Jane?s Blog: ?Is working in early years a job for the boys??
 

Only 2% of staff working with the under 5s are male - Jane Haywood looks at the issue of gender equality in early years settings.

Read more...

Obviously some men may not want to work in the early years because of opinion.

I know alot of men that are the main carer in their family with the wife going to work. I generally get the impression that most of them really would prefer if the shoe were on the other foot.

We have an excellent male reception teacher in our school. I was quite upset when my LO didn't get him, though I am aware that there were some parents that were relieved.

If you look at the people training to be teaching assistants in my own environment, most of them are Mums whose children have not long gone into full time education. They all volunteer their time in the school to increase their opportunity of gaining respect, experience and a position. I don't see any fathers doing the same. This will naturally lead to more women having the experience and qualifications to start a career in the early years environment.

Maybe with the increase in unemployment of late, there might be a higher interest or willingness from men to work in the Early Years Sector?