A recruitment campaign has been launched by Rotherham Council to encourage people to pursue a career working with younger children in the early years sector.
The Early Years Job Shop aims to give people the dedicated support and guidance needed to start, or return to, a career in childcare, whilst providing nurseries and early years settings with the workers they need to be able to offer more childcare places for Rotherham parents.
Through the new initiative, people with an interest in working with young children will benefit from a wide range of support to find suitable employment in early years, either working from home or within a childcare setting.
In addition to providing access to a range of unique training opportunities and professional development options, the dedicated team will offer support to help people gain the qualifications needed become an Early Years Practitioner or a registered Childminder.
Sharon Stones, Head of School at Arnold Nursery School and Children's Centre in Herringthorpe said: “I’d highly recommend a career in childcare and education, it’s just so rewarding. The knowledge that you play such an important part in a child's life gives a huge sense of pride and job satisfaction.
“As professionals, we can shape a child's future for the better, and there's no finer feeling than when you meet a child that you taught, twenty or thirty years later and you see them succeeding in life.”
The campaign to boost recruitment across the sector comes as the latest data shows that 6941 children in the borough are now registered to access early years provision. This reflects the strength of demand following the Governments expansion of free childcare which kicked in in April 2024.
Eligible working parents of children aged from nine months old can now access up to 15 hours of childcare support, with parents of three and four-year-olds entitled to 30 hours. By September 2025, it is anticipated most working families with children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Victoria Cusworth said: “With demand for childcare places set to rise further in the borough, there will be more opportunities than ever to start a career in this invaluable sector.
“Our early years and childcare providers are the foundation of our education system and as a council we are looking for people who are passionate about giving children the best start in life to join our wonderful practitioners at this exciting time.”
"Whether you want to find out more about the career path, or you’re looking for your next steps we'd love to hear from people who want to help shape children’s future.”
Anyone wanting to find out more should visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/children-families/early-years-job-shop or email the team on EYTraining@rotherham.gov.uk