Supporting Educators Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education
Support from Burnout and Stress
Supporting Educators Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education - Support from Burnout and Stress
Tuesday 21st July 2026
6:30pm - 8:30pm AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland)
6:00pm - 8:00pm - South Australia, Northern Territory
Tuesday 4th August 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm - AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland)
6:00pm - 8:00pm - Western Australia
Prices:
Individual - $160- Team - $599
Tax Deductible, Certificate received for Professional Development
Overview
This comprehensive wellbeing program is designed to support the mental health and emotional resilience of early childhood educators. Across key focus areas — including stress, depression, anxiety, and crisis support — we explore the unique challenges educators face and offer practical, reflective strategies grounded in emotional intelligence and connection. From understanding stress triggers and supporting team wellbeing, self-care practices, to implementing nature-based practices and drawing on Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory, this program fosters a safe, compassionate environment where educators feel empowered, supported, and seen.
About the Facilitator
Kelly Hallas has worked in Early Childhood Education for 26 years. She has worked across Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia; United Kingdom; and New York City, and Denver, Colorado, USA.
Kelly has spent the last month supporting multiple early learning centres in Melbourne, Victoria implementing Child Safe Practices and Child Protection Practices
Kelly is completing her Masters in Early Childhood; Masters in Play Therapy, Masters in Psychology - Mental Health and Wellbeing; Masters in Autism; Masters in Public Health; Graduate Certificate in Adverse Childhood Experiences
Kelly has her Masters in Counselling, Masters in Business Administration, and her Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology
Kelly is a passionate advocate of survivors of Domestic Violence (and also a survivor), and Sexual Assault, and has a not for profit supporting survivors across Australia.
Kelly conducts group session trainings supporting Mental Health, Power of Positivity, implementing Therapeutic Practices to support Self-Care and Wellbeing
Kelly is passionate about Mental Health and Wellbeing; Erik Erikson's 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development across the lifespan; positive aging; nature and wellbeing; and the power of positivity and resilience.
What Early Childhood Educators Learn:
This module is designed to support early childhood educators, leaders, and services in recognising and responding to stress, anxiety, depression, and other complex wellbeing challenges—both within themselves and their teams. In a profession grounded in care, connection, and emotional presence, it’s essential to acknowledge the invisible load educators carry each day.
Through practical strategies, personal reflection tools, and team-based approaches, this module explores how to build a mentally healthy work culture—one where it’s safe to not be okay, and where seeking support is normalised. Topics include managing burnout, identifying personal triggers, supporting colleagues in crisis, and fostering everyday wellbeing habits. At its heart, this module is a reminder: educators are human first, and their wellbeing is vital to the success of every child, team, and service.
Topics Overview:
Topics:
Support with Stress
Understanding stress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion
Common causes and daily impacts in early childhood settings
Practical strategies: quiet spaces, debriefs, and supportive routines
Support with Depression
Recognising depression in yourself or colleagues
Listening without needing to fix
Encouraging help-seeking and reducing stigma
Support with Anxiety
Signs of anxiety in educators and children
Supporting colleagues through anxious moments
Tools: grounding, planning support, emotional check-ins
Stress in Early Childhood
Emotional labour and vicarious trauma
The invisible load of caregiving and planning
Reducing environmental stressors like noise and chaos
Identify Your Triggers
Personal reflection on common stress triggers
Building awareness and creating a personal regulation plan
Using stress journals for self-awareness and growth
Building Strong Mental Health
Everyday habits: sleep, movement, nutrition, boundaries
Realistic self-care and supportive team culture
Normalising mental health conversations
Recognise the Beauty of Positive
Protective power of gratitude, laughter, and joy
Celebrating small wins and authentic positivity
Shifting team mindset toward strengths-based thinking
Coping Strategies
Box breathing, movement breaks, journaling, music
Creating personal coping plans
Team wellbeing toolkits and calm corners
Supporting Educator Wellbeing through Emotional Strength
Supporting educator wellbeing through social and emotional skill development.
