Male Nursery Staff

[NurseryMan25]

What is your opinion on Male nursery staff?
Do you think there is a benefit to men working with under 5’s?
Are you comfortable with Male staff working with your children? If not, why?

No judgement, no argument just looking to gauge opinions. Be honest.

[Zebedee88]

I think they're a great role model, we should have more males in nursery/ childcare. I don't really see the difference in what sex the workers are

[Smoggle]

Why do you ask?

[Owlettele]

Totally comfortable with it. There are male staff and DD and DS nursery . Have no issue at all. Not sure why we need to . My only concern about anyone around young children in such a setting is that they care , are patient and build good relationships with the kids.

[TheFairyCaravan]

I think it's great. There aren't enough males in child care

[NurseryMan25]

I ask as I’m looking to gauge opinion as part of my work and my role in trying to address the recruitment of men into EY

[Stayawayfromitsmouth]

Is this even an issue for you? It's just not even something that would cross my mind. All nursery workers are presumably qualified for the role.

[KitKat1985]

I think it's a real shame there aren't more men working in nurseries. It would be great for kids to have more male role models that don't conform to traditional male job-role stereotypes, and allow kids to see that care givers don't have to be female.

[Zebedee88]

I'm presuming this is still an issue...when I was doing childcare at college around 14 years ago, it was all female. Now still as a nanny, i think nursery and young childcare still seems that it's full of women. Although for teachers, it seems to even out.

[Aragog]

Totally fine with it. Why wouldn't I be? I'd trust then as much as I'd trust any other member of staff at a nursery, childcare, school, etc.


There should be more male staff in roles working with young children. They are very much under represented in early years and infant age education and child care roles.

[NurseryMan25]

It has been an issue in the past for me yes. I have still had parents request that I don’t change their child’s nappy or assist in the bathroom. Fortunately my employer doesn’t allow this and will support me when these comments are made. For me this thread is mainly about getting people’s opinions as I do understand some people are more cautious and would like to know why.

[donajimena]

I had a male childminder. Never seen one since. He was great.

[Thesnobbymiddleclassone]

I couldn't give a toss if they're male, female, trans, gay, bisexual or whatever. As long as they're qualified and crb checked like any other staff member I don't see the problem.

[PaintBySticker]

There has never been a male member of staff at my children’s nursery except a chef but I am another who would welcome more male involvement in early years childcare. Yes statistically men are more likely to commit crimes but nurseries should have procedures in place (eg line of sight for nanpy change area) that make committing crimes against the children very unlikely.

[YourSarcasmIsDripping]

would like to know why.

Most people that object do so due to prejudice and stereotyping. It's not a MAN job so they question your motives,they can't get their heads around it. For some it will be that they enjoy the privilege of some stereotypes so a man in a caring job,especially early years means you're a threat to the status quo.

Yes I'm jaded and cynical.

For very few it will be an issue of previous trauma or experiences which is fair enough.

[IdaIdes]

Personally I wouldn't be ok with a nursery with male staff and I'd move my child. They are statistical far more likely (by lots and lots!) to abuse a child. I've made most of parenting decisions based on "what's best" and part of that is risk assessment. Why would I choose to take on more risk?

[Jsmith99]

I think they are either very brave, very naive, or both.

One baseless rumour, one unsubstantiated malicious allegation and a man would be presumed guilty until proven innocent, by which time his career, reputation and life would be ruined.

Why would anyone put themselves in that position?

[TipseyTorvey]

Our nursery has several lovely male staff. One of them was our DSs key worker and is now our preferred babysitter. He's massively into gaming which impresses my older DS no end and both get very excited when he's coming to babysit. I like having a male role model type babysit and the fact he's drb checked with all the medical training is a real weight off my mind.

[CostanzaG]

idaldes you should mange risk based on individuals not an entire group of people.

To answer you OP - yes I absolutely support more men entering caring professions. I think it's something that is lacking and the sector could benefit hugely from a more balanced workforce.

Unfortunately, there are some people who hold deeply ingrained stereotypical views and seem to view any man choosing to working in childcare as a potential sex offender. It's a real shame and does need addressing.

[NurseryMan25]

@Jsmith99 I put myself in that position as I love what I do. Every day is different, I get to use virtually every skill and ability that I have and most importantly I make a difference to children every single day. I watch them grow, I teach them and I care for them and it’s the most rewarding and enjoyable career I can think of.

[Parker231]

Some people have ridiculous ideas. Would you refuse to have a male teacher, dentist, doctor or nurse? The male:female staffing figures were always questioned we have when checking out nurseries and schools as we wanted to ensure DC’s would have both male and female carers and teachers.

[ABC1234DEF]

I was very pleased to see a male nursery nurse in the nursery that we have chosen for our son. It's important for both boys and girls to have good male role models.

[skankingpiglet]

I wish there were more rather than just the odd 'token'. DD2's nursery has just lost a lovely male staff member. She absolutely adored him, as she did the man in the 'younger toddler' room last year (who also sadly left to progress his career). It's good for children to be around a mix of all kinds of people IMO: sex, race, religion, disabilities, cultures etc. DD1 was very nervous of men for a while as the only one she ever had much contact with was DH.

I have no worries over my DC's safety. The nursery's procedures carefully protect both the child and worker eg the toilets can be seen by the rest of the room with just a little door on the cubicle for the child's privacy. The staff are never in a cubicle with the door shut (they wouldn't fit!). Nappy changes are done in the room, visible by all other staff.

[sighrollseyes]

Two men work in my kids nursery and they are absolutely fantastic - kids love them! They have a different vibe about them to women and kids see that men do "caring" roles too. I love that my kids are cared for by both men and women in nursery.

[GummyGoddess]

There is one at my DC's nursery and he's lovely. He's only about 20 so still training and has no key child yet but DC1 loves him (DC2 not yet started nursery).

@IdaIdes In the nursery all nappies are changed in the room, all meals in the room, all children outside together, the children are never alone with one person. Would that change your opinion at all?

[Jsmith99]

@NurseryMan25 You are doing a very important job, and I respect your reasons for doing it. Do you consider yourself to be in a vulnerable position relative to your female colleagues? How do you deal with attitudes such as those expressed by Idaldes above?