Bliss Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 We are about to recruit our first male member of staff. He has never worked in early years before, but his job description is the same as a practitioner - he is planning to study for qualifications, etc, and we will support him in his role alongside his female colleagues. I wondered how other settings have managed to successfully integrate a male member of staff, both with colleagues, but particularly with parents/carers. I am hoping there will be no negative comments, but need to be prepared just in case. I have no qualms about the children thoroughly enjoying having a male about! Many thanks for any advice/experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlettangel Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 We have never had a permanent male member of staff but have had two male students! Had no issues with either and the children loved them both! No parent ever said anything that I got to hear about anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barcombeplaygroup Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I have a male member of staff who has been with me for two years now. We have never had any negative feedback from parents and in fact have had two parents who have specifically asked that their children come the days that he works as they do not have a male influence at home. The children adore him and he is a valued member of our staff team. People are happy to accept male primary school teachers so why not male early years practitioners. Hope it goes well for you, 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredbear Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 We have a male member of staff. He has been with us for five years, and is a valued and much loved member of our team. We have never had any issues, but was ready to listen and discuss any queries, if they arose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest youngrisers Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Our male student was adored by all the children especially the boys, because he was a student he could not change nappies but was able to dress children in their coats, assist with willies and generally play brilliant games with the children. Visiting Norway was a surprise some years ago as the male ratio to female staff numbers are higher than here. There the male staff do the same roll as the female staff including changing children, clearing away and planning. in fact they led whole nursery activities and groups of mixed age children by themselves. It was a wonder to :rolleyes: see and experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynned55 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Hmmmm..................youngrisers I assume (well I'm hoping) you mean he assisted with 'wellies'??????????????? 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catma Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I wondered how other settings have managed to successfully integrate a male member of staff, both with colleagues, but particularly with parents/carers ...Wouldn't this just be the same as any other new member of staff... If we start with an assumption that a man is something to be carefully managed in the eyes of parents where does that lead us I wonder? Cx 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lashes2508 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 We had a member of staff who was male , was overjoyed at the prospect of him joining us but he left after a few months , because he was male ? No , he really just wanted to glean as. Uh as possible before opening his own setting. At interview he talked the talk just was not able to walk the walk. Parents felt he was not that approachable and sadly it was down to personality not gender, I would thoroughly embrace more male workers and why is it we are surprised they change nappies etc , ? After all it's what a dad would do ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bliss Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Many thanks for your responses - and I am with you, Catma. That is what I hoped I would hear just to confirm my own thoughts. He has lasted the week, so hopefully will be wearing the T-shirt on Monday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vogue Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Just thought I'd add that we have a male member of staff and he's a real asset. Since he joined us (as a student) we have had parents who are a bit sniffy about it on open days or when they start, so we very nicely point out that we're lucky to have him as a member of our team and remind them that they can always speak to us if they have a specific concern about any particular member of staff. We never hear any more - presumably because their children are taking home positive stories of what they've been doing with him, rather than whatever their pre-conceived ideas were. The proof of the pudding is in the eating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 Would love a male practitioner, not personally u understand but to add a new and exciting dimension to our setting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest youngrisers Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 whoops typo there with one word just shows you need to check spellings more frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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