Fifty-five per cent of parents questioned by the Children's WorkforceDevelopment Council said they would like their child to have a malechildcare worker in their early years setting. The same number said thathave men working in early years would benefit children because it wouldgive them regular access to a male role model.
The CWDC carried out an online survey among 1,000 parents in England whohad at least one child under five, who is either currently in nursery orpre-school or starting in the next two years.
The CWDC is campaigning for more men to work in childcare. Thom Crabbe,CWCD national development manager for early years, said, 'Male workerswill get to work in a challenging, stimulating environment withlike-minded professionals dedicated to the development of children.'
He added, 'Traditionally childcare has not been seen as a job for boys,but dads are much more actively involved today. I think this reflects achange in society.'
Mr Crabbe said that many early years settings tried to actively engagefathers, which could lead to men becoming interested in childcare as acareer.
Richard Dorrance, chief executive of qualifications awarding body CACHE,said its centres had seen more interest from men for courses in 2008/09.He said, 'We recognise that offering clear progression routes andhighlighting opportunities for professional development is essential tohelping to retain male learners, as it will help to promote theattractive long-term career prospects within childcare.'
But Daycare Trust joint chief executive Emma Knights said, 'To encouragemore men to consider working in childcare, the Government must takeaction to tackle the poor pay and conditions suffered by childcareworkers.'