Shine Bright brings out Wellbeing Journal for ECEC staff to celebrate Educator’s Day

Victorian early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Shine Bright EYM has celebrated Early Childhood Educator’s Day by providing a wellbeing journal to all staff, volunteers, students, and support workers who are involved with one of the 35 Shine Bright kindergartens across the state.

The wellbeing journal is an organisational initiative to support staff to strengthen their wellbeing and mental health through connection with the broader community. 

“Wellbeing isn’t just about self-care. In a workplace there are industry, organisation and individual aspects to wellbeing,” explained Suzi Sordan, CEO of Shine Bright. 

“The past two years have been extremely challenging for all early childhood professionals, with COVID-19 impacting daily activities. The introduction of a wellbeing journal to support staff with their own self-care to maintain self-confidence and self-esteem, building resilience and helping to feel well rested and energised will have an ongoing impact.”

Social Worker and Art Therapist Amelia Johnson led a team of dedicated staff to produce the journal which positions staff wellbeing as a key priority. 

“The staff of the 35 Shine Bright kindergartens are a strong and inclusive group of people who value relationships, community and wellbeing,” Ms Johnson explained. 

Shine Bright hopes that by staff looking after their own wellbeing they can in turn provide children with a safe place where they can express emotion, build resilience and establish meaningful relationships. 

“We are very proud to have created the wellbeing journal with multiple modalities through which to explore wellbeing. We hope to encourage participation through a collective experience and look forward to being able to continue this work,” Ms Sordan continued, thanking the staff of all Shine Bright kindergartens for their ongoing support and dedication through the past few difficult years.

“The benefits to families and the community by our dedicated staff have not gone unrecognised, and we wish to acknowledge this on Early Childhood Educator’s Day with the release of the journal.”