News

Men attracted by recruitment drive

A campaign to encourage more men to work in early education and childcare has generated interest from thousands of people in Surrey.

The campaign, being run by Surrey County Council, has a dedicated website which has had more than 3,000 visitors and almost 100 direct enquiries. Campaign organisers have so far held information sessions for 37 men.

The council says this is the first time that any men have attended childcare recruitment events in the county (News, 21 April).

Of 10,716 childcare workers in Surrey, just 385, or 3.5 per cent, are men. This is slightly higher than the national average of 2 per cent.

Cheryl Marie, recruitment and retention outreach officer in the early years and childcare service, said, 'We are delighted with the results so far. As well as hundreds of calls, e-mails and visits to our website, the roadshows we held in shopping centres in Woking and Camberley proved popular, with another 47 men asking for more information.'

Lewis Ackerman, co-ordinator of Kids Camp at Fitness Express, who was involved in the campaign, said, 'I've been working with children since 2005 and Surrey County Council asked if I would like to get involved with the campaign.

'I was part of a group that discussed how to promote childcare to men. I would definitely encourage men to work in childcare - it's much more fun than a typical job.'

Mary Angell, the council's cabinet member for children and families, said, 'As far as we know, this campaign is the only one of its kind in the UK. We are keen to ensure Surrey's children have positive male role models from an early age, and working with children is both a challenging and rewarding career choice.'