Teach Early Years - Issue 14.2

DANIEL SATURLEY IS AN EARLY YEARS ADVISORY TEACHER E ngaging fathers is important. Most of us want to be involved, but sometimes we don’t quite know how to fit into the world of early years settings. I speak from experience, both as a dad and as someone who works in the sector. Even with this background, I’ve sometimes felt out of place, much like many of my friends – it’s easy to feel like an outsider. This often isn’t intentional; it’s more about the setup, the routines, and the everyday language. Subtle adjustments in practice and communication could go a long way in making us feel like we belong. THE ISSUE The benefits of engaging all parents are well established. Children with actively involved fathers often show stronger language development, better emotional regulation, and improved social outcomes. Our involvement supports attachment and resilience and can provide another secure base for the child beyond their primary caregiver. But without encouragement or visibility, we might assume we’re not needed, or worse, not welcome. That hesitation can lead to absence, even when the willingness is there. Daniel Saturley takes a personal look at welcoming fathers into early years settings… Let’s get dads more involved Consider incorporating our interests or skills: woodwork, sports, or storytelling. 4 Encourage story time Some dads love reading aloud but just need a nudge. Invite us to come in and read a story near pickup time. If time’s tight, think outside the box – we might record a video of us reading at home to be shared during the day. It helps our children feel proud and helps us feel involved. 5 Build personal connections Even if we don’t linger at drop-off, a quick “How’s your day looking?” or “They were telling us about your camping trip!” helps build rapport. Small conversations pave the way to greater involvement. 6 Use digital tools Photos, updates, and short videos via apps help us stay connected even when we can’t be there in person. Dads who travel or work long hours might feel more included. THE IMPACT When dads feel included, children benefit, often becoming more confident, secure, and socially capable. And the benefits extend to dads, too. Feeling involved supports our wellbeing and deepens our bond with our children. It also strengthens family connections and helps us build trust in the setting. For some of us, early years engagement may be the first time we’ve been asked to participate in this way. A good experience here could lead to more active involvement throughout our child’s learning journey. With just a few tweaks, you might help fathers feel like they belong in unfamiliar spaces – and when we’re included, we usually stay. Sometimes all it takes is an invite, a smile, or a moment of encouragement. There are a few reasons dads might hold back: It can be overwhelming. If the environment feels unfamiliar, we may retreat rather than push forward. Work schedules. Many fathers, like many mothers, work long hours or have jobs with limited flexibility. This can make being present at key moments a challenge. Confidence. Some of us didn’t attend baby groups and may feel we lack the same knowledge or confidence in engaging with young children. Social expectations. Persistent stereotypes can frame early education as primarily the mother’s domain, even though this isn’t the case and many of us want equal involvement. THE SOLUTION Here are six practical strategies that help dads feel included: 1 Make inclusion visible Use language like “parents” or “families” in emails, signs and forms. Display posters or photos that show dads playing and reading with children. Include dad-themed storybooks or highlight fathers in displays. It signals that we’re part of the picture. 2 Offer flexible events Midweek coffee mornings might not work for everyone. A quick online poll could reveal better times for busy or shift-working dads – like late afternoons, Saturdays, or digital events. Offering variety sends the message that everyone’s time is valued. 3 Create dad-friendly activities Give us something to do – hands- on tasks often feel more accessible. A Build with Dad morning, garden day, or outdoor adventure can be easier to step into than an open-ended social event. Teachearlyyears.com 23