TOPS Day Nurseries in Dorset say they are working hard to increase the number of male staff in the early years setting.

According to the national campaign network MITEY (Men in the Early Years), the proportion of male staff in early year's education is only three per cent.

Tops Day Nurseries, which operate across the county, have signed the MITEY Charter – a pledge for nurseries, pre-schools and other early years setting across the UK to 'show support in valuing men’s potential to contribute positively to the care and education of young children'.

The nursery chain also promotes the importance of men in the early years by publishing questions and answers with their male employees on their website.

They have also set up a MITEY group where their employees discuss ways in which they can increase the number of male staff across Tops and to offer support and advice for those that currently work in the nurseries.

Simon Evans, senior nursery manger at a Tops nursery, said: “As a male nursery manager, it is so great to work for Tops Day Nurseries, who are so passionate about promoting and recruiting more men to work in early years.

"Working hard to go above the national average shows just how dedicated the nursery chain is, in supporting men in the work force."