Thoughts on male childminders?

[willowsmam]

My husband has always been the most hands-on parent on our household and would have loved to have more kids (our little girl is 4 and I have no intention of having any more because I had such bad pnd).

My husband works part-time already so he can spend time with our daughter and he took extended leave with her when I returned to work when she was 8 weeks old. Needless to say, he's very paternal.

He's always said he would love to be a childminder and is starting to think about it a lot more seriously. But I don't know of any. What are peoples perceptions of a male childminder.. would you use one?

Honest opinions please :-)

[IAmALamp]

I used one. He is brilliant and very popular.

[JessieMcJessie]

I used to use a nursery with a male key worker and he was brilliant, my son loved him. Perhaps a male childminder would be an attractive option for single mothers who would like their children to have more of a male influence in their lives?

[willowsmam]

Aw that's great to hear!

[RB68]

I wouldn't have a problem wither - at the end of the day they are all checked and trained. You would still do trials and interview them so you can see if you gel with them and as others have said good male rolemodelling

[SeeKnievelHitThe17thBus]

We're looking at a CM where the DH is the female CM's assistant so they work together. He is a real selling point for us as, like you, we have DH at home PT (I work FT) so want the baby to see men as an equal childcare provider the rest of the week when dad's at work.

[willowsmam]

This is all great feedback, thank you!

To be honest, my husband is one of the loveliest men you could meet (I know I'm bias...!), but where ever he goes, people seem to just flock to him and the parents at our daughters school all things he's great. I think parents would love him, I just worried in case him being a male would put him off somewhat in the first place.

[willowsmam]

I've actually had a look on childcare website and there doesn't appear to be any other men CM in our area.

I suppose him being different could set him apart from everyone else. He might get approaches because he's male.

[PoisonousSmurf]

Go for it! I was a childminder for several years and met a few husband and wife teams and know a couple of CMs online.
They are always busy and full as many parents like the idea of a male figure being a carer.

[willowsmam]

Thanks everyone :-)