A recruitment drive is under way to find more registered childminders in the Spen district.

The Government is keen to recruit more childminders nationally and the Depart-ment for Education and Employment has allocated extra money for start-up costs.

Anyone interested in becoming a childminder is invited to an advice and information session at Lydgate Junior and Infant School in Batley on April 24 from 9.15-11.30am.

Registered childminders are professional daycarers who work in their own homes and provide quality affordable childcare and learning opportunities for other people's children.

Kirklees Early Years Devel-opment and Childcare Part-nership is promoting registered childminding and provides first hand information to people who are interested in it as a career.

Councillor Mary Harkin, from the Partnership, said: "I hope we can build on the success of the parent and toddler group at Lydgate School which is why I have asked for this event to promote childminding to take place there."

For information contact the Children's Information service (01484) 223041 or Christine Jackson (01484) 223026.