Dundee centre with two men on the team backs drive to bring more males into childcare sector

A Dundee nursery is leading by example in efforts to redress the gender imbalance when it comes to male workers in the childcare sector.

With two young men on its team, Balgillo Nursery has used Scottish Apprenticeship Week to highlight the issue and let others know what a “fantastic” career it can provide.

The pair represent 10% of the workforce at the nursery, owned by Pamela Gall and Kim Lee.

Figures have shown just 2% of the UK early years workforce and 14% of primary school teachers are male.

The Balgillo Nursery duo met Dundee East MSP Shona Robison as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which has taken the theme of Talent Without Limits in an effort to challenge outdated and limiting views of apprenticeships.

They are modern apprentice support worker John Walsh, 19, and 21-year-old Ryan Williamson, who recently qualified as an early years practitioner having been initially taken on as an apprentice.

Ms Gall said: “There has traditionally been a very low male representation in this sector and we are keen to try and redress this balance.

“With diversity at the very top of the agenda across all areas of life, we should be setting an example to children that both men and women play a role in their education and their lives more generally.

“More also needs to be done at school level to encourage diversity across all professions, to showcase the career paths pupils can pursue, and to highlight the long-term opportunities available to them,” she added.

John is currently working towards a SVQ Social Services Children and Young People qualification through training provider Azilo Training.

He said: “Schools need to do much more to encourage pupils to consider a career in childcare and to show that it’s a career for everyone regardless of gender.

“Some children don’t have male role models so we have the potential to make a real difference and help children see the strengths both males and females can bring to their education and their lives.

“It’s a really rewarding job, and fantastic seeing the children develop and progress.”

He added: “I hope to make a longterm career in early years education, to build on my qualifications and continue to make a difference.”

“

We should be setting an example to children that both men and women play a role in their education and their lives more generally. PAMELA GALL

Picture: Kim Cessford. Newly qualified Ryan Williamson with youngsters at Balgillo Nursery.