‘Are you sure you want to do this?’

Abstract

The percentage of men in the paid early years workforce in England stands at just two-to-three per cent, according to the DfE (2023a) . So it is safe to assume the number of men training for this is also small. Dr Simon Brownhill, senior lecturer at Bristol University, explores the motivations and challenges faced by one “brave” male EY trainee teacher, considering the implications of this knowledge base for practitioners and practice, particularly in relation to male recruitment in the sector.