Parents want to see men in the nursery, says CWDC

Fifty-five per cent of parents questioned by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) said they would like their child to have a male childcare worker in their early years setting.

The same number said that have men working in early years would benefit children because it would give them regular access to a male role model.

The CWDC carried out an online survey among 1,000 parents in England who had at least one child under five, who is either currently in nursery or pre-school or starting in the next two years.

'No job for boys'

The CWDC is campaigning for more men to work in childcare. Currently just 2 per cent of the early years and childcare workforce is male.

Thom Crabbe, national development manager for early years at the CWDC said,
'Male workers will get to work in a challenging, stimulating environment with like-minded professionals dedicated to the development of children, with benefits to babies, toddlers and young children.

'Traditionally childcare has not been seen as a job for boys, but dads are much more actively involved today. I think this reflects a change in society.'

Mr Crabbe said that many early years settings tried to actively engage fathers, which could lead to men becoming interested in childcare as a career.

Richard Dorrance, chief executive of childcare qualifications awarding body CACHE, said their centres had seen more interest from men for courses in 2008/09.

Mr Dorrance said,'Children need both men and women as role models.  We also recognise that offering clear progression routes and highlighting opportunities for professional development is essential to helping to retain male learners, as it will help to promote the attractive long-term career prospects within childcare.'

Raising workers' status

Daycare Trust joint chief executive Emma Knights compared the situation in England with Norway, where nearly 9 per cent of childcare workers are men and their pay and status is closer to that of teachers.

She said, 'To encourage more men to consider working in childcare, the Government must take action to tackle the poor pay and conditions suffered by childcare workers. A recent report by the Low Pay Commission claimed that in the childcare sector over 10 per cent of jobs were paid at the adult National Minimum Wage, and nearly 20 per cent were paid below it.'

Mr Crabbe said there was 'no magic wand', but the Graduate Leader Fund and Early Years Professional Status were 'a step in the right direction' to improving pay in the early years sector.