by Jess Gibson
The latest phase of the government’s early years recruitment campaign will focus on increasing the number of male educators working in early years settings, the Department for Education has announced.
Over the coming months, the ‘Do Something Big’ campaign will focus on showing how children thrive when they see both men and women in caring, nurturing roles from the very start of their education.
Research commissioned by the DfE found that nine in 10 parents feel it’s important for children to be cared for by both men and women, with many believing it helps children develop mutual respect and more balanced views of gender roles. However, just 3% of the early years workforce are currently men.
The research also shows that around a quarter of adults believe gender stereotypes (25%), fear of judgement or false accusations (25%), and social pressure to pursue more ‘masculine’ careers (24%) are major reasons why men are deterred from entering the sector – despite strong public support for greater male representation in early years settings.
The government has also confirmed plans to expand the previously-launched early years recruitment incentive scheme, which will now provide £1,000 payments to new or returning early years staff in 38 priority areas, as part of ongoing efforts to boost workforce numbers ahead of the final expansion of the entitlement offer.
Early education minister Stephen Morgan said: “Children thrive when they’re supported by a diverse mix of role models – and that starts in the early years.
“With big changes coming in September, we’re backing nurseries to recruit the staff they need and encouraging more men to consider this rewarding career.
“Through our Plan for Change, we’re making early years careers more appealing – and reminding dads that if you’ve helped your own child learn and grow, you’ve already got the skills to make a difference to many more.
“From today, new Do Something Big content will be bursting onto screens and social feeds across the nation.”
Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said: “The early years is where our future citizens are nurtured and created, and anyone who understands children and child development will know that this important work belongs to everyone, not just women. As such, we welcome the government’s efforts to attract more male early years educators into the profession.
“That said, as we have always argued, improving recruitment into the early years can only ever be part of the picture; much more must be done to ensure we are able to retain quality early years staff if we are have any chance of tackling the workforce crisis once and for all. With government-funded places set to account for as much as 80% of early years provision once the entitlement expansion is fully rolled out, this means ensuring that early years settings receive the level of funding needed to pay staff wages that reflect the vital role early educators play in a child’s development.”