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Man oh man! The decline of men in early years

Blog
Jordan Tully
12 Aug 2025

"Why?"

That’s the word that keeps echoing in my mind lately.

Why, after years of campaigning and raising awareness, are we still seeing the percentage of men in the early years sector fall?

The figure, which hovered at 3% for far too long, has dropped again, to just over 2%. On paper, that might not seem like a dramatic shift. But emotionally? Professionally? It’s disheartening. Especially after what felt like a breakthrough in 2023/2024, a period filled with campaigns, momentum, and genuine progress toward greater representation.

And yet, despite it all… the numbers fell.

From awareness to action

Last year, I had the privilege of speaking with the brilliant Cheryl Warren, an award-winning neurodiversity specialist, on my podcast ‘Exploring Early Years with Jordan Tully’. While we weren’t specifically discussing men in early years, our conversation hit home.

She spoke about the vital need to shift from awareness to acceptance, and it got me thinking even further:

It’s time we moved from awareness, to acceptance, to action.

“Awareness tells us there’s a problem. Acceptance means to acknowledge it. But action? That’s where real change begins”

We all know there's a lack of male representation in the early years workforce. That’s no longer up for debate, its not a shock, its not new news. So instead of continuing to just highlight the problem, we must be more curious and begin asking:

• Why is this still happening?
• Why is the percentage of men in primary schools higher than in early years?
• Why hasn’t inclusive messaging been enough to shift the trend?

The power of representation

Once we understand the "why," we can focus on the "how":

• How can we attract a more diverse workforce?
• How can we break down outdated stereotypes and systemic barriers?
• How can we ensure young children benefit from seeing a workforce that reflects the real world?

Because this goes far beyond simply recruiting and hiring. It’s about the impact.

Why gender diversity matters in early years

• Children benefit from a wide range of role models, helping them understand that care, empathy, and leadership come in all forms.
• Men bring unique life experiences, contributing to well-rounded learning environments.
• Mixed-gender teams challenge stereotypes and promote equality from the earliest age.
• A diverse workforce fosters creativity, broadens curriculum delivery, and encourages richer, more meaningful conversations.
• Positive male role models can especially support boys in emotional development, behaviour regulation, and forming secure attachments.

Let's hear it for the boys

Men belong in early years. Their contributions are not just valuable, they're essential. They model positive masculinity, break down gender norms, and help prepare children for a diverse, balanced society.

When children are exposed to a workforce that reflects a range of genders, backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences, they begin to understand the world in all its richness. They are better prepared for the realities of life beyond the nursery walls, whether that’s in primary school, secondary school, their future workplace, or their communities.

Children need to see themselves, and others, in the people who care for and educate them.
This kind of inclusive representation helps build empathy, respect, and a deeper understanding of others from the very start of their learning journey.

A workforce that mirrors the diversity of the society children are growing up in sends a powerful message: You belong, I belong, We all belong.

Looking ahead: The rest of 2025

In 2023/24, I saw real progress. Campaigns became louder. Imagery and messaging became more inclusive. Men in the sector gained more visibility. But this decline shows us: visibility alone doesn’t create systemic change.

So as we step into the second half of 2025, I challenge all of us in the sector:

• Keep raising awareness, but don’t stop there. • Move to acceptance, recognise the depth and root causes, be more curious. • Drive action, through inclusive hiring practices, outreach, education, and storytelling.

Final reflection

Ask yourself:

Am I raising awareness alone, or am I helping to drive action too?

If you’re doing both, keep going.
If you’re only just starting, you’re not too late.

We need to work together. For our sector. For our staff. But most importantly, for our children.

Let’s hear it for the boys. And let’s create an early years sector where everyone belongs.

Jordan Tully

Author

Jordan Tully

Managing Director

Toots Day Nursery Group

Jordan is an experienced early years professional specialising in operations, leadership, and management. Jordan is Managing Director of Toots Day Nursery Group and has a passion for all things early years with several years of experience in leadership roles within the sector.