School leaders gathered in Liverpool for their union’s annual conference and voted to support a motion calling for more male teachers in early years education (currently men only make up 3% of the workforce). They agreed that it is important for all children to experience positive male role models, and understand that men can be interested in education, science or reading, just as much as in football. A diverse early years workforce can help children, especially those from deprived backgrounds, to visualise their futures and fulfil their educational potential. The shortfall is partly due to the perceived lack of status and importance this phase of education can have, and the subsequent lower pay such roles can attract.