Fathers, men and childcare Early Years Forum Thom Crabbe Working with Fathers 2005

Background to Daycare Trust’s work Core Daycare Trust issues –Childcare Workforce & Equalities National Childcare Week, June 2003 –Unprecedented interest and coverage (on going) –MORI Survey/Famous Fathers/Men’s work?/He who cares wins Building support and trust of Sure Start Unit –National Recruitment Event, March 2004 –Work in Strategic Contract 2004/05,05/06 Committed and determined –Delivery team and contacts

Quick reminder of the issues 1-2%, despite a 6% target by 2004 Established attitudes of : men and boys, mums and dads, workers, employers, training colleges, careers services… our society. Low status, low pay, poor prospects “Not a job for a man”

But… Some examples of success/progress, men in childcare champions Changing nature of work and careers in the sector Social attitudes may be changing Increasing discussion of gender dimensions of work and care Basic need for an expanding workforce

Our methods Built on significant interest at national recruitment event LAs invited to express interest – 50 did so 38 in fuller detail Development of resources and materials 8 local consultancy pilot projects underway –Birmingham, Telford & Worcs, Herts & Beds, West Yorks ( Wakefield, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees), York, North East (G’head, Durham, Stockton, Darlington, N’umberland) West London ( Ealing, H&F,Richmond, Hounslow), Rotherham

Key strands of our work so far Local action plans General and focussed awareness raising –Public messages, influencing key audiences men,employers, training providers Specific focus on generating and processing male enquirers –Advertising, male only tasters and into training, tracking (and supporting) enquirers

Support to male workers –Mentoring, peer group, routine support, working with female colleagues,’gender talk’ and resilience Changing expectations of work in the sector –Work with school careers services, Connexions, LSC, work experience –Case studies, role models, career pathways Extending existing work with fathers and men –Building on positive experience and tradition Making it a core issue –Building conviction and skills in LA teams –Rotherham £150k LSC funding over three years

Next steps Continuing to make progress with local projects, following up into 2005/06 Revising resources and materials from experience for wider use Dissemination via regional workshops, write ups and additional local work Future campaigning work to maintain momentum Working with other organisations PLA, Fathers Direct, EOC Men in Childcare Network

Fathers and childcare A tradition of involvement to be built on Father-friendly childcare Choosing childcare Fathers,mothers and the economics of childcare Fathers - less comfortable with male childcarers ?

Issues for discussion Is more men working in childcare a good thing, and why ? How might work with fathers better assist the recruitment of male childcare workers ? What practical steps could be made to make childcare more father-friendly ? How we do influence future attitudes of boys to fatherhood and working with children ?

Thank you For further information and discussion please contact x 208