R U OK? Day is on the way – what does this mean for ECEC?

R U OK? Day is an annual opportunity for friendship groups, family groups, workplaces, communities and sporting clubs to check in with one another, and have meaningful conversations that focus on mental health and wellbeing. 

On 12 September 2024, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across Australia will participate in the initiative, with the 2024 theme being ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day. 

While the R U OK? Day initiative falls on one day, the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) encourages the ECEC sector to check in with their coworkers and the families they care for throughout the year, saying “it is important to check in with staff and encourage service-wide action to ensure the wellbeing of educators, service leaders, children and families.”

In a recent post, ahead of R U OK? Day and in line with the challenging winter months, ACECQA offered some advice about how service providers can prioritise mental health and wellbeing, and build a strong and sustainable team that improves outcomes for all stakeholders.

R U OK? Day has a collection of resources and supports which can guide people at all levels of ECEC through what can sometimes be challenging and confronting conversations. 

There are also a number of resources available to help services to acknowledge and promote R U OK? Day, and mental health and wellbeing more broadly. 

Please visit the R U OK? Day website to learn more.