Staff wellbeing, employment, and professional growth
QA2, QA4, and QA7
Staff Wellbeing, Support, And Professional Sustainability
Wellbeing matters in early childhood work. Staff are better able to support children, families, and each other when they are supported, informed, and able to work sustainably.
Wellbeing Matters
Early Childhood Work Is Meaningful And Demanding
Early childhood education and care is relationship-based work. It can be joyful, purposeful, and rewarding, and it can also involve emotional labour, competing priorities, complex family needs, child safety content, staffing pressures, and busy service routines.
Looking after wellbeing is part of sustainable professional practice. It helps staff stay connected, reflective, safe, and able to contribute to a positive workplace culture.
EAP
Know Where Support Is
NERPSA’s Employee Assistance Program information is available through the Employee Assistance Program Policy on the Staff Resources website.
NERPSA App
Use Current Details
EAP and staff wellbeing information is also available through the NERPSA App. Staff should use the current provider details listed there or in the EAP Policy.
Sustainability
Use Support Early
Staff are encouraged to use available wellbeing supports early, rather than waiting until things feel unmanageable.
Employee Assistance Program
EAP
Use The Current EAP Information
NERPSA’s Employee Assistance Program information is available through the Employee Assistance Program Policy on the Staff Resources website.
Staff can use the policy to locate current EAP provider details, access instructions, and support options. EAP information is also available through the NERPSA App.
Where To Find Wellbeing And EAP Information
Staff Resources Website
- Go to the Staff Resources website.
- Locate the Employee Assistance Program Policy.
- Use the policy for current EAP provider details and access instructions.
- Use the Staff Resources website for current staff wellbeing information.
NERPSA App
- Open the NERPSA App.
- Locate current wellbeing and EAP information.
- Use the App to access current staff resources and forms.
- Check the App when you need current staff support information away from the website.
What Supports Wellbeing At Work?
Respectful Communication
Clear, calm, respectful communication helps staff work together and reduces confusion during busy or stressful moments.
Realistic Priorities
Early childhood work involves many moving parts. Staff should use service systems and role expectations to prioritise safely.
Breaks And Recovery
Breaks, lunches, and recovery time support safe, sustainable work. Breaks should be managed so supervision and ratios remain safe.
Reflective Practice
Reflection helps staff notice what is working, what feels challenging, and what support, learning, or adjustment may be needed.
Calm Practice Matters
Wellbeing Is Supported By Calm, Sustainable Routines
Sustainable practice includes noticing when support, recovery, clear communication, or workload adjustment may be needed. Staff wellbeing supports calm, safe, and consistent practice with children, families, and teams.
When Content Feels Heavy
Pause And Support
Some Induction Content Can Be Confronting
Sections on child safety, family violence, harm, abuse, reportable conduct, trauma, and child protection may feel upsetting or personal for some staff.
If induction content feels heavy, pause and access appropriate support. Use the Employee Assistance Program Policy on the Staff Resources website or the wellbeing information available through the NERPSA App.
Professional Sustainability
Role Clarity
Know What Is Expected
Position Descriptions, service procedures, rosters, communication pathways, and induction content help staff understand what is expected and where to seek direction.
Early Support
Do Not Carry Concerns Alone
Workload, role clarity, conduct, safety, and wellbeing concerns should be raised early through the relevant NERPSA pathway, such as a service leader, Education Manager, NERPSA Manager, HR, payroll contact, Staff Resources website, NERPSA App, EAP information, or the Compliments and Complaints process, depending on the concern.
NERPSA Resources Connected To This Section
Resource Connection
Use Current NERPSA Staff Resources
Key connected resources include the Employee Assistance Program Policy, staff wellbeing information, Position Descriptions, Staff Handbook information, Code of Conduct, Staffing information, Work Health and Safety information, and Compliments and Complaints processes.
Useful Resources
Employee Assistance Program Policy
Located on the Staff Resources website. Use this policy for current EAP provider details, access instructions, and support options.
Open Staff ResourcesNERPSA App
Use the NERPSA App to access current staff wellbeing, EAP information, staff resources, and forms.
Open NERPSA App
Required Induction Activity
Watch The Staff Wellbeing Video
Watch the staff wellbeing video: open the wellbeing video.
Think about one practical habit or support that may help you work sustainably in early childhood education and care.
Wellbeing Supports Safe And Sustainable Practice
Sustainable work is supported by respectful communication, clear expectations, appropriate breaks, reflective practice, early support, and knowing where to access NERPSA’s EAP and wellbeing resources.