The Marlborough Express
June 25 2003

Ellis case won't get more men in kindy teaching
by Anna McIntyre

Society's perception of the early childhood education sector as "women's work" is unlikely to change if a conviction against Peter Ellis is overturned, a kindergarten representative says.

Marlborough woman Sally Kennedy, who sits on the New Zealand Kindergarten Association's national executive, said there had never been many male kindergarten teachers because of the sector's "low, perceived status".

Mrs Kennedy said the Christchurch Civic Creche child abuse case which sentenced Peter Ellis to 10 years jail in 1993 had not helped with the recruitment of male teachers to early childhood education.

Ellis has always proclaimed his innocence and a petition signed by 140 prominent New Zealanders is being presented to parliament today, seeking a royal commission inquiry into the case.

"While the Ellis case hasn't helped men's role in early childhood education, there's always been a perception that the sector is women's work which doesn't require qualifications.

"In fact the reverse is the case. We need the best people to ... ensure the early, important years of a child's education are properly managed," Mrs Kennedy said.

She added the perception that "men were dangerous to little children" was sad and wrong, but she thought it unlikely to change even if Ellis was found innocent.

The petition found support from Sam Piper, a former male creche worker in Blenheim.

Mr Piper now works out of the industry, although his decision to change careers was not influenced by the Ellis case.

He said he thought the guilty judgement against Ellis was unjust at the time.

"I didn't think the extent of what he got charged for could've happened. With staff ratios in most creches, it would be difficult to have got away with anything of that nature. At the time it was perplexing to me."

Mr Piper said it was disappointing that there were not more male teachers in the early childhood sector.

"A lot of people used our centre because there was a male there. (The Ellis case) has made it more difficult for males and staff are probably more aware of not being left as the single adult in a room of children."