| Dads being involved in the lives of their children is one | | | | colleagues interact with Dads anywhere from "flirting" |
| of the hot topics in parenting. Society has changed and | | | | to being shy with them. Be professional in developing |
| as child care centres we can welcome greater | | | | informal friendly conversations which briefly describe |
| involvement of Dads in the family role and in the day | | | | the child's day and then allow Dads to either ask |
| to day routines of children at our centre. | | | | further questions or move on with the rest of their |
| However, in our desire to be all inclusive, and | | | | commitments. |
| embracing of Dads in child care, we often bypass or | | | | 5. Acknowledge Fathers Efforts in Newsletters. |
| forget the fathers' perspective. In general, Dads are | | | | Acknowledge ways in which Dads contribute to the |
| more involved in the life of their children than previous | | | | centre. As well, we can acknowledge external |
| generations. They enjoy being part of their child's daily | | | | achievements such as the local fireman who fought |
| routine, and sometimes this is not just an enjoyment, | | | | hard in recent community bushfires or the Dad who |
| but a necessity with many Mums in part or full time | | | | ran the community triathlon and won. |
| work. Child care services see more Dads dropping off | | | | 6. Communication of Newsletters. Where appropriate, |
| and collecting their children. However, does this mean | | | | and where parents are separated or Dads are |
| that Dads want to be more involved in our child care | | | | travelling for long periods with work, send copies (post |
| services? | | | | or email) of newsletters to Dads. |
| The options of working from home and more flexible | | | | 7. Ask Specifially For Fathers' Feedback. Surveys can |
| employment may support Dads being more involved in | | | | include a section for feedback from both mothers and |
| child care services. However, we need to be sensitive | | | | fathers so Dads feel welcome to give opinions. |
| to Dads who are stretched for time already with work | | | | 8. Hold Specific Events For Dads. Here is where |
| schedules and outside demands, and we need to look | | | | centres need to be really creative to ensure Dads feel |
| for ways of embracing a greater role of fathers in | | | | welcome in the centre but their time is valued. |
| children's lives while respecting their time and other | | | | Saturday Dad's Barbeques can impinge on family time |
| commitments. | | | | or other commitments such as coaching the local |
| How can we help Dads be more informed about their | | | | soccer team. Think of events which are easy to |
| child's day without giving them a 15 minute blow by | | | | attend and can provide additional benefit to the Dad |
| blow description of the child's day when they collect | | | | such a coffee night meeting the local footy hero, or a |
| them? How can we support them to feel welcome | | | | weekday breakfast barbeque and business |
| and valued without asking them to spend their family | | | | networking time. |
| day manning the preschool fete? | | | | 9. Put Male Oriented Literature in the Foyer / Entry. |
| The Top 13 Ideas From Dads on Their Role In Child | | | | Are there ways that literature and resources can |
| Care | | | | appeal more directly to Dads? |
| We asked Dads to give their feedback on how they | | | | 10. Posters and Pictures on the Wall. It's interesting that |
| would like to feel welcomed, valued and an integral | | | | this falls as number 10 on the list, and yet it's often the |
| part of their child's life in the child care centre. This is | | | | first and / or only thing we do as child care services to |
| what we found: | | | | make Dads feel welcome. It's important that Dads see |
| 1. Fathers want to be acknowledged by name. This | | | | themselves reflected in the centre, but make this an |
| was the most appealing strategy to Dads, and reflects | | | | enhancement or addition to the other strategies |
| the normal professional behaviours in any workplace. | | | | suggested in this list. |
| 2. Email Photos to Dads. Most workplaces have | | | | 11. Ask More Questions on Enrolment Forms about |
| computers, and this helps Dads to have a window into | | | | Specific Members of the Family. This allows us to gain |
| their child's day and can be looked at in lunch breaks or | | | | a greater picture of the whole family and their role in |
| a quiet moment in the day. (You will need to ensure | | | | raising the child. |
| you follow standard centre policies and procedures in | | | | 12. Employ More Male Staff. As hard as it is for the |
| terms of privacy) | | | | industry to attract male workers, this holds a key place, |
| 3. Make Tasks Clear. Ensure Dads are aware of and | | | | not only to making Dads feel connected with the |
| confident with their role in tasks such as arrival and | | | | centre, but also in providing additional father figures in |
| departure. Collecting bags and belongings, signing | | | | the lives of the children. |
| sheets, farewelling playmates etc can be daunting to | | | | 13. Communicate Equally with Dads. We must never |
| anyone who doesn't collect the child on a regular basis. | | | | assume that certain information is for the mother only. |
| Balance this with not patronizing Dads undertaking this | | | | This even includes delicate situations such as babies |
| task for the first time...support what Dads know | | | | with nappy rash or toddlers showing their bottoms. |
| through common sense while explaining the | | | | While at times we may feel more comfortable |
| procedures unique to the centre. | | | | discussing this with Mums, we need to maintain |
| 4. Informal Conversations. Child care is a female | | | | professionalism in communicating information equally. |
| dominated workplace. I have watched female work | | | | |