Calderdale childminders and the children they look after gathered at an event on Wednesday 21 June to celebrate all that’s great about childminding.
Calderdale Council runs an annual event to give childminders and children from across the borough the chance to meet up, share stories, learn from each other and take part in fun activities.
At this year’s event, attendees enjoyed a teddy bears’ picnic, stories and rhymes at Manor Heath Park in Halifax. The Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale, Cllr Ferman Ali and Mrs Shaheen Ali, officially opened the event.
At the event the Council also promoted its childminding campaign, which aims to recruit more childminders.
There are currently 182 registered childminders in Calderdale, but more are needed.
Cllr Megan Swift, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said:
“Our childminders do a wonderful job and give great help to local parents. The event at Manor Heath Park was a lovely way to thank them.
“We want children in Calderdale to have the best possible start in life, so we’ve launched a campaign to encourage more people to take up a rewarding career in childminding.
“You can earn money, run your own business from your own home, help children to learn and develop and benefit from a range of support and training from the Council’s friendly and experienced team.”
As well as regular training and support during the registration process and beyond, the Council provides free childminding information sessions throughout the year. The sessions give information and advice to help people decide if they want to train to become a registered childminder.
The Council also works with a number of peer supporters, who are already childminders in Calderdale and offer practical advice and support to other childminders.
For the dates of upcoming information sessions and more information about childminding, visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/childminding, email fis@calderdale.gov.uk or call 01422 392576.