Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace for Early Years Educators

Early years educators and caregivers play a vital role in shaping young lives. Yet, the demands of their work can take a toll on their mental health. 'Working in Early Years is a challenging career, not just physically, it's emotionally and mentally tiring too' - www.thecuriosityapproach.com Creating a mentally healthy workplace is essential not only for their well-being but also for the quality of care and education they provide. This post explores practical ways to build a supportive environment that nurtures mental health in early years settings.

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Understanding the Mental Health Challenges in Early Years Settings

Working with young children involves emotional, physical, and mental effort. Educators often face high workloads, tight schedules, and the pressure to meet developmental milestones for each child. These factors can lead to stress, burnout, and feelings of isolation.

Common challenges include:

• Managing challenging behaviours from children while maintaining patience and calm

• Balancing administrative tasks with hands-on caregiving

• Coping with limited resources and staffing shortages

• Navigating relationships with parents and colleagues

  
  

Recognising these challenges is the first step toward creating a workplace that supports mental health.

Building a Culture of Open Communication

A workplace where staff feel safe to express their feelings and concerns reduces stress and builds trust. Leaders can encourage open communication by:

• Holding regular team meetings focused on well-being

• Creating anonymous feedback channels (For example, Ducklings offers an anonymous form on our website for both staff and parents to use)

• Training managers to listen actively and respond empathetically

  
  

When educators know their voices matter, they feel valued and supported.

Providing Access to Mental Health Resources

Access to mental health support can make a significant difference. Early years settings can offer:

• Employee assistance programs with counselling services (At Ducklings, we provide an external, fully confidential and free to employees counselling service, so our team members can talk privately and get the appropriate support confidentially, should they ever not feel comfortable talking to management. This can be found by clicking here.

• Workshops and/or resources on stress management and resilience

• Information about local mental health services

  
  

Making these resources visible and easy to access encourages staff to seek help when needed.

Fundraising to Promote a Cause

It may be beneficial for your Early Years workplace to fundraise for a mental health charity too. Here at Ducklings, we fundraised for the charity Mind, because it not only raised vital awareness and support for an important cause, but it also fostered a sense of community, empathy, and shared purpose among employees, promoting a healthier, more compassionate workplace culture.

Creating Supportive Peer Networks

Peer support offers emotional relief and practical advice. Early years settings can foster connections by:

• Organising peer mentoring programs

• Scheduling informal social gatherings

• Have a social community to discuss and communicate with others (At Ducklings, we utilise website chats and WhatsApp groups, to promote a supportive network for our practitioners to share ideas, ask questions, and celebrate achievements together).

• Encouraging teamwork and collaboration on projects

  
  

These networks reduce feelings of isolation and build a sense of community.

Designing Physical Spaces That Promote Well-being

The physical environment impacts mental health. Spaces that feel safe, calm, and inviting help reduce stress. Consider:

• Providing quiet areas for staff breaks

• Using natural light and calming colours

• Ensuring comfortable seating and access to fresh air

  
  

Thoughtful design supports relaxation and recharging during busy days.

The Curiostiy Approach published a fantastic piece on this; We all have a duty of care to raise mental health awareness and create safe, happy places and spaces to work! Together we can do more. Here are 7 things you can do to reduce the stigma of mental health, according to CAMH (https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/addressing-stigma)

1. Know the facts. Educate yourself about mental illness, including substance use disorders.

2. Be aware of your attitudes and behaviour. Examine your own judgmental thinking, reinforced by upbringing and society.

3. Choose your words carefully. The way we speak can affect the attitudes of others.

4. Educate others. Pass on facts and positive attitudes; challenge myths and stereotypes.

5. Focus on the positive. Mental illness, including addictions, is only part of anyone's larger picture.

6. Support people. Treat everyone with dignity and respect; offer support and encouragement.

7. Include everyone. It's against the law to deny jobs or services to anyone with these health issues.

Offering Professional Development Focused on Mental Health

Training that addresses mental health equips educators with tools to manage stress and support children’s well-being. Topics might include:

• Recognising signs of stress and burnout

• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques

• Strategies for managing challenging behaviours

  
  

At Ducklings, we have a ton of resources on our website, specifically focused on Mental Health, for our team to share with parents and/or carers. These can be found by clicking here. Investing in professional growth signals that mental health is a priority.

Recognising and Celebrating Staff Contributions

Feeling appreciated boosts morale and motivation. Simple actions can have a big impact:

• Regularly acknowledging achievements in meetings or newsletters

• Celebrating milestones like work anniversaries

• Offering small tokens of appreciation.

  
  

Recognition helps staff feel seen and valued for their hard work.

Leadership’s Role in Mental Health

Leaders set the tone for workplace culture. They can model healthy behaviours by:

• Prioritising their own well-being

• Being transparent about challenges and solutions

• Encouraging a no-blame approach to mistakes

  
  

Strong leadership creates a foundation where mental health can thrive.

Supporting Mental Health During Crises

Unexpected events, such as sudden illness, a change in living circumstances or personal loss, can increase stress. Early years settings should have plans to:

• Provide timely communication and updates

• Offer additional mental health support

• Allow flexible responses to individual needs

  
  

Being prepared helps staff feel secure and cared for during difficult times.