Parents voice overwhelming support for more men in childcare

22 July 2011 1 min read Janaki Mahadevan Early Years

Parental opinion on male childcarers is warming after a survey by a group of major nursery providers found 98 per cent of parents are in favour of men looking after their children.

The Major Providers’ Group, made up of 14 of the largest nursery chains in the UK, has found that the vast majority of the 1,200 parents questioned would be happy for men to work with children aged three to five in day nurseries.

The figure fell slightly to 95 per cent for those working with two-year-olds and further still to 93 per cent for men working with babies, reflecting concerns among parents about men changing nappies.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and a member of the Major Providers’ Group, said: "Parental attitudes have been long-held to be a barrier preventing men from working in childcare. However, our surveys suggest this is no longer the case.

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