This guide is co-crafted with Swift – our very first members at MCTJ – and shaped by real voices from their community: learners like Bailey, coaches like Ryan, and leaders like Jack. It’s for anyone who’s curious about early years – dads, students, career-changers, and returners – who wants a friendly, honest picture of the work and a calm first step in.

We’ll keep things simple and practical. You’ll see what the job actually involves (spoiler: it’s real child development, teamwork and purpose), how to try it first with low-pressure tasters and stay-and-play sessions, and why apprenticeships can help you earn while you learn. We’ll show you the support around you – mentors, male support coaches, and peer groups – so you never feel like the only one in the room. We’ll also touch on the bits people quietly worry about (confidence, safeguarding, progression) and how good settings handle them.

 

Is Early Years for Me?

If you’re curious about early years but not sure it’s “for you,” you’re not alone. Many of us had the same questions before we stepped into a nursery and saw what the work actually looks like: child development, relationships, teamwork – and a real sense of purpose.

As Ryan Bradshaw – Lead Support Coach at Swift – puts it, “I would say come and have a look, take a chance to see it for what you see it as and what it is.” He adds, “People have misconceptions for what early years is – it’s not just a babysitter, it’s looking at children’s development and you can become part of that journey.”

There’s also space for your interests and strengths. Ryan’s message to dads and men considering the sector is simple: “For fathers who haven’t thought about it, come and see the magic of early years and see what you can bring to the table. You could be good at baking and cooking, mindfulness and meditation, or sport… come and have a look and don’t discard it straight away.”

If you want a quick next step, just visit a setting, watch the children learn, and chat with the team. You’ll get a feel for the work – and whether this might be the place where you thrive.

 

Try it first: low-pressure ways to step in

You don’t have to decide today. The easiest way to see if early years fits you is to pop in, meet the team, and notice how the children respond. As Karl – a male employer from Smarty Pants who works with Swift – says, “We actively did things like Father’s Day to have males in and around the settings with children, sports days, so that males are not an anomaly they’re not an alien to the children.” He also suggests, “Having males coming into the setting whether it’s work experience.”

Small moments can be the spark. Ryan shared a lovely example: “I set up an area in the room and one of the dads said it looked amazing, and he wanted to play in it. I let him have a play with his child in the setting. I wanted parents to come in and enjoy the magic of early years… we actively teach other children, and I wanted them to be a part of that process.”

 

Here are some simple first steps:

• Visit a stay-and-play or sports day at a local nursery.
• Ask for a short taster or a few hours of work experience.
• Observe an activity, then join in for ten minutes to get a feel for it.

 

If it clicks, brilliant – you’ve just taken your first step. If you’re still unsure, that’s fine too; keep exploring and give yourself permission to be curious.

 

Earn while you learn: apprenticeships that fit real life

If you’re juggling bills, family, or a career change, an apprenticeship can be a sensible way in. You get paid, learn on the job, and build confidence step by step. As Ryan puts it, “Apprenticeships are good for those that may not understand what the industry needs or what is expected. It’s a great way of learning and earning.” He adds, “It is a good route where you can meet people who have been in the industry and it’s led by experts who have been in the industry, and they can ask those questions as well.”

 

What that means in practice:

• Income + training at the same time – no putting life on hold.
• Real mentors and peers to learn from, not just theory.
• A clear pathway into recognised roles once you’ve found your feet.

 

If you’re still testing the waters, start with a short taster or work experience day, then chat to Swift about apprenticeship routes that match where you are right now.

 

You won’t be the only man: support & belonging

No one wants to feel like the odd one out. The good news is you won’t be doing this alone. Swift puts real people around you – mentors, coaches, and peers – so you’ve got someone to message, ask, and learn from as you go.

As Ryan shares, “Swift have male support coaches, male leaders within the organisation who have been into early years settings, being able to relate to those people and having those male mentors. Having people who can support you makes a difference. Having that same sex mentorship… they have that person to talk to now whereas they previously didn’t. For male learners to feel that they belong… that’s what I want for male learners.”

From Swift’s side, Jack Edwards (Operation Director)’s aim is crystal clear: “When a male apprentice comes on, they don’t feel that they are still in this sea of just female orientated environments, that they do have male role models who have walked the walk and been where they are.”

Belonging also grows in community. Ryan’s “Dads Matter” group shows what’s possible: “We created a WhatsApp group and invited dads into the nursery. We ran resilience workshops, mindful walks… two dads who didn’t know each other became friends.” It’s a simple reminder: you’re not on your own in this.

 

Common worries for men in early years (and honest answers)

It’s normal to have questions. Let’s name the big ones and answer them plainly.

 

“Isn’t this a women’s job?”
Ryan is straight with us: “Another misconception is that it’s a woman’s job, not true… for fathers they’re on that journey as well – we can support fathers if we give them that opportunity.”

 

 “Will people judge me?”
Society still has hang-ups. Ryan says, “The misconceptions are more of a societal thing, it’s what they expect from a male.” He adds that some people make unfair assumptions about sexuality or intentions, and that’s a mindset we’re changing together.

