Men into childcare : where have all the good men gone?

A baseline study into the reasons boys give for men not going into careers in childcare and early years education.

Contents

• Introduction
• Why don't men choose to work in childcare?
  • It's a woman's job
  • Children are challenging
  • Perceptions of others
  • Other reasons
• How could the work be made attractive to men?
  • Better pay
  • Gender balance
  • Image of the job
  • More support for men going into work
  • In schools
• Why do we need men in childcare?
• What jobs work with children?
• What skills do you need to work in childcare?
• Individual interviews

Introduction

Presented in this report are the findings of a consultation that Dynamix carried out for North Lanarkshire Education, "Men into early years and childcare project" from the 17 to the 23 of March 2006 at five schools in the authority's catchment area.

The schools, who very kindly agreed to participate, were Our Lady's high school in Cumbernauld, Cardinal Newman high school in Bellshill, St Margaret's high school in Airdrie, Rosehall high school and St Ambrose high school in Coatbridge.

In each school, boys from years one and two were asked why men were not choosing to go into childcare and early years work. The sessions were all for the equivalent of one school period. The size of the groups varied from nearly 40 to less than 10. The same methods were used in each session with slight variations allowing for the size of the group.

The results have been collated qualitatively; we have presented what was said mainly in the words that were used by the boys. In most places we have retained some of the boys statements but presented the gist of their arguments in our words. There was a lot of replication and we have not, therefore, provided each and every statement.

If you are interested in finding out more about a career in childcare please visit our men into early years and childcare page or you can use the contact us box on the page.