European Social Fund in England

Recruitment within the early years childcare sector

Region: GOEE

CFO: Regional LSC East

Funding amount: £300,000.00

Start date: 01/01/2005

End date: 31/12/2006

The Eastern Region has been successful in winning two bids from the European Social Fund for Training and Recruitment within the Early Years and Childcare sector. Both projects are being run over two years. The Recruitment project aims to increase access to, and participation in, childcare occupations, and is the first time that a regional partnership has come together to endeavour to meet the needs of the sector across the region. The project aims to use innovative ways of attracting excluded and hard to reach individuals into the early years and childcare sector and provide progression through to level 2 training opportunities. The project will therefore increase the numbers of people within the sector taking part in lifelong learning so that they can continue to develop their own knowledge, skills and employability. This work will support the delivery of the National Childcare Strategy, which aims to deliver quality, accessible childcare in every neighbourhood, and complement and enhance existing provision across the region. The supply of trained childcare workers in vital to the achievement of keeping the workforce up to date with the skills required by employers and enabling the quality of childcare provision to develop and raise the status of childcare as a profession. The aim is to sign up 2500 beneficiaries within the two years. A dedicated team has been employed to manage the project progress and monitor each local authorities activity, giving constant support and assistance throughout the project. A Steering Group has been appointed and will monitor progress in achieving outputs, outcomes and milestones and through regular review will promote continuous improvement and raise standards, identify excellence to disseminate across the region. They will identify concerns and take appropriate action to strengthen delivery of service. Also to use information gained through review to inform ongoing planning and implementation of the project.

1. Bedfordshire have reported a man who is over 40 and has dyslexia, he is now working towards a level 2 qualification. Gary Powers is a 41 year old man with 6 children and is currently working as a Nursery Assistant in Essex. When his children were young, their nursery needed some extra help so he offered to be a parent helper, this was his first step into a career in childcare and when his youngest child went into reception he decided to take this career option further. He attended a Drop-in Service which Bedfordshire County Council were running at the local Jobcentre Plus for people interested in careers in childcare. He then went onto do a level 1 course (Getting Started in Pre-School Practice) and began a 10 hour voluntary placement. Whilst doing the placement, he was offered the Nursery Assistant post. His thoughts "I have become very popular with the children and parents; the parents really value my time with their children; some parents whose children attend nurseries are single mothers and I feel having a positive male role model will bridge any gaps, increase their child's confidence and hopefully enrich their lives; My goals and aspirations are to become a Nursery Nurse and study towards the Level 2 in childcare qualification. I am Dyslexic, and will no doubt face some challenges of my own, but I'm determined to succeed, and hope to run my own nursery one day.
2. In Essex, Recruitment Workshops were held at three locations offering level 1 activity followed by 4 workshop sessions covering completion of application forms and C.V's, Interviewing Skills (practical tips), addressing barriers and assessing training opportunities, benefits and support for Job Centre Plus. Two of the three venues were at Local Surestart/Children's Centre's. Target groups were clients without a level 2 childcare qualification, Job Centre plus referrals and parents/carers working as volunteers at children's centre's. This allowed us to offer 1:1 support at each of the three venues. The feedback on the Level 1 Activity was excellent. These are some of the comments received by one of the attendees, "I just wanted to say thank you for a great workshop on Wednesday. For ages I have wanted to ask questions and wanted to know where to start in finding a job in childcare. In those 2 hours I spent at the workshop I had all of my questions answered, grown confidence and grew a determination in going for the job I want in childcare. I cannot thank you enough!!"
3. Peterborough Children's Strategic Partnership hosted a Presentation Evening on Tuesday 19th July 2005 at The Fleet Centre for a number of people who had completed introductory training in Childcare. The Early Years course was provided by the Pre-School Learning Alliance and the Playwork course was provided by Purple Monster Training Limited. Eleven people seeking employment in the Childcare sector have been successful in achieving certificates which should provide them with the initial training to be employed in Childcare settings in Peterborough. Already three people have found employment and others are continuing with voluntary placements. The evening had a 'fun' theme as the students had to create their own cap and gown from black plastic bags, card etc before they could receive their certificates. The students really enjoyed the training and the evening event and are enthusiastic about gaining employment in the Childcare sector as part of our future childcare workforce.
4. In Norfolk, the Training and Recruitment Teams have held workshops all over the county with an emphasis on delivering in rural areas. These have proved to be very successful. A Workshop was also held in-house which was greatly received by people wanting to work in the childcare sector, two young lads with learning difficulties attended and both were very keen to pursue this career option. One of them spent the afternoon with the recruitment team where he was able to use in-house systems to find a placement in a childcare setting.

For further information contact:

Sonia Haylett

Regional Co-Ordinator - ESF Regional Project

Tel: 01603 599837

sonia.haylett@norfolk.gov.uk