More men needed in childcare jobs

Fifty-two per cent of the 1,009 parents surveyed said they would like nursery settings to better reflect the real gender mix of the world, saying that men and women have different skills to offer young children.

The lack of male childcarers was a particular issue for children of single mothers, as 17 per cent of lone mothers said their child spent less than two hours a week with a man, while 36 per cent said their child had less than six hours.

Honor Rhodes, director of development at the Family and Parenting Institute said: "There are some children who, for one reason or another, have very little contact with male adults. I once worked with a family where the only adult male the little boy knew was the postman."

She added: "Having more male childcare workers would help children where there is an absence of male role models within their families and social worlds. Both small boys and girls benefit from the experience of receiving care from men so an early positive experience is ideal."

The survey showed that 59 per cent of parents say their childcare provision does not currently have a male worker.