Nursery World - Nursery Management: Male staff

Many mothers are keen to see more males working in early years settings. Mary Evans explains how Paint Pots is leading the way.

Most parents using childcare want to see more men working in the sector, according to a recent survey by the Children's Workforce Development Council.

Currently around 3,000 men work in the sector, making up just 2 per cent of the workforce.

The CWDC survey found that 55 per cent of parents wanted to see men working in their child's nursery, while two-thirds of lone mothers said they would like a man to be involved in the care and development of their young children.

Four men work at the Paint Pots nurseries in Southampton, says David Wright, who runs the chain with his wife Anna. Apart from Mr Wright, who has attained Early Years Professional Status, the men on the team are his son Joseph, who works part time, Ben Haigh, who runs the baby unit at the chain's Swaythling setting, and David O'Mahoney, who is studying to be a child psychotherapist and works a day a week at each of the four nurseries.

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