Explore strategies to build resilience, including emotional regulation and healthy communication.
Fostering supportive team culture that prioritises mental health and connection.
The Power of Nature and Wellbeing
Explore how nature-based practices can support educator wellbeing and build emotional resilience.
Reflect on how connection to the natural world can restore balance, reduce stress, and nurture a deeper sense of calm.
Practical tools to integrate nature into daily routines, both personally and professionally.
Erik Erikson's Power of Positive Aging
Understand Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development across adulthood to understand the evolving identity, purpose, and relational needs of adults working in early childhood education. Explore stages - Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, and Integrity vs. Despair, where we can better support educators in navigating personal growth, connection, and meaning in their work and personal life.
Through reflection and dialogue, we’ll identify ways to nurture resilience, purpose, and wellbeing across the educator journey.
Supporting Educators in Crisis Situations
Responding to disclosures of self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Steps to ensure safety and follow-up support
Supporting educators experiencing domestic violence
Offering resources, confidentiality, and compassion
Educator Toolkit Components
Goals:
Strategies:
Learning Experiences:
Resources:
Final Thoughts:
Mental health matters—every day, for everyone.
Leadership is about creating safe spaces where truth is welcome, and help is available.
Tuesday 21st July 2026
6:30pm - 8:30pm AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland)
6:00pm - 8:00pm - South Australia, Northern Territory
Tuesday 4th August 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm - AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland)
6:00pm - 8:00pm - Western Australia
Prices:
Individual - $160- Team - $599
Tax Deductible, Certificate received for Professional Development
Overview
This comprehensive wellbeing program is designed to support the mental health and emotional resilience of early childhood educators. Across key focus areas — including stress, depression, anxiety, and crisis support — we explore the unique challenges educators face and offer practical, reflective strategies grounded in emotional intelligence and connection. From understanding stress triggers and supporting team wellbeing, self-care practices, to implementing nature-based practices and drawing on Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory, this program fosters a safe, compassionate environment where educators feel empowered, supported, and seen.
About the Facilitator
Kelly Hallas has worked in Early Childhood Education for 26 years. She has worked across Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia; United Kingdom; and New York City, and Denver, Colorado, USA.
Kelly has spent the last month supporting multiple early learning centres in Melbourne, Victoria implementing Child Safe Practices and Child Protection Practices
Kelly is completing her Masters in Early Childhood; Masters in Play Therapy, Masters in Psychology - Mental Health and Wellbeing; Masters in Autism; Masters in Public Health; Graduate Certificate in Adverse Childhood Experiences
Kelly has her Masters in Counselling, Masters in Business Administration, and her Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology
Kelly is a passionate advocate of survivors of Domestic Violence (and also a survivor), and Sexual Assault, and has a not for profit supporting survivors across Australia.
Kelly conducts group session trainings supporting Mental Health, Power of Positivity, implementing Therapeutic Practices to support Self-Care and Wellbeing
Kelly is passionate about Mental Health and Wellbeing; Erik Erikson's 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development across the lifespan; positive aging; nature and wellbeing; and the power of positivity and resilience.
What Early Childhood Educators Learn:
This module is designed to support early childhood educators, leaders, and services in recognising and responding to stress, anxiety, depression, and other complex wellbeing challenges—both within themselves and their teams. In a profession grounded in care, connection, and emotional presence, it’s essential to acknowledge the invisible load educators carry each day.
Through practical strategies, personal reflection tools, and team-based approaches, this module explores how to build a mentally healthy work culture—one where it’s safe to not be okay, and where seeking support is normalised. Topics include managing burnout, identifying personal triggers, supporting colleagues in crisis, and fostering everyday wellbeing habits. At its heart, this module is a reminder: educators are human first, and their wellbeing is vital to the success of every child, team, and service.
