Home / Education / UK Launches Campaign to Recruit More Fathers for Nursery Jobs
UK Launches Campaign to Recruit More Fathers for Nursery Jobs
30 Jul
Summary
- Only 3 out of 100 early years workers are men
- Government offering £1,000 incentive to attract new staff
- Expanded childcare offer coming in September
The UK government is making a concerted effort to recruit more fathers into the early years education sector. According to the Department for Education, currently only 3 out of every 100 workers in the early years industry are men.
To address this gender imbalance, the government is launching a new campaign called "Do Something Big." The campaign will feature advertisements on social media, billboards, and railway displays, showcasing men engaged in childcare activities like painting and playing with children.
Education minister Stephen Morgan emphasized the importance of having a diverse mix of role models for young children. He noted that "children thrive when they're supported by a diverse mix of role models and that starts in the early years."
The government is also offering a £1,000 payment incentive for new early years staff in 38 priority regions across England. This is timed to coincide with the expansion of the childcare offer in September, when eligible parents will be able to receive 30 hours of funded childcare per week for children aged 9 months to 2 years old.
The minister expressed the government's commitment to "backing nurseries to recruit the staff they need and encouraging more men to consider this rewarding career."
