Greater Manchester celebrates early education and childcare workforce in ‘Drawn to You’ exhibition

• Greater Manchester Combined Authority unveils four-week ‘Drawn to You’ exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery to spotlight early education and childcare workforce
• The exhibition is part of a wider campaign to celebrate the workforce and recruit new professionals into early education and childcare
• The campaign comes ahead of a major expansion in government-funded childcare which will require thousands more workers nationally

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is launching a new exhibition to champion the people who give the youngest in our communities the best start in life, as a major expansion of childcare support is set to raise demand for the workforce.

Running from Thursday 3 July to Thursday 24 July at Manchester Art Gallery, ‘Drawn to You’ brings the stories and voices of apprentices, childminders, nursery managers and other early education practitioners to life through artwork and testimonies from children under five and families across Greater Manchester.

The exhibition comes at a time of growing national attention on the early education and childcare sector. From September, working parents of children aged nine months and over in England will be eligible for up to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week - a significant expansion of support designed to help more parents return to work.

Delivering on that ambition requires a thriving workforce. The Department for Education has estimated that 40,000 more early years professionals will be needed nationally by 2025 to meet demand, a 12% increase on current staff numbers.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“This exhibition is a chance to say thank you to the dedicated people who work in early education and childcare. They play a crucial role in preparing children to start school ready to learn and thrive, while helping parents get back into work and pursue their goals. “With the Government expanding the childcare offer, there has never been a better time to think about a career in the sector. ‘Drawn to You’ tells that story with heart, colour and authenticity. I’d encourage everyone to visit the exhibition, learn more, and consider how they can get involved and make a real difference in the community.”

The exhibition is part of a wider campaign to raise the profile of early education and childcare professionals, celebrate the vital work they do, and encourage more people to consider a career in the sector.

This is why GMCA has launched a bold 12-month campaign to support recruitment and retention across the early education and childcare workforce in Greater Manchester.

Developed in collaboration with local authorities, providers, colleges and community partners, the campaign aims to:

• Celebrate and value the existing workforce, highlighting the personal impact they make on the lives of children and families across Greater Manchester
• Raise awareness of the vital role early education plays in helping children to develop, learn and thrive
• Promote the range of career opportunities and qualification pathways available within the sector

Councillor Mark Roberts, Greater Manchester Lead for Young People, said:

“This campaign is about shining a light on the professionals who are there at the very start of a child’s journey - from helping them take their first steps to building the foundations for a happy, healthy life. Too often their contribution is overlooked, despite the enormous difference they make to families across our city-region. “We want more people to recognise the value of this work, and to see early years as a respected, skilled and fulfilling career path. Whether you’re starting out, changing careers, or returning to work, there are real opportunities to grow and progress in this sector.”

The campaign highlights the different routes into the sector: young people between 14-18 can use the Beeline tool to identify courses and qualifications in early education and childcare, while the campaign website links to college courses and adult skills pathways offered by colleges in Greater Manchester.

Notes for Editors:

• ‘Drawn to You’ takes place in the Lion’s Den at Manchester Art Gallery from Thursday 3 July - Thursday 24 July. Entry is free. Opening times and gallery information can be found on the gallery’s website.
• The Early Education and Childcare Workforce campaignis part of a wider GMCA initiative to ensure that every child in Greater Manchester has the best start in life and starts school ready to learn and thrive.
• Families and prospective early educators can find out more about career opportunities, training and other available support through the GMCA’s Early Education Campaign page.

Article Published: 02/07/2025 17:50 PM