Topics Overview:
- Support with Stress
- Support with Depression
- Support with Anxiety
- Stress in Early Childhood
- Identify Your Triggers
- Building Strong Mental Health
- Recognise the Beauty of Positive
- Coping Strategies
- Supporting Educator Wellbeing through Emotional Strength
- The Power of Nature and Wellbeing
- Erik Erikson's Power of Positive Aging
- Supporting Educators in Crisis Situations
- Educator Toolkit Components:
- Goals
- Strategies
- Learning Experiences
- Resources
- Final Thoughts
Topics:
Support with Stress
Understanding stress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion
Common causes and daily impacts in early childhood settings
Practical strategies: quiet spaces, debriefs, and supportive routines
Support with Depression
Recognising depression in yourself or colleagues
Listening without needing to fix
Encouraging help-seeking and reducing stigma
Support with Anxiety
Signs of anxiety in educators and children
Supporting colleagues through anxious moments
Tools: grounding, planning support, emotional check-ins
Stress in Early Childhood
Emotional labour and vicarious trauma
The invisible load of caregiving and planning
Reducing environmental stressors like noise and chaos
Identify Your Triggers
Personal reflection on common stress triggers
Building awareness and creating a personal regulation plan
Using stress journals for self-awareness and growth
Building Strong Mental Health
Everyday habits: sleep, movement, nutrition, boundaries
Realistic self-care and supportive team culture
Normalising mental health conversations
Recognise the Beauty of Positive
Protective power of gratitude, laughter, and joy
Celebrating small wins and authentic positivity
Shifting team mindset toward strengths-based thinking
Coping Strategies
Box breathing, movement breaks, journaling, music
Creating personal coping plans
Team wellbeing toolkits and calm corners
Supporting Educator Wellbeing through Emotional Strength
Supporting educator wellbeing through social and emotional skill development.
Explore strategies to build resilience, including emotional regulation and healthy communication.
Fostering supportive team culture that prioritises mental health and connection.
The Power of Nature and Wellbeing
Explore how nature-based practices can support educator wellbeing and build emotional resilience.
Reflect on how connection to the natural world can restore balance, reduce stress, and nurture a deeper sense of calm.
Practical tools to integrate nature into daily routines, both personally and professionally.
Erik Erikson's Power of Positive Aging
Understand Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development across adulthood to understand the evolving identity, purpose, and relational needs of adults working in early childhood education. Explore stages - Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, and Integrity vs. Despair, where we can better support educators in navigating personal growth, connection, and meaning in their work and personal life.
Through reflection and dialogue, we’ll identify ways to nurture resilience, purpose, and wellbeing across the educator journey.
Supporting Educators in Crisis Situations
Responding to disclosures of self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Steps to ensure safety and follow-up support
Supporting educators experiencing domestic violence
Offering resources, confidentiality, and compassion
Educator Toolkit Components
Goals:
- Build emotional resilience, manage stress, and foster team wellbeing.
- Enhance self-awareness and personal coping strategies.
- Support a safe, inclusive, and mentally healthy workplace culture.
Strategies:
- Reflective journaling, mindfulness, and nature-based practices.
- Peer support, team check-ins, and wellbeing toolkits.
- Coping plans, grounding, and emotional regulation techniques.
- Positive reinforcement, celebration of strengths, and gratitude practices.
Learning Experiences:
- Reflection exercises and guided journaling.
- Team workshops and peer mentoring.
- Discussions supporting crisis response and emotional support.
- Nature immersion and mindfulness sessions.
- Case studies and discussion of real-life challenges.
Resources:
- Digital/physical journals, mindfulness apps, team wellbeing toolkits.
- Mental health guides and crisis support hotlines.
- Reflection templates, nature integration guides, and Erikson’s psychosocial development tools.
- Positivity tools: sticky notes, reflection boards, digital trackers.
Final Thoughts:
Mental health matters—every day, for everyone.
Leadership is about creating safe spaces where truth is welcome, and help is available.
