Nursery World - Let men join this great club

By James Griffin, Northern Ireland's first male registered childminder, who lives in Bangor, Co Down I must admit the majority of my friends responded to the news of my attendance at the Northern Ireland Childminding Association (NICMA) course, 'Introduction to childminding pre-registration', with an astounded, 'Are you mad? It'll be full of women talkin' and talkin' and at the end of it you'll be stuck in the house all day with a few wee monsters! It'll do your head in, mate! Rather you than me.'

I must admit the majority of my friends responded to the news of my attendance at the Northern Ireland Childminding Association (NICMA) course, 'Introduction to childminding pre-registration', with an astounded, 'Are you mad? It'll be full of women talkin' and talkin' and at the end of it you'll be stuck in the house all day with a few wee monsters! It'll do your head in, mate! Rather you than me.'

It is sad for the children that in 'Norn-Iron', women expect this response from men. In private we all know the majority of men do not, thankfully, walk the walk after talking the above talk. In countries such as Norway, 20 per cent of all pre-school care is provided by men. Others have noted children being more balanced and confident when care is provided by both genders.

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