Settings need to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion if they are to recruit and retain men in childcare and education, believes Chrissy Meleady, chair of the pioneering Sheffield Children's Centre.
Throughout its 25-year history, the early excellence centre and Sure Start provider, which serves a financially impoverished inner-city community, has pioneered the employment of men in childcare.
Half of the 75 staff at the Centre are men, ranging from 18 to 65 in age and coming from diverse cultural backgrounds including Pakistani, Somali, Italian and Irish.
'Employing men shouldn't be seen as a distinct issue but as part of a wider equality agenda, in which everyone is treated equally regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disability,' says Ms Meleady.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
