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Posted by
Kathy Brodie on April 27, 2013.
David Wright, together with his wife Anna, runs Paint Pots nurseries in Southampton. Their son Joseph has recently joined the family business. Paint Pots comprises 7 settings – 5 day nurseries, 2 preschools. Their motto is ‘Love, Laughter and Learning.’
David has already had a successful and substantial career in IT, before entering into the childcare business. Together with his wife Anna they set up Paint Pots Day Nursery after Anna’s pre-school outgrew their house.
Here David discusses his philosophy that “boys and girls need men and women”. He also has some marvellous tips on encouraging men into the setting – including Pirates!
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You can find out more about Paint Pots nurseries in Southampton, including David’s blog, at: www.paintpotsnursery.co.uk
And you can follow David on Twitter at: @Mr_Paintpots
This is the second podcast in my series of podcasts on Men in Early Years Childcare. You can subscribe to get the podcasts automatically on iTunes by clicking here:
If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review on iTunes too – it helps to promote the podcast and get it to reach a wider audience.
Featured
Posted byKathy Brodie on April 10, 2013.
Author of the “50 Fantastic Things … ” series of practical, fun and unusual ideas, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is also well known for his consultancy and Conferences.
Alistair has proved that being a man in Early Years Childcare is not only possible, but can also be inspiring for others – both men and women.
In this podcast interview, Alistair and I chat about what drew him to the Early Years sector, how settings can be more appealing to men and some of his funniest moments. As engaging as ever, Alistair also gives some great advice for any men who are thinking of joining the sector.
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To find out more about Alistair and his work, visit www.abcdoes.com
This is the first in my series of podcasts on Men in Early Years Childcare. You can subscribe to get the podcasts automatically on iTunes by clicking here:
If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review on iTunes too – it helps to promote the podcast and get it to reach a wider audience.
Featured
Posted byKathy Brodie on January 28, 2009.
In the Times Educational Supplement (TES) on the 23rd January there was an enlightening article about the Daycare Trust attracting more men into the Early Years sector.
The first reason given for the lack of men was the ‘work’s low status’. By whose standards? Is it because playing with the children is seen as a bit of an easy life?
The second reason given is low pay. The TUC and Daycare Trust found pay was between 19.60 pounds per hour and 8.70 pounds per hour in 2007. This was, presumably, in the state sector as pay in the private, voluntary and independent sector is much lower than this, as a glance at jobs advertised in the Nursery World Magazine indicates (and they tend to be the ‘best’ jobs!).
The third reason was the high proportion of women in the sector. I can sympathise and empathise totally with this, having previously worked in an industry predominantly male. However, if you have an interest and enjoyment of the work this should not stop you.
Marlon, an early years educator who is case studied in the article, says that he comes from a large family and always had children around. I think this is the key to the problem. Unless men are allowed to come into our nurseries and settings and enjoy being with children they will never aspire to work with them. Many women enter childcare after having children and enjoying the mums and tots sessions, or spending time at the nursery.
We should be encouraging our settings to involve dads and male carers more. They have skills and life experiences which should be shared. Children need all sorts of role models to help them make sense of the world. And what an excellent time to do it, when all sorts of stereotypes are beginning to be seriously challenged.
Kathy Brodie on April 27, 2013.
David Wright, together with his wife Anna, runs Paint Pots nurseries in Southampton. Their son Joseph has recently joined the family business. Paint Pots comprises 7 settings – 5 day nurseries, 2 preschools. Their motto is ‘Love, Laughter and Learning.’ 
In the Times Educational Supplement (TES) on the 23rd January there was an enlightening article about the Daycare Trust attracting more men into the Early Years sector.