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By Rachel Lawler

 

The Department for Education (DfE) has a £30,000 grant to help encourage more men to consider careers in the early years sector.

 

The DfE said that the project, which will be run by the Fatherhood Institute, would help remove barriers that prevent men from entering the sector including “the myth that men are less suited to caring roles”.

 

The project will offer settings practical resources including mythbusters, how-to guides and online content aimed at supporting male recruitment into the sector.

 

The project will also include a national conference aimed at promoting early years careers to men.

 

Children and Families Minister Nadhim Zahawi commented: “Just as parenting is a shared responsibility, so is kick-starting a child’s love of learning. I want more men to play a positive role in educating and caring for our next generation.”

 

Dr Jeremy Davies, head of communications at the Fatherhood Institute added: “We want careers advisers and employers to reach out and support men into early years work – including dads and other men with experience of looking after children, and those who have the interest and skills to build on. We all understand the importance of helping women into STEM careers; this is the other side of the same coin.