Moving beyond 3 percent: Recruiting more men into early years

Drawing on personal experience, research and the Greater Than 3 mentor programme, Robert Harris explores why men remain underrepresented in early childhood. He considers the impact of gender diversity on children, the stigma and gatekeeping men can face, and how mentorship, representation and more inclusive pathways could help create lasting change across the profession.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/moving-beyond-3-percent-recruiting-more-men-into-early-years/

This episode is in partnership with Male Childcare and Teaching Jobs.

Male Childcare and Teaching Jobs advocate for greater male participation in education and caregiving roles, offering support and guidance to enhance gender inclusion in nurseries and schools.

To find out more visit: https://malechildcareandteachingjobs.co.uk/

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Episode break down:

00:00 – Introduction to Dan Berman and Robert Harris
01:24 – The benefits of greater male presence in early childhood
03:54 – Male role models, play and challenging gender norms
07:30 – The three per cent figure and barriers within infant care
10:05 – Introducing the Greater Than Three mentor programme
15:06 – Creating intentional pathways into the profession
16:51 – DC Men in ECE and the importance of collective advocacy
20:05 – Racial and cultural representation within the workforce
23:22 – Being a Black male educator: visibility, scrutiny and advocacy
25:07 – Stigma surrounding sexuality and safeguarding
29:10 – Challenging bias in recruitment and hiring
30:18 – Retention, judgement and low pay
31:32 – Children need to see what they can become
32:32 – Building stronger foundations for representation and advocacy
32:55 – Further reading and future conversations
33:41 – Closing reflections

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com