A GENTLEMAN who believes he was the first male childminder in Hertfordshire and Essex said he is ‘delighted’ to have relocated himself and his services to the Bude area.

Simon Gresswell, whose business, formerly known as ‘Daddy Day Care’, but now ‘Bude and Stratton Childcare’, moved down to the area in June last year.

He has since been busy renovating a cottage, but is now back to offering his childminding services.

He said: “I was told by Cornwall Council the area is very short of child care facilities. I’ve just been approved for the free 30 hours funding. Everywhere is saying the area is screaming out for more childminders and nurseries.

“Being male, there aren’t many of us childminders around.”

Simon has been in childcare and early years education for more than eight years, and moved down to the area for a lifestyle change.

He started his career when his children Harry and Isabelle were born. He said: “When my son, Harry, was six months old I stayed home as the house husband and looked after him. This was when I learned a whole new respect for the task of raising children.

“This has to be the hardest but most rewarding job I have ever had, but I just love being with the children and as my wife, Sue, often tells me, I’m a big kid at heart, but I think you have to be.”

When his daughter Isabelle was born in 2009 he decided to change his career permanently.

In his new location the children he cares for will benefit from their three acres of land and two horses, Simon adding: “The idea is to get the children out as much as possible.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “The Family Information Service is the official source of all Ofsted registered childcare providers available in Cornwall.

“Childminders need to register for free on the Family Information Service website so that their details can be made available to parents and carers who are looking for childcare. Finding good quality childcare can be a difficult task for parents so the Family and Childcare Trust have created a step-by-step guide on finding childcare.

“We have hundreds of childminders in Cornwall — many of them men — and we are always keen to welcome new childcare providers. Recruitment training and a support network for childminders is available on the Family Information Service website — www.cornwallfisdirectory.org.uk/”