With World Teachers’ Day approaching, experts at the University of South Australia are warning that children are missing out because of a lack of male teachers in early childhood education.
Men make up less than 4 per cent of the workforce in early learning, and the number has barely shifted despite growing awareness that caring roles should be shared by both men and women. Most preschools and early learning centres across the country still operate without a single male educator.
Dr Martyn Mills-Bayne from UniSA says the situation cannot be ignored as South Australia rolls out three-year-old preschool. “For too long, gender stereotypes have undermined early childhood education with entrenched perceptions of men not being built for, or good at, educating young children,” he says.
According to Dr Mills-Bayne, the absence of male role models can shape the attitudes of the next generation. “Children, particularly boys, need to see positive male role models in early learning environments, because if there’s a lack of men, this will shape the next generation’s gender attitudes,” he says. “An engaged, responsible male role model can make a profound difference in a child’s life—improving their mental health, confidence, as well as cognitive and social development.”
He adds that visibility is key. “But you can’t be what you can’t see—and if we don’t normalise men in caring roles, we’re doing our children, and society, a real disservice.”
Scrutiny of men in the sector has been heightened by disturbing allegations of child abuse in childcare centres in Melbourne. Dr Mills-Bayne acknowledges that stigma and fear of judgement are among the biggest reasons men avoid these careers. “We know that many men avoid early childhood careers because of fears and stereotypes about being judged in child safety contexts,” he says.
He stresses that child safety is non-negotiable for every educator and argues that diversity strengthens accountability. “Child safety is non-negotiable for every educator, so the real risk is letting outdated stereotypes block men from teaching young children. A more gender-diverse workforce will strengthen safety, because diverse perspectives improve workplace culture, vigilance, and accountability. And when male and female educators work together, they model respectful, safe interactions and reinforce best practice.”
According to Dr Mills-Bayne, the answer lies in a concerted effort to change public perception and encourage men into the sector. “We must advocate and actively promote the positive impact of male educators,” he says. “Governments should fund and support a targeted workforce campaign explicitly encouraging men to choose early childhood education and teaching as an exciting and rewarding career—both for boys beyond school, and men looking to change careers.”
He says this is not only about easing teacher shortages but about shifting the broader culture. “This is critical to address teacher shortages and has long been the missing piece to building a thriving and gender diverse early childhood education workforce. Actively increasing male early childhood teachers and educators will help strengthen the cycle of positive male identities and significantly impact on the negative effects of the culture of toxic masculinity.”
Without intervention, he warns, male teachers could disappear altogether. “If we don’t start targeting men for teaching careers, male educators could disappear from the profession, and all children will miss out on the chance to learn from diverse role models.”
On World Teachers’ Day, he is calling on the community to recognise those men who are already making a difference. “This World Teacher’s Day, we’re asking everyone to step up and share their positive experiences of male teachers and how these incredible people have made a real difference in their or their children’s lives,” Dr Mills-Bayne says. “Teachers don’t just shape children—they help shape families and communities. It’s time we celebrated and supported the men making a difference in early education.”
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