AIBU to feel uneasy about male staff in nurseries?

[Beautifulsiro56]

Males working in my cbildrends nursery- makes me feel so uncomfortable
Why would a male want to work in a nursery? Most nursery abuse cases are men.
Men shouldn't be allowed to work in nurseries? AIBU

You should watch kindergarten cop.

Same, I think everybody’s done those jobs as a steppingstone.
And it’s quite an eye-opener when you do as to who people are leaving their precious children with.
Mine went, I regret it

Nurseries are desperate for staff. If you've got a pulse, you're in.

If you don't have a pulse, you're still in and a member of staff will give you a jiggle when an ofsted inspector walks by.

I think a big issue is that it shouldn't be a stepping stone or so low paid that it is seen as a stepping stone and something to automatically encourage young, uninterested girls to do.

I don't disagree with you, however, I would still rather a baby be cared for by a sullen teenage girl than a 'motivated' man.
I don't care why she's chosen it. I mean so what if she's fallen into it? Most people fall into their jobs.

To be frank, I do question where this 'strong motivation' in these male nursery workers stems from given that it's not a highly paid job (most guys could work part-time in peace stacking shelves for the same money for less hassle) and, of course, appearing all upbeat and cheery is going to make your boss look at you less closely than a perfectly normal young girl daydreaming about her boyfriend...

I think that your blatant snobbery is preventing you from seeing the bleedin' obvious namely that it is strange that men want to work in nurseries and it is absolutely right to question it.

@QuintadosMalvados I think there is a difference between "strange" and "uncommon".
Some men have bad motives but to ban all men would be wrong.

I know 2 men who work in early years. One is a nursery manager now. That one started in it because he is Black and has ADHD and dyslexia, but wasnt diagnosed until he was in his teens. Partly because of some cultural barriers. He wants to be part of changing that for future generations of Black children. Working with young children in a way that means he builds firm bonds with their parents and can be part of educating and supporting them through any diagnosis process is very important to him.

The other guy has done it for years and did it because he found it better than retail. The kids make it a more interesting day than customers. After a while, that becomes the field you have the most experience in.

Well you can look towards New Zealand for inspiration in terms of making it into a good career but the government supports childcare to the tune of $120 a day which even with the conversion rate means that parents are paying £80 a day ish, without government subsidies. Most qualified for 50% help though.
But the quality is incomparable.
The most Junior staff were on $19 ph in 2017
It still isnt/wasnt “well paid” but the standards were high

I'd definitely support something similar in England. It should be a career and something that is valued much more than it is.

I would not hold your breath we won’t even pay our junior doctors what they rightly deserve
Which is why they’re all migrating to New Zealand and Australia

Father's also abuse children the stats for abuse is higher then male nursery workers you stating you know your husband is neither here nor there.

My children aren't at higher exposure with a male nursery worker at their nursery they have extremely good safe guarding in place for all staff and rated excellent.

I also find it disingenuous making statements about something you don't know anything about as you didn't use nursery settings. So again your simply making sweeping statements based on your opinion.

No careful attitude. The stats and your deep seated biological instincts prove there is a problem.

I know many lovely, caring men, some who work in caring professions. I can see why nursery teaching would appeal as a career to some men.

However I would never have sent my child to a nursery with male staff. The risk is too great, and I wouldn't expose my children to that risk just to support legitimate career aspirations, abstract ideas about challenging stereotypes etc. It's a shame for decent men if it makes it harder for them, but we can't always have what we want.

Oh, I know.

and this is ultimately why children are at risk. No one here wants to invest in childcare.

It's utter nonsense, perhaps we should enforce stereotypical jobs for each sex, for instance why would a woman want to be a firefighter or an engineer? Let's go back to 1950s.

It’s funny you mentioned that, but we have got locally a firefighter who is always on Facebook
She’s 5 foot one and seven stone wet
I hope she never ever attends a fire that I need carrying out of otherwise I’m done for
Another example of how common sense has gone out the window

It isn't true at all.

Maybe women shouldn’t be firefighters They lower the fitness criteria to shoehorn them in and continue to let them work when pregnant. Many get promoted beyond their capabilities to reach targets or get them out the way. They are quite often a danger to their colleagues and the general public all to meet absurd targets. Biology matters.

We can read the stats. Men abuse more in nursery then women particularly if you include the trans women in these stats male numbers both per capita and in absolute terms.

And why did these men want to work with babies and very young children? Did they think it would be easier than labouring on a building site or delivering pizzas rather than actually having a real interest in Early Years?

Mumsnetters love to sneer at female nursery workers but if they were to actually observe them in the setting, they'd often see bright, dedicated women of all ages who are creative, resourceful and have a sound knowledge of the pedagogy of Early Years and how to encourage learning through play.

They're the women that career women - and men - leave their kids with 40 hours per week.

Duplicate post!

All of them really wanted to work with children.
Most of the women did, but not all.
Great nursery staff are amazing. We need more because if nurseries can't get great ones they have settle for bad ones.

All of them really wanted to work with children

You keep saying that. I'm asking what their motivation was.

Ever had a baby smile at you?

Why does anyone choose to do any educational role? Secondary, primary, preschool or nursery teacher.

In DS's nursery it's because the nursery worker absolutely loves his job. His mum and older sister are nursery workers and he grew up helping with younger siblings. His ability to craft, educate and engage is incredible. He's very popular with all the children and brilliant at his job. I would take an engaged and passionate early years practitioner any day over someone who is just doing it because they don't know what to do or don't enjoy being around children.

Pre prep schools (so 3+) also have male teachers and probably deal with regular toilet accidents! Is the same question asked about male teachers?