A young man who has set up his own business is out to dispel the myths surrounding men working in childcare.
John Eccles has established Toddle In at his Barrow home in Mosley Street, becoming only the second male childminder in the town.
The Ofsted-registered childminder was working on supply as a teaching assistant for Cumbria County Council, but was not getting as many hours as he wanted and decided to pursue his ambition of becoming his own boss.
The 25-year-old, who gained a foundation degree in Early Years at university, got his venture off the ground with financial support from the government’s New Enterprise Allowance.
The former Alfred Barrow School pupil is well aware of how society does not typically consider childcare a man’s domain, but is determined to dispel the myth.
Mr Eccles, who has future aspirations to either open a nursery or perhaps continue his studies to become a teacher, said: “I enjoy working with children as it’s very rewarding and I aim to provide them with the best start to their education.
“There are single mums with kids who don’t have a male role model in their life and having a male childminder can help fill that gap.”