DadTalk

Where is Dad?

Children and parents would like to see fathers getting more involved in their children's early years settings, according to new research launched this week by the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

During a six-month research project, the Alliance has consulted with 51 children, nine mothers and eighteen fathers based at three inner London settings for their views on getting dads to play a greater role in their children's nurseries and pre-schools. Parents were interviewed through focus groups, while the children, aged two-and-a-half to four years old, were asked for their opinions on involving both fathers and mothers via ‘play scenarios'.

The parents interviewed - who came from a diverse range of social, ethnic and occupational backgrounds - thought it was a good idea to involve fathers in early years settings, and recognised that father involvement could be of particular value to children who have little or no contact with their fathers. The groups also discussed possible barriers to fathers getting involved in early years settings, including the idea of feeling intimidated in a predominantly female environment.

Most of the children interviewed said they would like to see their fathers (and mothers) involved in their early years settings.

Tim Kahn, Inclusion Officer at the Pre-school Learning Alliance, who led on the research, said: ‘There is lots of evidence that shows that children have better outcomes in many areas of their lives when their fathers are involved with them. This is reflected in the Government's current campaign to increase the involvement of fathers in education and family services, as these have traditionally been the domain of mothers and other female carers.

One of the Key Recommendations of the report was that pre-schools should routinely ask fathers to come into the setting so that children - especially those who do not have contact with their own fathers - can benefit from their presence.

The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.