To ask your opinion on this:

[LokiBear]

DH is a qualified teacher. He just mooted the idea that he might quit his job and register as a childminder. I said I didn't think that many people would want to leave young babies with a male childminder as its quite unusual to hear of male childminders. DH said he thinks lots of people would. So, we decided to ask on here. Simply looking for a yes/no answer; no elaboration needed. I dont think dh is serious about really quitting his job, but genuinly interested in seeing if people would choose a male childminder.

Honestly, no. But I'd only admit it on an anonymous forum.

Couldn't he make loads more money than he could child-minding by just doing Supply teaching, even a few days a week, if he no longer wants his current teaching role?

Some areas have too many supply teachers and what with schools cutting back in spending and covering in-house, the agency isn't as lucrative as it once was. There's also the issue with SOME schools who basically get in the supply to basically just watch the class and not actually teach.

I’m fine with male child care workers for older children in an after achool setting.

I would 100% not be happy with dropping a little baby off to be minded for the day by a male child care worker.

Yes of course

I would definitely! There's one in our town who specialises in out-of-hours childcare (evenings and weekends) and he has a waiting list. Another who also collects children from school in a mini bus, he also has a waiting list.

The honest answer is probably no, sorry. To provide additional weight to this, my DC school class has recently seen a new male TA and there has been much discussion amongst parents about this and it possibly being a "bit odd though he seems very nice".
No logic whatsoever, but I think most parents are perhaps a bit more old-fashioned in their thinking when it comes to care for their children, specifically sole caring roles.

I know of a male childminder who made this exact transition - from primary school teacher to childminder. He's much happier for it. Unfortunately he didn't have the space I needed for my daughter, but he is fab. He markets himself as providing high energy and play based education. I'm still a bit sad that there wasn't the space for my daughter to go there, he would have been a really positive influence on her.

No, I don't think I would. I know it's paranoid but I would just be happier with a woman.

No, I’m sorry I wouldn’t

I'd be very happy to use a male child minder, and I think he'd find he'd be very much in demand from parents wanting to actively challenge gender stereotypes associated with child care.

Also, I know you're not necessarily supportive of your husband wanting to make this transition, but if you want to PM me I might get able to put you/your husband in touch with the childminder I know to help him with the career change.

A male childminder? Maybe wouldn’t
A male childminder who was a qualified teacher and had extensive experience ... yes no issue.

Anyone who says no would be basing it solely on gender which seems odd

I'd be ok with it. Hope it works out for your DH.

I would! Ds's helped at school for his sn is a male and he loves him!

nope i defo wouldn't but i wouldn't use a childminder i prefer a more transparent service with more staff.

I wouldn't.

I wouldn't mind a man working in a nursery in fact I think it would be great for my son. But there's lots of oversight and other adults. I already feel a bit iffy about childminders because of the lack of other people around and definitely would never pick a male one.

Yes absolutely.

I’m a nanny and think childcare is crying out for more fantastic male childcares. I know of one male childminder and he has a waiting list as long as your arm! He and his male assistant are incredible and I do feel men bring a different energy to the profession then women and it’s very refreshing

Yes. Never used a child minder but have had male babysitters a lot. They were fab. (So were the women, of course!)

No, sorry to say I wouldn’t. Just makes me uncomfortable - not proud of it. Shouldn’t think this way as my DH is brilliant and has been accepted into toddler classes in our local area

I'd think he was over-qualified.

I was a nurse before I became a childminder. Was I overqualified?

I had to do specific childminding training and a whole host of other training in health and safety, food and hygiene etc. None of it related to nursing nor teaching.

Do you actually know what cms have to do to register and remain registered these days? Its not just a bit of pin money from working from home doing a bit of child minding like it used to be. The paperwork alone is horrendous and a royal pia. Learning journals, observations, child led planning, no time to be bored! (and a lot of it done at night and unpaid)
I know a cm who has more (and higher) qualifications in childcare, developement, special needs care, and other subjects than most of the teachers I know.

I would think a teacher would be a great cm, experience, patience, and ability to relate to kids. (and used to paperwork!)

Anyway he cant just quit teaching on Friday and start Cming on Monday. It takes weeks to become registered, house checks, training courses, first aid training, getting equipment together, PLI, house insurance, car insurance all need revising then waiting for the registration.

BTW I know a male CM through another forum, he is fab and has a waiting list. He is a great role model for the kids as well as extremely knowledgeable on child developement and done various extra training.

There were qualified male workers at DC nursery and they were fab. Really good role models. BUT i am less comfortable about childminders either male and female as they are less visible imo. Round our area it is after schools provision that is woefully inadequate.

I don't think I would. Rationally I know that anything bad to happen is unlikely, but the statistical truth is that pretty much all paedophiles are men.

No

Probably not purely because the majority of sex offenders are male and that would bias my opinion. I know that makes me sound like a absolute dinosaur and I know NAMALT but I still wouldn't feel comfortable with it. I appreciate it's unfair but I can't help my gut feelings.

Male teacher from nursery upwards I'd have no problem with because of the additional safeguardings that would be in place (for teachers of either sex).

This isn't necessarily about being 'old fashioned', it's about the overwhelming statistics re: sex offences. It's also about personal experiences; I've never been sexually assaulted by a female but I've been seriously assaulted by a male

I probably wouldn't have thought of a male, but a friend has a male au pair and it works brilliantly (he also tutors). I guess we are all conditioned, but no logical reason why.