Encouraging male apprentices into early years
Summary
The report found that there were a number of key issues facing the workforce including: • A large proportion of childcare workers are struggling financially, with low pay of £8.20 in 2018 – around 40 percent less than the average female worker, having experienced a pay cut in real terms in recent years • The sector faces recruitment problems in the short and long-term with providers frequently reporting difficulties in hiring staff, particularly well qualified staff that have full an ‘Early Years Educator’ status (Level 3 qualification) • The sector is ageing and faces an uncertain future (In 2018, around 90,000 workers were aged 55 or above and 37,000 (5.1%) were EU nationals working in childcare in England • The workforce has low qualifications, which could affect the quality of childcare provision One point for celebration was that the number of male workers in the childcare sector has increased. When we last reported on this issue, research showed that the percentage of the early years work force who were male was only 3%, but this has now increased to 7.4%, although this still remains very low. As with any institution of power, be it an early years setting or local, national or international government, problems can develop where certain sectors or society are not adequately represented. • Creating positive male role models for all children but especially to those who may not have a positive male figure in their life • It can help children who may have had only negative experiences of men build positive and safe, nurturing relationships with men • It can contribute to a more holistic environment which is more representative of society as a whole • Having a male perspective within a setting can challenge gender stereotypes about the roles of men and women in society • Provide a positive attitude to learning in young boys to help reduce the attainment gap often seen in later years • Men often bring a different dynamic to childcare and play which works to provide a more holistic experience for children overall • Having male early years practitioners may help fathers feel more comfortable in attending these environments • Present a positive message to society of the role of men in childcare generally The problem of recruiting more males into the early years workforce has been reported by the EPI in their latest report such as the low pay, the qualifications, and the status that early years workers are sometimes perceived to have in society. Despite inroads into society’s perception of who should provide childcare, and more men staying at home to look after their own children, we are not seeing this attitude cross over into the early years workforce.
