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.

Sorry, but no. Statistically, paedophiles are almost exclusively male, and the sole charge aspect creates the perfect environment for abuse.

Wouldn't bother me, logically i'd think that if a man wanted access to abuse children becoming a childminder would be the last thing you'd want to do given the scrutiny you'd be under and all the hard work on top.

Willow2017, I know there's training to be a childminder - it's not comparable to a teaching or nursing degree, tho.

Men have done degrees in theology and joined the priesthood to gain access to children. I'm not sure childminding would be much of a stretch for a determined abuser.

No I wouldn't not in a sole care setting. Rightly or wrongly in rl I think I would be in the majority too (despite what people say here)

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)

If it's a bad as you say, maybe OP's dh should rethink - that sort of thing is often the reason teachers are fleeing the profession.

yes

No

Yes, I leave my kids with an excellent male cm. I’m a lone parent and really happy that they have such a great male role model

There was one local to us, and I did consider it (but unfortunately he had no space at the right time for my return to work).

Career-wise, I think your DH would be making a big mistake as it's a real step down from being a teacher. If he really wants to leave his job, would he consider tutoring, working in outreach for a museum etc, or running either online or real life learning activities for homeschooled children?

I can guarantee that a male childminder would be under far more scrutiny than your average priest.

As I said I know many cms who have degrees in child development, early years education, qualifications in various specific childcare areas and qualifications in looking after children with complex health needs often working with paediatric nurses (as well as the parents obviously), social workers etc.
Its not only teachers who have degrees!

BTW I didnt do a degree I worked placements/did college for 3 years to get my RGN registration The old fashioned way!

If it's a bad as you say, maybe OP's dh should rethink - that sort of thing is often the reason teachers are fleeing the profession

Probably better than marking 20 jotters of the same work trying to decipher handwriting every night though

No I would find it weird - not fair but that’s how I secretly feel.

Willow, I know that some CMs have degrees, but you don't have to have a degree to be a childminder and most don't have one. While the OP's DH could possibly charge a premium for being well-qualified, it's also unlikely to match his existing salary as a primary school teacher overall (bear in mind that you don't get the perks of employment like pension contributions either).

I wouldn’t use a cm at all unless I knew them very well. I’m not sure why schools need to be open plan, doors propped open, safeguarding etc yet a childminder can be on their own with your child behind closed doors and it’s considered fine?
Abuse would be one concern and statistically more likely with a male. But I would probably worry more about my child just not being cared for very well with no-one else there to oversee their care.
Having said all of that there is a male cm that does drop offs and collections at my kids school and he doesn’t seem short of mindees.

No, but that’s because of my own hang-up because of CSA. I recognize that that’s really unfair, but there’s only 3 men in the world I would leave in sole care of Dd - her dad and her grandfathers.

Yes. I would have thought he’d be in high demand too.

No I would not.

I generally would prefer nursery type childcare but that's nothing to do with potential risk, is have no issue at all with a male CM, au pair, nursery nurse etc. I work in an industry with lots of very vulnerable people and have lots of male colleagues who are fantastic and who I trust completely

No. I'd question why he'd want a job he's over qualified for. There's also my unease around possible abuse as my Headmaster was found to have sexual images of underage children when he moved to his new school, as did their maths teacher. Both did time. (very large prestigious private school).

Baby no..

Child yes..

🤷‍♀️just my opinion, I have a one year old and a 9 year old I think my baby would crave that maternal mothering figure..

I would happily leave my 9 year old with a male ex-teacher.

Thanks for all of the responses. My dh's school is going through a tough time at the minute which is why he is looking for alternative careers. However, I do not think he will really leave teaching as he loves it. I feel the same as the posters on here who said no. My dh took 3 months maternity leave when dd2 was 7 months. I have no reason not to think he wouldnt be great. But, I don't think it would be a good idea in reality.

I would - especially as he’s been a teacher. That would be a big plus in my eyes.

No. I'd question why he'd want a job he's over qualified for.

Because nobody ever just fancied a complete change in career?
Because nobody with a degree ever did anything but 'very important work in that field'?
Because cms are 'unqualified' people who spend thier day just sitting watching kids play?
Dont you think a teaching background would be am asset in cming?

The disdain for cms in this thread is palpable.