men in childcare - my experience

[Lorina]

NO NO definitely not! Please don't take it that way at all! I think that males should work in childcare it benefits the children and dynamics of educators so much. However, there are some families that just don't like it... I didn't mean to offend you at all not my intention at all!

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Lorina

[Glennyman]

all good

[Lorina]

Please can you remove the "newbie" label also, I am not new to anything guys and have been working with children since the 80`s off and on

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Lorina

[Mychael Lewis]

I'm amazed and saddened to read that other males have had less then great experiences in childcare. Being a male, yes, it's a rough road as we get looked at a bit differently. I had a parent ask a co-worker of me, "does he even have a Bluecard?" Ignorance is our largest issue. Not so much from others in childcare, but from parents. That being said, I've never been treated as anything less then welcomed by every parent of every child I've ever cared for! I normally get statements like, "I think there needs to be more men in childcare...", which often feels like they've noticed I'm male more than I've noticed I'm male.

[fchaudari76]

I've worked with some very dedicated males and who were much appreciated by the children and their parents/families.
I think it's more about educating families to understand that male or female we all are qualified and cleared to work with children.
Yes pay needs to be better and as usually being the main breadwinners for the families it is harder for males to stay in early childhood sectors unless they are teachers.

[linsaa fdc]

Hi Everyone,

My little grandson was in care with me in [FDC] for 4 years, but in the last quarter of last year he went to a centre to get used to being in a large group and not with family. My grandson had a wonderful male Educator that he adored and couldn't wait to go to "my little school" as he called it. We all thought the male Educator was fantastic as well. It really is a shame there isn't more in childcare, I think we are all missing out.