Nursery World - How to woo the men

I read with interest your article on men in childcare (Nursery World, news, 14 October). Staff at the Gooseberry Bush Day Nursery were keen to address this issue so we contacted Jobcentre Plus and invited a number of men who were out of work into the nursery. Five men turned up and after a tour of the nursery each chose an age group to spend time with and also spoke to the staff. 'I am a secondary teacher, I don't know why I have been invited,' said Michael, one of our visitors. I was disappointed but answered, 'Just look on it as a chance to see younger children and you do get to have a coffee and a piece of cake (made by the children of course).'

Five men turned up and after a tour of the nursery each chose an age group to spend time with and also spoke to the staff. 'I am a secondary teacher, I don't know why I have been invited,' said Michael, one of our visitors. I was disappointed but answered, 'Just look on it as a chance to see younger children and you do get to have a coffee and a piece of cake (made by the children of course).'

We showed them the Sure Start video 'Men in Childcare' and then invited the men to ask questions of representatives from Jobcentre Plus, Children's Information Service, a training officer from the EYDCP and our nursery staff.

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