Careers and Training
Asquith CEO to form steering group on gender
The chief executive of the Asquith nursery chain is to set up a steering group aimed at ending discrimination against men working in the early years sector.
In February, Andy Morris of Asquith Day Nurseries, (pictured right), called for urgent action to increase the number of men working in childcare.
Following a positive response from nursery sector stakeholders, he is now planning an initial meeting to discuss the steering group.
Backing Mr Morris's call is David Wright, the owner of Paint Pots Nurseries, which has five settings in Southampton.
Mr Wright said, 'This is a subject that's very close to my heart. I have worked in early years for seven years and I am fully aware of the imbalance that prevails with regards to gender in the workforce.
'I run five nurseries in the Southampton area and we have a maxim that we try to live up to: boys and girls are cared for by men and women.
'I don't employ women to be "gatekeepers" and I try to employ men wherever possible.'
He added, 'I hear the argument that it's all about money, rather than gender, but I think it is helpful to separate these issues. Pay is of course important, but that is an across-the-board issue.
'Pay, or lack of it, does stop some primary breadwinners from working in this sector, but we can only pay what our businesses can afford, and this is where the Government needs to step up to the plate.
'I have told Andy Morris that I would be delighted to take part in any initiative that addresses this gender problem.'
Any nursery stakeholder or interested party keen to be part of the steering group should call Mr Morris' office on 01753 760 634 or email kayleymjones@asquithnurseries.co.uk.
