Childminders Vacancy Register now available in Cumbria

This week, as part of National Childminders week, Cumbria Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership is delighted to announce the launch of the new Childminders Vacancy Register which is now available in Cumbria. 

The Register is managed by the Children's Information Service and is updated every 3 months with up to date information on all the childminding vacancies available with childminders in Cumbria. Over 100 childminders from across the County use the service and it means that the needs of parents can be met more efficiently. 

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

"This is an extremely valuable service for parents in this County who need childcare. Access to good nursery education and childcare are essential to contribute to the well-being of families and educational progress and there has never been such a demand for childcare as there is now. However parents and children want to use childcare that is good quality, affordable and meets their needs. The Children's' Information Service can provide parents with up to date information on all the childminders using the vacancy register in their area. They can let them know which childminders have vacancies and can even describe the type of vacancy they have whether it is full time, part time, after school, school holidays etc. I am sure that parents will find this service very useful to help them find the childcare that suits them." 

Jacqui Sullivan, Children's Information Service Manager says 

"The Childminder Vacancy Register was set up by the Children's Information Service in response to a demand from both childminders looking to fill their vacancies and parents looking for readily available childcare across Cumbria. Together with the information we can provide about the wide range of early years services now available, the Children's Information Service aims to give parents as much information as possible to help them find childcare in their local area which is affordable, flexible and reliable." 

Rachel Kerr, a full time childminder from Sandsfield Park in Carlisle finds the Register extremely useful. She says 

"I filled all my vacancies through the Childminders Vacancy Register within 3 weeks of it being out. I have 3 children under the age of five and some come to me after school as well. The Register gives parents the widest possible choice to help them make the right choice for their child when deciding on a childminder. For childminders the Register is an excellent way of advertising their vacancies which costs nothing and is administered in a fair and unbiased way."