‘They’ve sent a male’: Childcare centres shadow-ban men

Male childcare workers have been turned away from centres and had casual shifts cancelled, potentially breaching gender discrimination laws, following horrific allegations of child abuse in daycare facilities.

Men also reported being shadow-banned from centres, and trainees said they have had work placements cancelled after the sector was plunged into crisis this month by the police case against former Melbourne daycare worker Joshua Dale Brown.

Ramesh Shrestha, who runs a support community for male early learning educators, says they have experienced discrimination since the Melbourne childcare crisis erupted.Credit: Steven Siewert

A leading advocate for men in the sector is reporting widespread “gender discrimination” around the country, and the main union for childcare workers says restrictions imposed by some providers on the tasks male employees can perform – including bans on men changing nappies or helping with toileting – are also discriminatory.

The Inspire group of 16 centres in Melbourne announced a ban on its male workers undertaking toilet and nappy changing duties in the days after charges against Brown were revealed. Two of the chains that employed the 26-year-old, G8 Education and Affinity Education, have also announced changes to their practices.

Advocates and childcare experts say the reform focus should be on systemic changes, and that “discriminatory” bans on male workers do nothing to improve safety.

An early learning educator in Melbourne’s south-east, who does not work for Affinity or G8 and who asked not to be identified, said he had experienced employment discrimination from multiple centres because he is a man.

He said that when he arrived at a childcare centre in Narre Warren as a relief educator, a staff member looked at him and told another colleague, “They’ve sent a male.”

“She kind of ... panicked,” the educator said.

Half an hour into his shift, the director of the centre had apologised and told him they had mistakenly booked too many educators that day and he could leave.

“There are really good male educators – male educators who are champions of children’s safety”: Early Childhood Australia chief executive Samantha Page.Credit: iStock

A male early childhood education student told of arriving at a centre for his final placement, only to be sent away, with his work experience later cancelled.

Ramesh Shrestha, who runs a support community for male early learning educators, Thriving Educators Aspiring Male Professionals, said these were not isolated incidents.

“It’s happening across the country and the impact can be felt everywhere,” Shrestha said.

“It is gender discrimination, and it shouldn’t happen.”

He recently co-facilitated a session with 320 male educators online from around the country.

“One of the male educators put it pretty neatly where he said, ‘I used to be an asset, and now I get treated like a liability’,” Shrestha said.

“It does capture the sentiment of male educators across Australia.”

More than 150 educators from Affinity and G8 met with the United Workers Union on Monday about changes to workplace practices, with staff complaining of a lack of consistency or clear direction.

In a letter sent to G8 and Affinity on Tuesday, the union’s early education director, Carolyn Smith, said restrictions on male educators’ duties were “discriminatory and have direct negative consequences”.

“We are concerned about the impact on male members of staff but also the fact that these restrictions increase the workload of female educators,” she said.

She also said there appeared to be “an informal ban on employing new male members of staff or providing work experience to male students”. Workers are demanding a meeting in the coming weeks with management to discuss their concerns.

The Fair Work Ombudsman said any adverse action based on gender against an employee or prospective employee could constitute discrimination under the Fair Work Act.

An Affinity spokesperson denied any gender-based ban, but said the company had told families they could express preferences about nappy changes for their child.

A G8 Education spokesperson said the safety and wellbeing of every child in its care was its highest priority.

“It is a responsibility shared by every member of the G8 Education team, and one that sits at the heart of everything we do,” she said.

“G8 Education recognises that a diverse and inclusive workforce enriches the learning environment for children, families, and educators.”

Early Childhood Australia chief executive Samantha Page said she was concerned about community attitudes and legitimate family anxiety, coupled with ensuring male educators were not discriminated against.

“If no educator is ever alone with children, then there is no opportunity for offence or even poor practice,” she said.

“Let’s try to demonstrate to families those are the proactive policies we have in place and that there are really good male educators – male educators who are champions of children’s safety.”

Australian Childcare Alliance president Paul Mondo said employers had a legal and moral responsibility to act without discrimination, while also safeguarding the wellbeing of their staff.

“At this moment, that includes being acutely aware of the unique pressures facing male educators,” he said.

Mondo said families also deserved transparency and clear communication of robust child safety measures.

A Victorian government spokesperson said the alleged actions of one individual did not reflect the many dedicated childcare staff who go above and beyond to care for children.

“All Victorian early childhood services must meet Child Safe Standards, which include requirements to thoroughly screen all educators and teachers,” the spokesperson said.

Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin announced on Thursday a six-point plan to improve childcare safety if the opposition wins the next election.

It would include closing loopholes in working with children checks, allowing parents access to live centre-by-centre safety data, establishing a central register of workers and an independent safety watchdog. Other measures included banning mobile phones, installing CCTV and linking federal funding to safety measures.

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