The number of men working in childcare has increased by 50 per cent in Leicester in the past two years, according to new figures from the local authority.
According to Leicester City Council's annual audit of the childcare workforce, 45 men were working in the sector in 2007, a 50 per cent increase on 2005 figures.
The number of managers holding a level three qualification increased from 81 per cent in 2005 to 97 per cent in 2007.
But the number of registered childminders fell from 315 to 285 in the last year.
Vi Dempster, cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "It is good to see the level of qualifications held by the workforce has increased, as this will lead to higher quality childcare."
