With the Government consultation on reform of the early years workforce, there has been much debate about whether professionals should become a 'new teacher' or a 'pedagogue'. But little attention has been paid to how to establish a workforce that is more reflective of our society.
Why do so few men across all ethnic backgrounds choose a career in the early years, and why are men and women from black and other minority ethnic backgrounds under-represented at senior level and in decision-making bodies?
Choice for parents, the best start for children: a ten year strategy for childcare (DfES, 2004) mentions briefly the goal of creating a diversified workforce in the context of building a world-class profession and notes the need for an increase of both men and people from other minority ethnic groups. Any further discussion is left to the Children's Workforce Strategy, but even it offers little in terms of suggestions or solutions to the problem.
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