Matt Leslie can’t see what the fuss is all about.
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“We as educators are here for the children. We’re here to educate and to care for them and I don’t believe that your gender impacts your ability to do that,” Mr Leslie said.
But the long-time childcare worker knows from personal experience that people outside the industry aren’t always in agreement.
Working in an industry where female educators represent 95 per cent of the workforce, Mr Leslie is fortunate to work for Big Fat Smile, which strongly supports more males in the industry.
I change nappies, devise and implement programs and, modesty aside; I have a very strong rapport with children.
- Matt Leslie
In fact the organisation is bucking the trend, with an early education and care workforce that has more than 40 per cent more male educators than the national average.
Seven per cent of Big Fat Smile’s staff are men.
The 2016 census data reveals that female educators represent 95 per cent of the industry workforce across Australia, compared to 4.9 per cent of male educators.
Big Fat Smile CEO Jenni Hutchins said the organisation was proud to support more diversity in the workforce and hoped to see the typical female-dominated industry reach a more stable gender equality balance.
“A balanced teaching environment allows children to better reflect on the real gender mix in society, in which they must learn to navigate, and it’s the children and their families that will reap the benefits,” she said.
The issue of gender equality in the childcare industry is echoed worldwide, with a recent observational study indicating there essentially isn’t a difference between the care provided by males compared to females.
The study found despite the misconceptions, male and female educators showed the same levels of attention, sensitivity, and stimulation toward boys and girls.
I’ve been encouraged to have a voice as I advocate for men in the industry, and the fact that I even have male colleagues means we’re on the right track.
- Matt Leslie
Mr Leslie, the director of Big Fat Smile’s Woronora Community Preschool, added that studies show that experiencing diversity in the early years, enhances children’s creativity and innovation.
“Studies have also shown that children who are exposed to diversity early on, tend to show more empathy as adults,” he said.
But Mr Leslie said unfortunately though assumptions around his ability to care for children were still prevalent.
“I used to let it affect me, but now I actually see it as an advantage,” he said.
“Having worked in the industry for so long, I know there’s no difference in the care I provide, compared to my female colleagues. I change nappies, devise and implement programs and, modesty aside; I have a very strong rapport with children.
“I’ve been encouraged to have a voice as I advocate for men in the industry, and the fact that I even have male colleagues means we’re on the right track.”