Men in Early Years

This semester a student on the Foundation Degree in Early Years Childhood Studies course addressed the issue of men working in the early years sector as part of her Independent Study Module assessment.

For the assessment, students produce a 5,000-word independent study.

The students enjoy this module assessment because it allows them to focus on an Early Years issue of their choice. The student then produced a literature review and carried out questionnaires and interviews to investigate ‘Parental and practitioner views on men working in Early Years settings’.

Her project included capturing views relating to men taking on a caring role. More men are to be encouraged into careers in nurseries and Early Years settings, in a new project run by the Fatherhood Institute.

The project wants to provide role models that are more diverse for children in Early Years settings. In April 2019 Nadhim Zahawi, the Children and Families Minister announced a £30,000 grant to support the scheme and help provide more male role models for children in the early years.

With men making up just 3% of early years staff in England, the project aims to break down the barriers that prevent men entering careers in children’s early education, including the myth that men are less suited to caring roles.

The project aims to challenge the stereotypes that exist around men’s roles in early education, using relatable case-studies from men who have left other careers, including a young art student and an ex-lorry driver. Paula Walsh Lecturer Early Years Childhood Studies (BA)