For former petrol-pump attendant Anthony Duly, looking after young children hardly seemed an obvious career move. Nevertheless, watching him in the Sure Start creche in Chesterfield, it is clear he's a natural with children. The children look up at him, and shriek with joy while going about the serious business of play.
"When I leave for work, I know I will be paid to play," he enthuses. "But the job is about making a positive difference in children's lives."
Duly went into childcare just over a year ago, after attending an eight-week course run by the Childcare for Men project in Derbyshire. Since the initiative started in September 2003, it has received more than 90 calls from men interested in the scheme. Eighteen of these have since trained in childcare, taking courses part-time in practical play and play work, which are funded by the Government's Sure Start initiative through the Open College Network. Childcare for Men also covers subjects such as first aid, equal opportunities, child protection and disabilities.
"The project has been very successful and has connections to 180 work placements in Derbyshire," explains Debbie Bushell, childcare recruitment co-ordinator. "We've been inundated with calls from guys, and it's great when you hear a male voice on the end of the line."
Duly is now in high demand from local childcare projects; at one point he was working at three different placements in his area. "Local organisations really value having a man in a childcare environment," explains Duly, who is himself a dad. "Some children see me as a kind of role model and someone to latch onto."
Another success story from Childcare for Men is Ian Johnson. He previously worked in an office before considering a change of direction. "The thought of working in an office for the next 30 years filled me with dread," he admits. "I get a buzz and satisfaction working with children."
The gender barrier
While the project has been successful, men throughout the UK still face a number of barriers going into childcare. In a recent Mori survey of 2,000 adults, 56 per cent of respondents said they'd be suspicious of a man working in childcare, while 34 per cent agreed they would not want their children looked after by a man.
"Men still have to deal with stereotyped perceptions," explains Thom Crabbe, head of projects at the Daycare Trust. "They may also feel embarrassed going into childcare because the sector has always been dominated by women."
However, he believes that children benefit by having a male role model in their lives. For instance, an increasing number of children grow up in all-female environments until as late as secondary school. Reinforcing this, the same Mori survey found 57 per cent of adults felt that having male childcare workers, in a mixed-gender environment, was a major benefit.
Long-term benefits
Aside from the practical advantages, there are long-term benefits from a more mixed workforce. The underlying belief from local authorities is that if the childcare workforce is to grow, it needs to cast its recruitment net much wider.
"Research shows that if men see others already working in the sector, they are more likely to come forward," claims Bushell. "If more guys are employed in the work, it will raise the acceptance and profile of a male workforce."
Under its national recruitment campaign launched four years ago, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) set a target to recruit 180,000 new childcare workers in the UK by 2006. Of this figure, six per cent were to be men, and the department embarked on a national advertising campaign using television and local radio.
Sarah Nairne, who works on the campaign's recruitment policy, reveals that 15m has been awarded to 150 local authorities in the first three years. This money has been invested in initiatives such as induction courses, phone services, careers events and web sites. "The campaign prompted more than 200,000 calls and has raised awareness of men in childcare," claims Nairne. "Of these calls, six per cent were from men."
However, the DfES says there are no future targets to increase the number of men in childcare on a national level. The campaign now has a localised approach, with authorities encouraged to spearhead their own recruitment drives.
As a result, the Just for Men Campaign, introduced in July across three London boroughs - Hounslow, Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham - has been forging ahead with its drive for more male childcarers. Using eye-catching posters, the project trained 24 men through a series of workshops, covering important aspects of childcare. "There is no reason why men shouldn't consider a career in childcare," stresses Lena Engel, a co-ordinator for Just for Men. "In Hounslow, for instance, there are many men working in nurseries and as childminders. And we hope to run similar workshops like this in the future."
Secret weapon
The secret weapon in enticing male workers into the sector was presentations given by men already working in childcare. Trainees also learned about regulatory bodies for childcare and got advice about how to apply for a job. Finally, Just for Men offered courses leading to recognised qualifications.
Stephen Lucas, who is a father of two, previously worked for an oil exploration firm before he became involved with the project. "I do get funny looks when parents know I'll be looking after their children," he admits. "But once they see me at work, all their fears evaporate. I've always got on well with children and because my wife, Lesley, was a childminder, I decided to give it a go," he adds.
According to the Daycare Trust, projects in the north and south east of England have proved particularly successful. "Initiatives have been very effective in some regional areas, but there is room for improvement on a local level," says Crabbe. "To attract more men, there has to be more male-focused advertising rather than media campaigns aimed at both genders."
The Daycare Trust believes one way to get more men on board is by having fast-track programmes. These can be designed to speed up the process from an initial enquiry to men going on taster courses. Crabbe also says recruitment should be more proactive, for example by promoting childcare as a career to boys in school.
However, the Daycare Trust believes the sector's traditional low pay acts as a strong disincentive for many men. The National Day Nurseries Association, on the other hand, takes a more liberal view. "All caring professions, regardless of salary levels, are female dominated," claims Rosemary Murphy, the Association's chief executive. "It's society's perception to exclude men, and raising pay alone won't address the imbalance. We need to work to change perception."
To achieve this, Murphy says the sector needs to become a graduate profession with proper career paths. This, she predicts, will move it towards a more balanced workforce that is present in countries such as Denmark where, according to the Equal Opportunities Commission, the number of men in Danish after-school care has increased by 25 per cent in recent years, and five per cent in infant care.
Back in Derbyshire, Duly is greeted with warm smiles from children's parents at home time. They know from the look on their children's faces that they have had a fun-packed day. Duly gives them a cheery wave goodbye, happy in his job as a childcare worker.
TELL ME MORE
www.childcare-derbyshire.org
www.surestart.gov.uk
www.daycaretrust.org.uk
www.hounslow.gov.uk
www.ndna.org.uk
www.eoc.org.uk
www.ncma.org.uk
www.meninchildcare.com
CASE STUDY - Men in Childcare, overcoming the negative perceptions
Established in 2001, Men in Childcare has attracted 300 men to take part in childcare training courses in Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and Falkirk. The project has grown on the back of a huge publicity drive.
"The aim of Men in Childcare is to train more men in the sector and eliminate barriers," explains Kenny Spence, the project manager.
Men in Childcare, which is supported through a variety of funds from organisations such as the Edinburgh Childcare Partnership, the European Social Fund and the Scottish Executive, is popular with wannabe male childcarers. "Every time we run an advert we receive around 70 enquires," reveals Spence. "It shows men are taking the sector very seriously. We advertised in September, for instance, and had about 230 enquires throughout Scotland. Some 119 men then went on to training." The training courses comprise two eight-week modules, which cover an introduction to play and childcare development training.
Students can then progress to a Higher National Certificate in Childcare Education.
Derek Thompson started with Men in Childcare two years ago after working as a bakery manager with Safeway. He now works with children as a social worker. "Knowing that there were other guys on the course gave me the confidence to go into a sector dominated by women," he reveals.
Although his heart is set on social work, he reckons the course provides men with a wide range of opportunities in childcare. His current role in social work involves working in children and family centres.
However, Thompson plans to progress to a Higher National Certificate in Childcare and Education funded by a student loan. "A guy can bring a real dynamic into a childcare environment that women may not have," he adds. "Historically, men have had a bad press working in childcare. But I'm strong willed and won't let any prejudices affect my work."
