Nursery World - Man to man

More men are finally being encouraged into working in childcare, but what approach works best? Judith Barrett hears from some involved Men constitute just 2 to 3 per cent of the early years workforce, but the push is on to recruit more.

Men constitute just 2 to 3 per cent of the early years workforce, but the push is on to recruit more.

Many local authorities have been targeting publicity specifically at men, with specially designed leaflets distributed in football grounds and leisure centres. Some have also run men-only taster courses.

Suffolk County Council advertised a course widely in local newspapers and on the radio. 'Previously, out of 15 to 20 people attending, we had one or two men at most,' says Elisa Bowdidge, childcare recruitment officer for the council. 'But on our course run just for men, we had 12.

'For one of the two days of the course, we had two men available for questioning - one a childminder, and the other a nursery officer.'

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