Nursery World - 30 Hours, Part 7: Working in Wigan

Parents in Wigan have been encouraged to get a job or take on more work because of the 30 hours, finds Charlotte Goddard

Childminders are highly valued in Wigan,’ says Jayne Challiner, early years service manager at Wigan Council. ‘We have 97 per cent who have received an EYFS inspection and have a Good or Outstanding outcome. Following briefing sessions with childminders earlier this year, we have seen an increase in the number applying to deliver the fund[ed] hours – the current figure is 77, and eight further applications have been requested, compared with the 50 childminders we had before January 2017.’

The council offers regular support visits and says it is actively looking to attract new people into the profession. ‘We are holding a childminder fun day, so anyone interested in becoming a childminder can come down and experienced childminders will be available to talk about the job and the support they would get,’ says Ms Challiner.

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