Inverclyde childminders teddy bear picnic in Gourock

The fun event was aimed at celebrating the outstanding care offered on families' doorsteps as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the sector which has been under increasing pressure in recent years.

Since the Covid pandemic the number of registered childminders in Inverclyde has fallen from around 70 to as low as 35.

This means that parents are now facing difficulties getting the vital childcare they need and making it harder to work.

Now the Inverclyde Childminding Network is pulling out all the stops to bring in new recruits.

Co-ordinator Michelle O'Rourke, who organised the event along with fellow childminder Jane Smith, said: "It was a great day and you can see how happy the children are with the smiles on their faces.

"We work very closely with the bunny park and we have used the band stand before as well.

"The teddy bear picnic shows the criteria we meet from focusing on the outdoors and literacy, with Book Bug coming along as well."

At the teddy bears picnic there was a range of activites from Book Bug, face painting, healthy snacks, a chance to play and time to look at all the animals.

Michelle who lives in Greenock also hopes that it is a chance to showcase childminding and encourage more recruits.

She said: "I have been a childminder for 19 years. I had three children under four and it was a chance for me to be with my own children while also earning a living.

"But it is a full time job, you are self-employed and you need to meet requirements.

"It is so fulfilling, I have had the same family with me now for eight years.

"It is about nurturing and building bonds with families. But we cannot meet the demand right now."

In particular the shortage of childminders is most keenly felt in Port Glasgow.

At the teddy bears picnic, part of a nationwide event to promote childminding, local groups and businesses rallied round. The childminders led a Book Bug session.

They thank sponsors McArthur Scott for bringing along face paint artist Gadsya Nggadas, Short, Bark & Resides, Tescos Greenock Lorella Sutherland sponsored healthy drinks and snacks for the children.

The childminders were joined on the day by Scottish Childminders Association area manager Mary Ramsay, as well as officers from Inverclyde early years.