Would A Male Director Keep You Away?

[Mike]

Men in daycare isn't very common, but it is slowly being accepted.

If the families already know you, I doubt there will be any issues. If they don't know you, some may worry, but most won't. If you want to do it, go for it. It never hurts to add more of us to the business.

[Stepping]

It wouldn't keep me away as I've worked with some excellent early childhood educators who are male. I also think it's important for children to see men in caring professions.
However, I have seen discrimination from parents. I once hired a male substitute teacher (he was the friend of an existing teacher at the daycare). He was excellent and a great gift to our daycare that day. Unfortunately, one family immediately pulled their child from care for the day and another family enquired out of 'concern' whether he would be coming back again.

I'm currently hiring and have a male teacher on my shortlist. I fully expect to lose at least two families if he is the final choice.

[Ariana]

Would not bother me as a parent. I would be THRILLED to see a male in some capacity caring for kids! Kids need it desperately. Men are different caregivers and that is what makes them awesome and NEEDED in care positions.

Unfortunately as a director you won't be much of a carer but you might be good at sidestepping the drama as most men are so that will be good! Go for it! Don't think twice about other peoples opinions.

[Mom2Two]

I would just say make the decision based on if it's something you really want to do. If you love the work, you'll be good at it. But I wouldn't do it for other reasons. People tend to not be that great at things they don't really want to be doing.

If you are a good fit for the job, and your mom wants this, then clients will just make their own decisions, as is their right.

[Mariahsaint]

That wouldn't impact my decision in any shape or form.

I judge by many things, but gender is not one of them.

[daycarediva]

There isn't one, but I'll be the cynic. This is a "safe" bias. If the question subbed a race/ orientation/ religion for "male' or if it was a woman in a "man's job", the condemnation would be swift and pretty much universal. But this one isn't perceived like those. Continuing to be cynical- I don't think it will change on large scale anytime soon. Directors who won't hire men won't land themselves in hot water with EEOC, parents who won't use a male provider won't be told they're discriminating against men, and providers who won't let husbands in "their" daycare won't be told they're belittling or diminishing their husbands instead of "protecting" them.

Sorry if that sounds harsh. Guess I woke up on the "Grouchy SOB" side of the bed this morning. In OP's case I don't think it will be a issue because of it being a family business and making the assumption he is already known there.

I agree there is huge discrimination and bias against men in ECE (and education in general)

Dh works in the trades and knows a few women in the field- he sees the discrimination first hand. The way the men talk about the female electrician and GC. It is not at all welcome.

[CityGarden]

I like men in the daycare center setting and school setting and I feel they add great value. I would however be less likely to enroll my daughter in a home setting with a male. I am not sure what it is abut the home setting that makes me more reluctant..... please don't bash me for being honest.

(That said I never put my child in a home setting and although they appeal to me for the cozy factor I am happy I was able to stay home with my dd.)

[Mike]

I agree there is huge discrimination and bias against men in ECE (and education in general)

Dh works in the trades and knows a few women in the field- he sees the discrimination first hand. The way the men talk about the female electrician and GC. It is not at all welcome.

In my home renovations years, I've met several professional women, and have hired a couple. I treat them as professionals, but I've seen others be very immature.

I like men in the daycare center setting and school setting and I feel they add great value. I would however be less likely to enroll my daughter in a home setting with a male. I am not sure what it is abut the home setting that makes me more reluctant..... please don't bash me for being honest.

(That said I never put my child in a home setting and although they appeal to me for the cozy factor I am happy I was able to stay home with my dd.)

It's a fact that a man running a home daycare will be frowned upon by many. Doesn't bother me at all. I fully understand why some don't believe in it. I'm sure that when I start, I will get some bashing and maybe even more, but the parents who do use my services will be very happy, and once I get going for a while, it won't be hard to find more clients if needed.

[CityGarden]

Men in daycare isn't very common, but it is slowly being accepted.

If the families already know you, I doubt there will be any issues. If they don't know you, some may worry, but most won't. If you want to do it, go for it. It never hurts to add more of us to the business.

It's a fact that a man running a home daycare will be frowned upon by many. Doesn't bother me at all. I fully understand why some don't believe in it. I'm sure that when I start, I will get some bashing and maybe even more, but the parents who do use my services will be very happy, and once I get going for a while, it won't be hard to find more clients if needed.

Both of these ring true for me. Yes if I knew the person (man or woman) I as a parent would feel more comfortable.
I wanted to add that I personally like having a 2nd teacher in the room most home providers in my local area are one woman shows or have "fill in" type helpers. As a teacher with all the accusations and liability teachers face now, I appreciate the 2nd set of eyes and that was something I knew I wanted when placing my daughter..... so for me it is more complex than just gender alone.

Also have you googled Teacher Tom? I love him and his energy AMAZING!

[DaveA]

I like men in the daycare center setting and school setting and I feel they add great value. I would however be less likely to enroll my daughter in a home setting with a male. I am not sure what it is abut the home setting that makes me more reluctant..... please don't bash me for being honest.

(That said I never put my child in a home setting and although they appeal to me for the cozy factor I am happy I was able to stay home with my dd.)

No bashing-To me there's a distinction between a parent making a decision based on comfort/ what they want and dealing with other ECE professionals and the industry. Do I agree with you or like it? No but it is what it is. Is it splitting the baby a bit? Yes but it's the difference between and .

When dealing with the industry it frustrates me because it really doesn't matter to me anymore. If someone waves a wand and says "No more men in childcare" I have other opportunities that I will enjoy doing full time. It isn't about me or even guys like Mike who've been around the block a few times and can deal with the idiots. What sends me into low earth orbit is the people wanting to get into this business. I had a decade of experience when I went back into childcare. I knew the industry and was good at it. And I had resumes thrown in the trash in front of me, told don't bother applying/ get out of the building, told I couldn't work with the ages I had the most experience with due to "risk", and had an Assistant Director tell my coworkers the Director "stuck" them with me till "she could do something about it". A couple of those experiences or classes with someone like that the professor I mentioned above and a lot of potentially really good teachers or providers are probably going to say F this and do something else. As much as I want to be optimistic, this is an area I'm very cynical about. And I will readily admit if I'm not in a good mood I can be a real SOB about my cynicism.

We're kind of hijacking OP's post. In his case I don't see it being a major issue. He might have the odd parent here or there, but as an administrator he won't have much blowback. I started in my mom's center. The only time I had issue was when she retired/ sold the center and I didn't take over. It closed a couple years later. I still have a former coworker that gives me grief over it.

[Mike]

Also have you googled Teacher Tom? I love him and his energy AMAZING!

Just did some reading from his blog. Very interesting. I like his way of thinking.

[CityGarden]

Just did some reading from his blog. Very interesting. I like his way of thinking.

I lovethislovethislovethis his approach.

[renodeb]

Interesting question,
are you already known at the center? I dont see it as an issue esp. being a family business. I would love to hear an update as time goes by.
Deb