A FORMER manual labourer has made a huge career change to become a childminder with help from a council service.

David James of Cogan used to work on buildings sites and in warehouses but recently decided he wanted to start a childminding business after he became a single parent looking after his two sons, Elliot and Oliver.

The Vale's Family Information Service provides information about childcare with the aim of helping parents, carers and those that work with young people and children in the Vale.

Mr James contacted the service for support and has since started a successful childminding business.

After two years of studying, Mr James has completed his course and gained continued professional development qualifications in such areas as paediatric first aid, child protection and food hygiene.

He now looks after children professionally.

Mr James said: "When I became a single parent, I didn’t want to use another childminder and get another job.

"Then I thought why can’t I look after other people’s children?"

When he decided to study for a qualification in child minding, he admitted was a little apprehensive.

Out of about 30 people in the room, he was the only man.

He said: "But I was treated just the same as everyone else.

"There was a lot of effort involved and the Family Information Service helped me so much in completing all the paperwork involved in becoming a childminder.

"Considering other work I’ve done has always been more physical, I’m loving this new job.

“Now, I get paid to sit on the beach and have lunch.

"I love fishing and have taken some of the children crab fishing.

"It’s great to see their faces when they pull up a line with a crab on the end.

"They love going down the park to feed the swans or flying a kite.

"I have two children of my own and I will look after a maximum of three more at any time.

To any men thinking of doing something similar, Mr James said it’s not easy but extremely rewarding.