 

 “Can I afford it? Is there growth?”
Jack names the perception: “For males there is a stigma that it is a low performing, low salary role and there’s no career opportunities and career growth.” The reality: apprenticeships help you earn while you learn, and there are clear progression routes once you’ve found your feet.

 

 “How do parents feel about men doing care tasks?”
Karl keeps it simple: “Everyone has gone through the same vetting process, DBS, training,” and the standard is the same for all practitioners. “We can’t say to a male employee that they can’t change a child’s nappy, it’s not fair and not right.”

 

 “What if I’m nervous or don’t know everything yet?”
That’s okay. Bailey’s experience (a male learner at Swift) is reassuring: “All the staff are friendly and great, they’re open for asking questions if you need help with anything. It doesn’t matter how silly the question may seem, they’d rather you ask the question, and you have the right idea than get it wrong.”

 

If any of these worries are on your mind, you’re in good company. The best next step is to try a taster, talk to a mentor, and see the work up close – most doubts fade once you’re in the room.

 

Your first 90 days: what good support feels like

The first weeks are about learning the ropes, not proving yourself. It’s normal to feel a bit wobbly – “It can be daunting coming to a workplace that is dominated by females,” Ryan says, but good support takes that feeling down fast.

Here’s what “good” looks like when you start:

• A named buddy or mentor you can message any time.
• Short inductions and regular check-ins so you always know the next step. As Bailey puts it, “There is constantly inductions and chats to help you with the journey in your career.”
• Equal responsibilities from the start, with a chance to shadow until you’re comfortable.
• A team that invites questions and means it.

 

Confidence builds quickly. Bailey’s honest take will sound familiar: “I get so nervous with things, I thought I would struggle to get going… I found that I was able to hit the ground running and I have been able to understand that I can do things.”

And on the employer side, Jack’s nudge is reassuring: “They need to actually take some time talking to their male employees about the experiences that they’ve gone through… and really take the time to understand that person.” That’s what a supportive culture feels like.

 

Real wins – what an early years job gives back

This isn’t just a job – there are moments that stay with us. Bailey’s proudest one is a perfect example: “Hearing a shy child’s first words, they’ve talked to other staff but with me they’ve been really shy. I got them to start naming colours. It felt like I was really getting somewhere with the children now and they started seeing me as a trusting figure in their life. I was really happy to see that they started trusting me and seeing me as part of their development.”

The impact stretches beyond the classroom. Ryan says, “You can influence and help shape the world and the future of society and enjoy the fun and magic of early years.” He adds, “I still have parents messaging me 5/6 years down the line thanking me for what I did for their child in their early years.”

If a part of you is wondering whether to try, Ryan’s nudge is simple: “What if I fall, but what if you fly.”

That’s the heart of it – the wins are real, and they last.

 

Getting started in early years: a simple checklist

Ready to explore without overthinking it? Here’s a friendly, low-pressure way to begin.

• Visit a setting. Drop into a stay-and-play or open morning, say hello to the team, and notice how the room feels.
• Book a short taster. Ask for a couple of hours of work experience or shadowing so you can try an activity and see if it clicks.
• Chat to Swift. Share where you’re at (work, family, confidence) and they’ll map an apprenticeship route that fits real life, with mentor support from day one.
• Set yourself up to feel calm. Bring photo ID, comfy clothes, and one simple activity idea (e.g., a favourite picture book or a quick ball game).
• Ask for a buddy. It’s okay to say, “Who’s best to check in with if I get stuck?”
• After your taster, reflect. What felt good? What felt odd? What would you like to try next time?

 

Take the next small step while the curiosity is warm. If it feels right, great – keep going. If you’re unsure, that’s fine too; try another visit, speak to a mentor, and give yourself space to decide.

 

The Bigger picture: why now is the time

This is a good moment to step in. The conversation is louder, the pathways are clearer, and the support is stronger than it’s ever been. As Jack puts it, “So generational impact is huge, but in order to have that, we need to start laying the foundations now.”

Ryan sees the momentum on the ground too: “A lot of other companies are getting in contact now; there’s more of a network now. I know a lot of male educators on LinkedIn, we can bang the drum for men in early years.”

If we each take one small step – visit, try a taster, start an apprenticeship – we help build that foundation together. And the payoff isn’t abstract; it’s children learning, families feeling supported, and a career you can be proud of.

If a part of you is curious, follow it. The simplest move is to try a short taster, speak to a mentor, and see the work up close. As Bailey puts it, “Honestly, just do it. It might seem daunting, but it is worth it, it’s great to be able to help those children develop and be a part of that journey. It’s great to be able to help them learn their numbers and their words. It’s heavily dominated by women but from my experience they’re all nice and friendly and they don’t care about your gender and neither do the children, so don’t let it stop you.”

 

How you can find help right now

• Book a short chat with Swift about apprenticeship routes and mentor support that fit your life.
• Join our MCTJ spaces for webinars and friendly Q&As with men already in the job.
• Pop into a stay-and-play and ask for a taster or work-experience slot to see how it feels.

 

Take one small step while the curiosity’s warm. If it clicks, brilliant – let’s keep going together.