About youchoosework

Mission Statement

We’re building a trusted platform where flexible workers and childcare providers connect safely, simply, and with purpose.

Our Story

We come from the sector — we’ve run nurseries, and we know firsthand how tough it is to find qualified staff when you need them most. The national shortage of Level 2 and Level 3 childcare professionals, combined with slow and expensive agency services, makes it incredibly hard to maintain high-quality care and meet statutory ratios.

Youchoosework was created to solve that problem. It’s a tool designed to help nursery managers quickly connect with vetted, flexible workers — people who have the skills and experience but need work that fits around other commitments. By making it easier for nurseries to find the right people at the right time, we’re helping the sector stay resilient, responsive, and focused on what matters most: the children.

We put the idea forward to the UK Government’s Innovation Fund, and were proud to be awarded funding to build a pilot. It launched in Stockport and was warmly received by the sector. Following a successful second round of funding, we’re now rolling out across Greater Manchester — with plans to expand nationally next year.

Core Values

Meet the Team

Gerard Feeley, Founder

As co-owner of two nurseries in Stockport, I’ve seen first-hand the challenges that childcare providers face when it comes to recruitment. That experience, combined with over 20 years of working with organisations on their resourcing needs, inspired me to launch youchoosework — a platform designed to make staffing simpler, fairer, and more effective for both employers and workers. My career has been built on understanding what makes people effective in specialist roles and creating solutions that connect the right skills with the right opportunities. Running nurseries has given me a very practical perspective on workforce challenges, which continues to shape the way we develop youchoosework. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in the sun, watching football, and distance running.

Emma

Hi, my name is Emma and I have 11 years experience within the Early Years, working my way up from being a nursery practitioner, room leader and finally to a deputy manager of a nursery setting. In my spare time, I like to travel to as many new places as possible, go on long walks and try lots of new foods! I am proud and excited to put my early years experience and knowledge into my role as a recruitment consultant with youchoosework. I aim to connect qualified, unqualified, fun and reliable flexible workers to various nursery settings and schools around Greater Manchester!

Claire

Hi, I’m Claire and thrilled to be part of the youchoosework team. I qualified as a Primary School Teacher in 2008, teaching for ten years before moving into private early years nursery management, and I am now bringing my knowledge and experience into my new role with youchoosework. In my spare time, I love to visit the theatre, getting stuck into a good book, go on long woodland walks and enjoy visiting new places on family holidays.

Mia

Hello! My name is Mia. I have 6 years of early years experience- working my way up from an apprentice to senior practitioner. Outside of youchoosework, I can often be found doing yoga, reading a book or spending time with my friends.

Social Media

For Childcare Provider or School

Registered childcare providers and schools can book online or message our AI assistant to find vetted staff instantly. It only takes two minutes to register with us.

For Flexible Workers

Download our app onto your device to start your registration with us and one of our team will be in touch to support you through our safer recruitment process.

About youchoosework

Trust

Flexibility

Innovation

Trust

Flexibility

Innovation

Gerard Feeley, Founder

Emma

Claire

Mia

Number of vetted workers placed

Testimonials from providers or workers

Partnerships or funding

Future plans for schools and care sectors

For Childcare Provider or School

For Flexible Workers

Ready to explore flexible work with purpose?