Workforce wellbeing in focus as OAC introduces pregnancy loss support

Only About Children (OAC) has become the first Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) provider to partner with The Pink Elephants Support Network, giving all team members access to specialist support and resources for miscarriage and early pregnancy loss.

Cleo Rowley, Executive Director People & Culture at OAC, said the partnership reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting its people through significant and often deeply personal life experiences, “At Only About Children, we believe that caring for our people is fundamental to delivering exceptional outcomes for children and families,” Cleo said.

“Miscarriage and early pregnancy loss can have a profound emotional and physical impact on individuals and families. Through this partnership, we are ensuring our employees have access to expert support, practical resources and a community that understands what they are going through, when they need it most.”

The new partnership builds on OAC's recently enhanced Paid Parental Leave offering and reflects the organisation's commitment to supporting team member wellbeing through all stages of life. OAC recognises that when team members feel supported, valued and cared for, they are better positioned to create safe, nurturing and positive environments for children and families. 

Pregnancy loss is a significant but often unspoken experience. In Australia, one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, impacting more than 100,000 couples each year. On average, around 285 Australian families experience miscarriage every day. 

Despite its prevalence, many people continue to navigate pregnancy loss in silence, often returning to work while managing the emotional and physical impacts of their experience. Research cited by The Pink Elephants Support Network highlights that nearly three-quarters of women who experience miscarriage report feeling unsupported, including in the workplace. 

Through the partnership, OAC team members can access a range of specialist support services, including an Emotional Support Resource Library featuring expert-led videos and information, peer support communities, one-to-one peer support, a dedicated pregnancy loss helpline, and resources for partners, People Leaders and colleagues supporting someone through loss.

The resources are available on demand, allowing team members to seek support whenever and wherever they need it.

For OAC, the partnership represents a natural extension of its people-first culture and a recognition that team member wellbeing is closely linked to the quality of care and education delivered across its campuses.

Cleo continued, "This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting our people through life's significant moments and creating a culture of empathy, care and support. It also equips people leaders and colleagues with the tools, confidence and understanding to offer emotional support and foster a culture of empathy, connection and care across our organisation."

The initiative also supports OAC's broader approach to child safety, which recognises that creating safe environments for children starts with creating safe environments for the people who care for them.

Rather than viewing child safety solely through the lens of policies and compliance, OAC takes a holistic approach that places team member wellbeing at the centre of organisational culture. The organisation believes that educators who feel psychologically safe are better equipped to build trusting relationships, exercise sound professional judgement and provide the consistent, high-quality care that children need to thrive.

By investing in wellbeing initiatives and fostering a culture where team members feel comfortable seeking support during significant life events, OAC aims to strengthen both workplace wellbeing and child-safe practice.

Sam Payne, Co-Founder and CEO of The Pink Elephants Support Network welcomed the partnership, describing workplace support as a critical part of the recovery journey following pregnancy loss.

"For too long, pregnancy loss has been treated as something people are expected to navigate on their own. Workplaces have an important role to play in creating environments where employees feel supported, understood and able to access help when they need it," she said.

Sam continued, "When organisations acknowledge pregnancy loss and provide ongoing support, it helps reduce stigma and sends a powerful message that employee wellbeing matters. We're proud to partner with Only About Children, whose commitment to supporting employee wellbeing is helping set a new benchmark for the ECEC sector while also contributing to more open and supportive conversations around pregnancy loss," 

The partnership reflects a growing focus on workforce wellbeing across the ECEC sector, where providers continue to look for meaningful ways to attract, retain and support talented educators and professionals.

By becoming the first organisation in the sector to partner with The Pink Elephants Support Network and provide dedicated miscarriage and early pregnancy loss support, OAC is reinforcing its commitment to wellbeing, child safety and a culture of care where no team member has to navigate pregnancy loss alone.