PEOPLE in Bromsgrove considering a career in childcare have the opportunity to attend a free course.

NEW College, which has a campus in Blackwood Road, Bromsgrove, is running the classes which cover working in education and childcare with youngsters aged from newborn to five years.

The course is aimed at people who are considering working with children as a teacher, playworker, or in a pre-school or creche.

Tutors will provide practical information about the range of careers available.

The course provides a foundation for progression into a recognised work-based qualification.

NEW College is offering the course as part of a major drive to recruit people to work in childcare.

The campaign has been launched by Worcestershire Early Years Development and Childcare partnership.

The partnership is planning to develop more than 2,500 new places for children over the next three years in day nurseries, pre-school playgroups, out-of-school clubs, holiday clubs and with childminders.

Worcestershire County Council's early years development officer, Alison Hitchens, said: "Research we've carried out identifies a high demand from working parents for more childcare across the county.

"Recruiting a qualified workforce to support such a scale of development is of paramount importance for all involved."

The three session introduction course currently takes place on Thursday mornings.

For details, call Lynne Harris at NEW College on (01527) 570020.