If you are working in an Early Years setting, then we don’t need to tell you how challenging it can be. Working in these settings, we know more than anyone what it’s like to adore your profession yet also feel completely drained by it. There has been a huge rise in mental health conditions in those working in the early years sector in recent years.
Just a few of the many reasons our colleagues and friends in the industry are feeling the strain include a lack of qualified, experienced staff on the island resulting in harsher workloads for those who are qualified, children needing more support post-Covid and more children presenting with additional needs; the copious amounts of admin and paperwork that often spills over into personal time; plus the fact that those in the job since before or during 2020 worked through Covid times.
It all sounds a bit bleak. But we know it isn’t. Even with all these challenges, we know that staff like ours love coming to work. They love seeing the children they care for thrive and grow and love the job that chose them - not the job they chose.
That being said, we also realise how important it is to take mental health seriously, just as seriously as we would take physical health. Here we’re going to explain why...
Mental Health In A Nursery Setting
Working in a nursery setting is no easy feat. The job is very rewarding - but also demanding.
Unlike other jobs where you can take a slow day if you’re feeling overwhelmed, or nip off for a chat in the staff kitchen while making a coffee, if you’re working in a nursery, you can’t leave your post. You’re always ‘on’.
This can put a strain on even the most patient of us. It takes a very special type of person to be able to remain calm and composed in a setting where you’re not feeling your best and there are excitable children running around your feet!
Here at Hopes & Dreams, we make sure our team get enough breaks to keep them feeling refreshed. Much like our staff room snack cupboard! We recognise the need for a quiet, chilled space that the team can escape to. As much as we love all the children in our care, sometimes you just need a moment of… nothing!
Mental Health Awareness
For many years, mental health was almost a taboo subject. Admitting to a mental health condition carried a stigma, which meant many would just keep quiet and suffer alone.
Thankfully, work has now been done to destigmatise mental health conditions and treatment. There is an ongoing effort to encourage people to share their personal experiences to raise awareness of mental health issues and show people that there is no need for anyone to suffer in silence.
Here at Hopes & Dreams, we know how important it is to work together to support mental health awareness. As an employer, we feel it’s essential that we take a role in providing mental health support to our team. There are a number of ways we do this…
Promoting Staff Wellbeing
Identifying Sources Of Stress
At Hopes & Dreams, we are always on the lookout for any sources of stress in the nursery setting. It is important to identify these early so that we can find a solution to help make the setting or situation less stressful and prevent burnout. Our aim is to make our staff’s lives easier, not harder, so removing any unnecessary stress from the workplace is vital.
Break Time
As we mentioned earlier, everyone needs a bit of time out once in a while to gather themselves. During the working day, we ensure we provide opportunities for staff to take breaks and prioritise self-care as much as possible. Giving them the time and space needed to feel positive and confident for the rest of the day.
Open Communications
We want to provide support to our staff wherever possible and have a culture of open communication where staff are able to speak to managers and team leaders about anything without fear of judgement.
Mental Health First Aid
What Is It?
Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognised training program which trains those who attend how to offer initial support to those suffering from mental health issues. Much like physical first aid courses, it doesn’t teach people to treat or diagnose conditions, just how to give appropriate care until professional help is sought.
How It Helps
Within the workplace, a Mental Health First Aider (someone who has attended the course) will serve as the first point of contact for any staff struggling with their mental health. They will have been trained to recognise early signs of mental illness and be able to suggest solutions or referrals to other support agencies.
Here at Hopes & Dreams, we recognise the importance of having a go-to person who can offer help and support when needed. That is why we ensure that each of our settings has a trained Mental Health First Aider to provide the link between any member of staff experiencing poor mental health and any appropriate support available to them.
Happy Staff, Happy Children
We know that our settings are nothing without our people. Our staff members and colleagues are the ones who bring the happiness, dedication and delight that makes Hopes & Dreams what it is.
Providing them with all they need to feel secure, safe and well, mentally and physically, is one of our most important roles and one that we do our utmost to keep.
If you’re interested to learn a bit more about what it’s like to work in a nursery setting, you can check out our blog: Behind The Scenes: A Day In The Life Of A Nursery Practitioner.
