How many of you work with a man in the child care field or have a male child care provider at your child's centre? How do you feel about men in the child care field?
I took my Early Childhood Education Diploma both through Seneca College and Loyalist College. Out of all the courses I took to get my diploma, I had only one male in any of my classes. This student was fantastic. He had a real love for children, a willingness to learn, his projects were fantastic and creative. He would have been great addition to any daycare centre.
He did however have one problem...there was not one child care centre in our area that would allow him to do his field placement in their establishment. Without field placements he could not graduate. He was very discouraged, as you could imagine. He had taken the course after his nephews were born. This student had discovered he had a talent with young children and he really enjoyed spending time with them. I ended up leaving the school before I found out if he was ever allowed to graduate and I always hoped our paths would cross again somewhere in our field.
Today, as a supervisor, I would hire him in an instant based on his talent and passion for the job, however I also have to think of the parent's in my centre. How would they react to a male diapering and toilet training their children? Sadly, there is a stigma attached to men in child care. I have had the pleasure of working with only two men in the child care field over the span of six years, and both were in school-age programs where there is no diapering or toileting involved.
Perhaps this is why these men were more widely accepted. Although I must admit, there was more then one odd glance or derogatory comment made by parents about his choice of profession.
From these two experiences, I have come to realize the benefits of male staff in a child care centre:
- They work twice as hard to prove they are capable of handling the job.
- They have a natural ability with the older boys who are usually embarrassed to be attending daycare in the first place.
- They provide different styles of teaching, behaviour modification and life experiences which only improves the program.
- A well rounded childcare team is more representative of real life situations.
- They provide a strong male role model for the children in the centre.
- Men in the child care field help break the stereotype that child care as women's work.
Men make great parents, why not great child care workers too?
I agree - to me it is ridiculous in this day & age that anyone, regardless of their sex, would be treated this way in the workplace.
As parents we need to be mindful of how our actions are being viewed by our children - if they see or hear a parent being derogatory about one of their care givers, male or female, what are we teaching them?
I worked with a male in childcare and I have to say that he is one of the most fantastic people I have ever worked with.
Not only as a co worker but as a great childcare provider!
He was the school age teacher and did a fab job at it.
Some of the new parents were very concerned about him at first but as they got to know him, they found him to be great!
Never judge a book by its cover right?
More men should have equal opportunity in childcare with out people looking down upon them wondering if they are gay or pediphiles.
As a parent, I have to say I'm finding myself in this situation right now...and it is a struggle. There is a male daycare provider in my daughter's daycare. He is not her teacher, however the last couple of days my daughter has been brought into his classroom with him in the afternoon, because she is one of the later children to go home.It's my understanding, it is just the two of them. She is three. I don't have a problem with a male daycare provider, however I'm extremely uncomfortable having her with him alone. I don't know him. I don't allow her to be alone with any man, but her father so why would I be comfortable with her being with a stranger? I applaud his career choice and I'm sure he's good at what he does, but I'm a parent and it is my job to protect. I know that I'm not uncomfortable with her being alone with a female teacher and this is a double standard,but I also know that statistics show far more men in daycare provider situations molest than women. What is a parent to do? It's a little much to ask a parent to take a "wait and see" approach with something like this. I'd appreciate any advice, because I do feel bad that I'm concerned simply because he's a man.
I've worked in the daycare for 10 years and I've never been alone with a child in the bathroom without a female teacher around. I taught that to myself because I wanted to cover myself and not put myself in a bad situation like that. Over the years I've had parents trust with their children and I even would explain to them about how I handle potty training.
There are SO many kids who I think would benefit from a male worker. Lots of kids don't have a good male role model, and I've often wished we could find a good one - because our center would totally, 100% hire a male.
I think it's totally understandablet though, that parents would be iffy about them being alone with their young daughter - especially helping in the bathroom and that kind of thing. Nothing AT ALL against them, that's just one of those things. Especially until they get to really know you.
I don't see a problem. For me it's like asking if there should be male teachers! The one that I met that were teaching in elementary school (kindergarden to 3) were the best I have ever met. It is great for the kids to have a male model.
In any circonstance, I think it's very important that anyone make sure their back is cover. There's Woman that molested kids in the pass too, but people seems to forget it. In school, we are told to never go in the washroom with any kids. The kids as to do the best they can when it comes to wiping them self. And they few times that I did have to go, there was ALWAYS someone else with me.
If someone feels unconfortable with the person that is taking care of their child, I think it's there job to try to know this person more, so that way they won't worry as much for their child.
for any man that thinks of working in a creche,or with small children 3 and 4 years,let me tell who its not to hard and it can be done.
i work in a creche full time,i made myself go to collage,the only male in that course of 13 and so far the only male at other small courses that i have done over the last 3 years.being a parent of 2 children and an wonderful teacher in collage i made it through as a chilcare worker.
i deal with 37 parents a day,i let them see the trust in me,they leave me with their childrens lives every day.its down to me then to keep them balenced,i use to pratices the parents name in case i forgot!
you need to grt to know them let them into your life a bit,you give the trust.
i didnt come across any parents who took a dislike to me,and i work with 18 women every day,and kids who lisen to me..
A huge congrats to Darnell and Carrots for breaking the stereotype and excelling at a job normally dominated by women. Our profession has a lot to learn and could definitely use more guys like you!
Kudos!
I am in my final semester of early childhood education at Seneca College. And I too have only one male in my class. How do I feel about men in the child care field? I think it’s unfortunate that since from the time you were in school till now, the number of men in childcare is still low. We need to encourage more men to get involved because there are men that enjoy working with children but they have the fear that they will be labeled as a “pedophile” or “gay” and whatnot. Men and woman should both have the equality when it comes to child care for example sharing the same roles and responsibilities in the field. It is doesn’t matter about gender, it’s about what you can offer and bring to the job. More men should speak out and stand up for their rights and there is no such thing as a “manly” job or a “girly” job. As long as men and women enjoy what they are doing that’s all that matters.
Well said!!!!
I feel very positive about male workers in the field. I am a child care supervisor. I have graduated with an ECE diploma from Humber College as well as a Day Care Management Certificate from George Brown College. I have seen two men in my classes, and they were amazing! When I did my third placement there was a male teacher in the centre, the children listened to him and just adored him! He was so popular with the families, everyone respected and enjoyed having him at the centre. I believe it is time for people to look around themselves and realize that we are living in 2009 and the world has changed, if a woman can be a police officer why can't a man be in the ECE field? I don't get it.