Jimmy Saville child abuse scandal deters men from working in nurseries

Jimmy Saville child abuse scandal deters men from working in nurseries

[link to www.daynurseries.co.uk]

Men are put off from working in childcare because they fear they will be regarded as paedophiles due to high-profile child abuse cases such as the Jimmy Saville scandal, according to the London Early Years Foundation.

June O’Sullivan, chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) spoke at the launch of its London Network for Men in Childcare. The network aims to give support to men working in childcare and encourage more men to work in the early years sector.

Currently only two per cent of childcare workers in the UK are male.

Yet it is vital to encourage more men to join the childcare profession according to Ms O’Sullivan who added: “Research shows there are huge benefits from having men in nurseries, such as providing male role models, eradicating gender stereotypes and helping fathers engage with their children.”