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earlyyears.teachwire.net
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THE
ARGUMENTS
nursery business
When I grow up I want to be a footballer,
spaceman, computer games designer, etc.
(there are those stereotypes again) maybe, but
typically not a nursery practitioner. Teachers,
careers advisers, parents and friends will
generally not be supportive and can often be
obstructive – “You’re better than that!”
And yet, I speak to many men who have
chosen a career in early years and recognise
the fulfilment found in a vocation that enables
them to make a difference in children’s
lives. Typically, these are men who have
fallen into a role. Maybe they volunteered,
helped out or experienced opportunities via
a relative. Whatever the route in, they found
that essential element that arises out of
connectedness and relationship with young
children, and this was sufficient motivation
to keep them there. They get it. They are
passionate advocates for their calling. They
understand both the privilege and the
enormous responsibility of their daily duties.
Children casually tell their parents the
names of their male and female carers. The
rest of the team attest to the difference it
makes having men in the workforce, and
parents tell their friends with pride that their
child has a male keyworker. The culture
starts to change.
THE FUTURE
To borrow a quote, I have a dream – that
one day it will be normal for boys and
girls to be cared for by men and women in
equal proportions. There will be no more
discussion of ‘men in early years’. Early
years teaching will be afforded the status it
deserves, paid accordingly and attract the
best men and women who can work in
this role and support their household.
In the meantime, what can we do?
Recognise where we’re starting from. It’s
no use advertising jobs expecting men to
apply. They don’t. We need to work with
schools and colleges. We need to change
our own attitudes and take positive action
to encourage and support job applications
from men as well as women. If men won’t
come to us, we need to go out and find
them. But, we must only employ the best
person for the job. We need to build on
success. Who already employs men, and
what lessons can we learn from them?
WHY DO WE NEED MALE PRACTITIONERS?
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Arguably working with young children is our most important job – we
need to ensure the best people are in place.
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Equal opportunity – men have a right to work with children, children
have the right to be cared for by men and women; and if this happens,
we have more chance of meeting all children’s needs.
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Having the best practitioners available means improved
outcomes for children.
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It’s good for business! With parents overwhelmingly in favour of seeing
more men employed in nurseries, why not help your setting stand out
from the crowd and support children’s development at the same time?
David Wright is the owner of Paint
Pots Nursery Group (paintpotsnursery.
co.uk). He has published a Men in
Early Years charter, setting out a
commitment to working towards
a gender-balanced workforce, and
settings are being encouraged to
sign it and display it for all to see.
Download it from bit.ly/21h26IF
