Dads banned from nursery to avoid offending Muslims

Kids Go Wild is Britain’s first toddler group to introduce a women-only policy. Managers defended the decision, claiming that Muslim mothers welcomed it for “cultural reasons”. But it has angered both Muslims and non-Muslims and led the Equality and Human Rights Commission to investigate after dozens of fathers complained. One father turned away from the centre branded the move “disgusting” and “sexist”. He said: “To turn me away because I’m a man is against the Equality Act.” A poster outside the centre, in the predominantly Asian area of Sparkhill, Birmingham, reads: “Ladies and children only. No boys over nine allowed.” The newly-formed group advertises itself as “the UK’s first ladies and children’s only soft play centre”.

To turn me away because I’m a man is against the Equality Act A father

Muslim mother-of-one Ruksana Ayub said: “I understand why women would want a place like this where there are no men. They won’t feel they have to cover up so they might feel more able to relax and to socialise. But I’m quite modern in my outlook, so I also find it quite shocking that men aren’t allowed in. It’s a shame for kids who don’t have a mum.” The move was branded a “worrying situation” by local councillor Habib Rehman, a Muslim and father-of-four. He said: “There’s something wrong here when a dad can’t take his kids to a play centre.” Father-of-three Tariq Mahmood, of nearby Hall Green, said: “In the Muslim community men and women being separate is normal at religious events and social functions. But a play centre isn’t a religious or function thing. It’s somewhere for children to play. A ban on men gives the wrong impression about men.”