A campaign to encourage men to work in childcare launched by Surrey County Council has resulted in unprecedented levels of interest.

A dedicated website has attracted more than 3,000 visitors and almost 100 direct enquiries have been received. Staff in the early years and childcare service have held information sessions for 37 men – the first time any men have attended such an event in the county.

Organisers hope the campaign will address the gender imbalance which means that only about 3.5% of Surrey's workforce of paid and voluntary childcare staff are men. That is slightly more than the national average of 2%.

Mary Angell, the council's Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: "As far as we know, this campaign is the only one of its kind in the UK. We are keen to ensure Surrey’s children have positive male role models from an early age, and working with children is both a challenging and rewarding career choice."

Cheryl Marie, Recruitment and Retention Outreach Officer in the early years and childcare service, said: "We are delighted with the results so far. As well as hundreds of calls, email and visits to our website, the roadshows we held in shopping centres in Woking and Camberley proved popular, with another 47 men asking for more information."

For more information about working in childcare, call 01372 833900.