How would you feel about having a male daycare provider for your child?

Question

Happily married.
Father of a 3 year old.
Gave up mid level management.
Just curious how the public would recieve it.
Let me have it...just try to keep it constructive.

Thank you for all the honesty.
Is it fair to say that the majority would feel more comfy bringing the older tots/preschool?

No offense, and great thanks, to the ladies, but if you have a male significant other, or know a single dad, please try to get there honest opinion. If I pursue this, I want as many obvious issues addressed as possible.
Any suggestions for follow up YA question posts? I feel collectively we may find potential pitfalls that, if found, I might not fall in them.

Answer 1

I think its great that you are doing it. I would take my child to you, if I had a child. I think more men need to get in to education because both girls and boys need positive male role models. I am a eighth grade special education teacher and I have so many young men and women who don't have any positive role models who are male in their life. Just be prepared for all the people who might say things like you are not a real man, asking you if you are gay, asking why you couldn't get a "real" job, or if you are a child molester. Horrible things, and you certainly don't deserve to have said to you. My fiancee was going to college to be a special ed elementary teacher and whenever he would do practicums in the schools, he would get treated so badly that he gave it up. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

No problem at all. There aren't enough male role models for young children as things are.
Children are very much influenced by their carers, and their carers attitudes and a man is just as capable of being nurturing as a woman.
Your only problem will be to overcome the prejudices around you. Make sure you have had all the proper checks done for daycare providers and exhibit these clearly.
Word of mouth is a wonderful thing, and once you start, if people are happy with you, the word will get around.
Then suddenly you will be the novelty and people wont be able to get enough of you!
Good luck!
For parenting tips try my site:
http://parents-in-a-pickle.com

Answer 3

Are you kidding? I'd be over the moon!

My son's current nursery school is staffed exclusively by women. Nothing wrong with that. But his hero is the male gym teacher at the adjacent elementary school (it's a Catholic childcare center/elementary school complex). He's so excited to spend time with Mr. E during their weekly outing to the "big kid" gym.

I think a lot of parents would feel the same, especially single mothers looking for more men in their kids' lives.

Answer 4

I took a child care/child development class in college last year and this "issue" came up. My professor, who is also the director of her daycare, said she had a father start drama about a male teacher in her school. From what I can remember most of the parents were cool with him, though.

My classmates, most of whom work in daycare centers, explained that male teachers are not that common and many parents do have problems with them being around their children.

If I had kids and they were to be put in your care, I would have to get to know you and see what you're all about.. just like I would do with anyone else.

Good luck.

Answer 5

As long as I know the man, and he checked out okay... I would not have a problem. I have baseline questions that the provider must pass for me to be comfortable with them. It would also depend on how many children he had in his care also. Some men can not handle more than two children at a time. Have you seen Daddy Day Care? It is a children's movie yes, but it is proof that there are men out there that can handle children. The family I am a nanny for has 6 children and I would trust my child to the father to them.. But, like I said, I would have to know the man and he would have to pass my test..

Answer 6

You have as much a chance of being a daycare provider for my child as a woman. I see very little difference in the genders when it comes to providing temporary childcare. I would grill the heck out of you on your practices, standards, morals, values, credentials, experience, and history just as I would for a woman.

Edit: My husband said that he wouldn't care either. He would probably trust me judgement. LOL I guess you'd have to deal with me!!

Answer 7

i worked in a daycare for 4 years and throughout those years there were a few different men who worked there also. it is great for the kids. they like having a man around, especially those who don't have one in their home lives. i would have no problem leaving my daughter in a daycare with a man because i know that background checks are done (or supposed to be) in liscensed daycares.

Answer 8

My daughter's favorite preschool teacher was a male - a big guy with dreadlocks and earrings, who was *fantastic* with kids. If it's in a daycare or preschool environment with other teachers around, it's fine!

Answer 9

I think it would be a great option for single mothers. It would give them the opportunity to expose their children to a male figure of authority.

Answer 10

Depends on the person......can't hire a female just because she is a female....look at the shaken babies! Good God, just because you are a female does not make you a better provider. If the guy is responsible, intelligent, etc I would be open to it.