Nursery World - View from the bridge (1)

Early years practitioners in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland say what the important training issues are from their perspective Ian Maxwell, co-ordinator, Men in Childcare Scotland, and deputy director of One Parent Families Scotland:

Ian Maxwell, co-ordinator, Men in Childcare Scotland, and deputy director of One Parent Families Scotland:

'"Is this a new male preserve?" suggested the headline on a recent newspaper article about men working in childcare. The accompanying picture showed male childcare students and children at Edinburgh's Telford College.

'While I'm not suggesting that men are about to monopolise staff jobs in nurseries throughout the land, the article does mark a breakthrough. After years of talking, a significant number of men have been recruited to take part in childcare courses at Edinburgh colleges. With support from Edinburgh's Sure Start fund, 40 students have been recruited so far for 20-week evening taster courses, and five have gone on to full-time college training.

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