcare course to include work placements. This is a six week course which started early in July. The introduction course is now in its final stages with plans to run a progression course in childcare, in an attempt to retain men within the sector. These are just some of the success stories from the project so far.  

In June 2007 the Childcare Recruitment Team held their annual Opportunities event at the Council House in Birmingham. The Men into Childcare stand was a great success with over thirty men enquiring about a career in childcare, and eight signing up to the introduction course.   

An introduction to play work course, in partnership with Purple Monster, started at the end of August 2007.

For further information please contact Mark Whitcombe