Quality knows no gender: A national call to support male educators in early childhood education

Amid growing public discourse and media coverage questioning the role of male educators in early childhood education, a collective voice is rising in response, one that proudly affirms: Quality knows no gender.

Across Australia, early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals are joining together to stand with their male colleagues, whose contributions, perspectives, and passion enrich our sector every single day. As educators, leaders, and advocates for children, we know firsthand the powerful impact that diverse teams bring to our learning communities.

This movement is supported by services such as Bask Early Learning, where male educators are recognised as valued, dedicated professionals who bring warmth, insight, and exceptional care to children and families. Like many other services across the country, Bask stands united in calling for greater respect and recognition for the men in our sector.

To demonstrate this solidarity, the Support for Male Educators Pledge has been launched as a national initiative designed to champion male educators and reaffirm the values that define our profession: inclusion, equity, and professional excellence.

The Pledge: We Stand United

As early childhood education and care services, we proudly pledge:

• We believe in diversity and inclusion – Every child deserves educators who reflect the rich diversity of our Australian community.
• We value quality over gender – Excellence in early childhood education comes from passion, dedication, professional training, and genuine care for children – not from gender.
• We support our male educators – They are valued members of our teams who bring unique perspectives, serve as positive role models, and uphold the same high standards of care and education as all educators.
• We maintain the highest standards – All educators, regardless of gender, undergo rigorous training, comprehensive background checks, and continuous professional development.
• We stand against discrimination – We will not allow fear, stigma, or bias to overshadow the positive contributions of dedicated male educators.

Together, we are stronger. Together, we create brighter futures for every child.

Supporting Gender Diversity in Early Childhood Education

Across Australia, early learning services are being encouraged to foster inclusive, supportive environments for all educators, including men working in early childhood settings.

A new campaign seeks to raise awareness of the value male educators bring to the sector, and to challenge stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes that can impact their professional experiences.

Services can participate by:

• Taking the Pledge: Customise and share a workplace statement of support for gender inclusion in early education teams.
• Sharing Team Stories: Highlight the contributions of male educators in everyday practice, through stories, reflections or team photos using the hashtag #QualityKnowsNoGender.
• Promoting Sector-Wide Dialogue: Open conversations with staff and families about gender equity, workforce diversity, and the importance of creating safe and respectful environments for all educators.

The campaign aims to build a culture where all educators feel valued, respected and safe regardless of gender.

More resources are available here.   

Author: Bec Jaenke, Head of Operations, Bask Early Learning.