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Daycare Trust respond to CWDC survey on men in childcare

19 January 2009 - Daycare Trust respond to a survey published today by the Children’s Workforce Development Council which shows that 55% of parents want a male childcare worker for their nursery aged child

NEWS RELEASE

EMBARGO 19/01/09 00.01

CONTACT: DAYCARE TRUST PRESS OFFICE, 020 7840 3350, OUT OF HOURS 0780-4508768

Responding to a survey published today by the Children’s Workforce Development Council which shows that 55% of parents want a male childcare worker for their nursery aged child, Daycare Trust joint chief executive Emma Knights said:

“Our recent report with the TUC ‘Raising the bar’, showed that the childcare workforce is 98% female.

“Far too many people still view working in childcare as women’s work, but the CWDC survey shows that parents, especially single parents, want to see more men working in childcare settings.

“To encourage more men to consider working in childcare the Government must take action to tackle the poor pay and conditions suffered by childcare workers. A report by the Low Pay Commission in 2007 claimed that in the childcare sector over 10 per cent of jobs were paid at the adult National Minimum Wage, and nearly 20% were paid below it.

“In Norway, the percentage of men working in Childcare stands at 8.8 per cent, at least four times the figure in England and Wales, because pay and status for childcare workers there are closer to parity with other children’s sector workers such as teachers.”

Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Download a copy of the Daycare Trust/TUC report ‘Raising the bar’ here:

Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity, campaigning for quality affordable accessible childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers. We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues. We recognise that everyone is unique and we value difference in our communities. We listen to all views and are committed to act without prejudice. We oppose all discrimination and promote equality in all we do.

Daycare Trust is calling on the government to:

• Meet parents' aspirations for universal childcare services by:
  • expanding free places for two, three and four-year olds to at least 20 hours a week, for 48 weeks in the year and
  • subsidising out of school activities for all 11-14s and for younger children from poorer families, aiming ultimately to make them free.
• Tackle the affordability crisis by giving local authorities the means to develop sustainable services in poorer areas and provide free places for those missing out, including places for disabled children, parents needing out of hours care, Further Education students and parents of under-threes who want to train.
• Raise the bar on childcare quality by expanding the Graduate Leader Fund, developing a new generation of childcare professionals and paying them properly.

Daycare Trust’s Information Line on 0845 872 6251 offers information to parents, employers and professionals on childcare options and financial help with childcare costs now also offers a telephone interpretation service.

Opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-1pm and 2-5pm & Wednesday 2-5pm.

Daycare Trust is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, www.ecpc.org.uk.

For further information, contact press office at Daycare Trust on 020 7840 3350, ext 217 (out of hours 0780-4508768).

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