New children's book to encourage parents to return to education

A children’s book aimed at adults has been launched as part of a new initiative to encourage parents across Scotland to return to education.

Glasgow Clyde College (GCC) has updated its campus facilities as part of a launch of support for parents returning to education, including baby changing facilities, highchairs and bottle warming stations, a children’s section in the library, access to finance and wellbeing support,

Also released is “Little Life Changing Stuff” – an illustrated children’s book created with GCC alumna Esmé Boyle, which is aimed at helping little ones understand the journey of returning to college.

The book, which tells the story of a mum and her son starting college together, is designed to be read to children to explain what a day at college is like.

The initiative comes after enrollment stats showed that Glasgow Clyde College serves areas which rank highly in Scotland’s Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), with 28.7% of enrolments from SIMD10 and 44.9% from SIMD20.

The college has said that new parents looking to return to education are affected by pressures such as uncertainty about returning, balancing childcare with studies and not knowing what support will be available can all be barriers for parents – factors that often can prevent them from applying completely.

David Marshall, Assistant Principal for Student Experience, at Glasgow Clyde College said: ”We understand that for any parent, and particularly new parents, returning to or starting education can be daunting.

“There are many concerns such as juggling parenting and studying, nerves around returning to education, and the expense of childcare.

“That’s why we’ve taken these important steps to support parents returning to education to make the transition as smooth as possible for parents and their children.

“We strive as a college to create an inclusive, welcoming and nurturing supportive environment where everyone can thrive and believe these plans will ensure that new parents will be in an environment where they can experience and create life changing stuff.”