Drive launched to recruit more childminders for rural Argyll
Taynuilt childminders Dee and Brian Pennock are backing a council campaign to recruit more child carers in rural areas.
Mr and Mrs Pennock, who took up childminding in 2008, have lost count of how many youngsters have passed through their door in that time but it has filled their home with laughter and pride.
Now the pair are urging others living in rural areas to think about following in their footsteps – particularly to fill a need for more childminders for tots aged up to three.
Argyll and Bute’s early years team will give full support and help guide anyone interested, from expressing that first interest up to registering with the Care Inspectorate.
Financial help is also available for equipment, such as pushchairs and stairgates, as well as small home changes.
Dee said: ‘Our home is always filled with laughter and there is never a dull moment. If ever a problem crops up and we feel that we need some advice there is always plenty to be had from so many in early years.
‘During the last 13 years we’ve lost count of the number of children that have passed through our door but we always feel a lot of pride when we hear that one of them is doing well, just graduated, secured their first job, gone on to become a midwife or doctor, engineer or electrician. There is a pride to be had in the fact that perhaps, just maybe, we may have had just a little hand in their success. We’ve both enjoyed working together at home making our living doing something that we both love doing.’
Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for education Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said registered childminders provided an outstanding service and were an absolute integral part of its childcare strategy. She said: ‘Argyll and Bute is a beautiful yet very rural local authority, so it’s really important that we get as many people as possible to consider a career in childminding.
‘Not only do childminders enable children and young people to thrive in a loving, homely environment, they are fully committed to providing an extremely high standard of childcare,’ she said.
And added: ‘Being a childminder is a fantastic, rewarding job and we’re here to help guide and support any potential new recruits through the process. I would urge anyone considering it to get in touch with us in the first instance to find out more.’
Interested? Visit www. argyll-bute.gov.uk/socialcare-and-health/how-become-childminder or call 01369 708503.