Building a culture of care: how Jamberoo Preschool and Rachael Coopes are making R U OK?Day matter year-round

As R U OK?Day approaches on Thursday 11 September, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across the country are once again being called on to shine a light on emotional wellbeing, kindness and connection.

 

But for Jamberoo Community Preschool in New South Wales, these principles aren’t confined to a single day, they’re embedded into the everyday learning, routines and relationships that define their service.

 

“Embedding an R U OK? culture means making emotional wellbeing part of our everyday language and practice,” explains Belinda Hibbert, Director of the not-for-profit preschool, which has been supporting children and families in the region for over 35 years.

 

“We use age-appropriate tools like emotion cards, kindness trees, and storytelling to help children understand what it means to check in with a friend. It’s not a one-off activity, it’s woven into our routines, our conversations, and our relationships with families.”

 

 

Belinda and her team support up to 76 children aged three to five each week and are the only preschool in a rapidly growing area, with a waitlist of more than 150 children. Despite ongoing challenges, including repeated flooding events, the service has remained steadfast in its commitment to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment.

 

One of the ways this commitment is expressed is through a strong focus on staff wellbeing.

 

“Our team is encouraged to share how they’re feeling, and we use visual cues like thumbs up/down to signal when someone needs a moment or support,” she said.

 

“Making sure every educator has their planned time off the floor for program and planning also contributes to staff wellbeing, so they feel organised and on top of their planning for the children. Everyone wins in this situation.”

 

Jamberoo operates with educator-to-child ratios well above the regulated minimum, with six educators working with 30 children each day.

 

 

“This means educators are supported, their wellbeing is catered for, and supporting one another happens naturally. Children benefit too, with many more opportunities to form trusting and caring relationships.”

 

This culture of connection is also reflected in the children themselves.

 

 

“The response has been heartwarming,” Belinda said. “We’ve seen children check in with each other, offer comfort, and even initiate conversations about feelings. It’s helped build a culture of care and connection, not just among the children, but across our whole preschool.”

 

For Rachael Coopes, ABC Play School presenter and R U OK? Ambassador, the importance of these early lessons in empathy and emotional literacy cannot be overstated.

 

 

“The R U OK? message is vital at this age because it helps children learn that emotions are normal and talking about them is safe,” she shared.

 

“When we nurture emotional literacy early, we empower children to build resilience and empathy from the very beginning.”

 

Rachael, who has worked with young people for decades and is a parent herself, sees everyday conversations as a powerful tool for connection.

 

“From when he was very young, I have always believed the quality of my relationship with my son is directly linked to how well we are connecting. For children, feeling that connection, knowing that someone cares enough to ask can be transformative.”

 

“They model kindness, curiosity, and compassion every day. By embedding the R U OK? message into daily routines, whether story time, play, or gentle check-ins, early learning services can create environments where care and connection are not just encouraged but expected.”

 

Resources like the R U OK? The education program, Rachael added, provides a valuable foundation for these conversations.

 

“It helps educators and families guide children in recognising emotions and responding with empathy, skills that will serve them for life.”

 

As R U OK?Day draws near, both Belinda and Rachael are united in the hope that the day becomes more than a calendar event.

 

“Connection starts with a question,” Rachael said. “Let’s teach our children that checking in with others is not just something we do on R U OK?Day, it’s something we do any day, because every feeling matters.”

 

To learn more or to access free resources for your service, visit www.ruok.org.au