In early childhood education (ECE), wellbeing isn’t a ‘nice to have’. It’s essential.
It influences everything from kaiako health and job satisfaction to the quality of relationships they build with children, families, and colleagues.
Yet too often, educator wellbeing is framed purely as self-care. While personal strategies like mindfulness, healthy eating, and exercise have their place, research shows this focus is incomplete. Educator wellbeing is shaped just as much by the systems, culture, and leadership within a centre (and, indeed, the wider community) as it is by individual habits.
It’s time to look beyond self-care and move towards an integrated setting approach.
Why Wellbeing Matters for Children’s Learning
A growing body of evidence links kaiako wellbeing directly to educational outcomes. When educators feel safe, supported, and valued, they’re more engaged, better able to manage the emotional demands of the role, and more present in their interactions with tamariki. In contrast, environments with high stress, poor leadership, or toxic culture can erode not only staff morale but also the quality of teaching and learning.
The Limitations of ‘Self-Care First’
While it’s empowering to take ownership of personal health and stress management, educators can’t simply ‘self-care’ their way out of unsupportive leadership, unclear role expectations, or a culture of competition. These systemic issues require organisational solutions.
Factors that commonly undermine educator wellbeing include:
- Unsupportive leadership or management
- Lack of role clarity
- High or inconsistent workloads
- Discrimination or exclusion
- Workplace competition rather than collaboration
- Navigating emotional responsibilities without manaakitanga or collective care
- Feeling undervalued or insecure in the role
Even when job demands are high, the right protections, structures, and culture can enable educators to thrive, managing healthy job pressure and challenge, rather than stress.
Principles for a Thriving Workplace
At 4E’s Consulting, we guide ECE leaders through a set of evidence-based principles to embed wellbeing into the heart of their practice and operations:
- Create a Positive Culture and Environment
Make wellbeing part of your organisational DNA. Foster an environment where kaiako feel respected, heard, and supported every day. Not just during wellbeing weeks.
- Recognise Kaiako as Professionals
Acknowledge the expertise, capability, and value educators bring. Professional respect builds pride and motivation.
- Acknowledge Educators’ Autonomy
Give kaiako agency in how (and whether) they engage with wellbeing initiatives. Choice fosters genuine engagement rather than compliance.
- Promote Respectful Relationships
Encourage collaboration and trust between staff, whānau, and the wider learning community. Respectful relationships are the backbone of a healthy workplace.
- Make Wellbeing Resources Accessible and Inclusive
Provide a range of accessible and inclusive readings and resources to guide kaiako in seeking additional help should they require it. Design your own in centre, well-being check-in processes to touch base and support kaiako.
- Use Evidence-Informed Practice
Design wellbeing initiatives using high-quality, relevant evidence. Collect local data to track progress and adapt strategies.
- Keep Initiatives Practical and Adaptable
Wellbeing strategies should be relevant to educators’ daily mahi and flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances. Involve the team in what works for them.
- Build Psychological Safety Within Your Organisation
Ensure you have an open-door policy with your team and encourage team members to speak up, ask questions, admit mistakes, or offer ideas without fear of embarrassment or punishment. Help staff to feel safe to take interpersonal risks in your group setting.
When staff have trust and confidence that others will act with integrity, competence, and goodwill, they are more likely to share ideas, feedback, and concerns freely, promoting team cohesion and problem solving with enhanced productivity.
Moving Forward: Leadership’s Role
Leadership is the critical lever in improving kaiako wellbeing. It’s leaders who set the tone, establish systems, and model the values that create a thriving workplace. By taking a holistic view, considering both the personal and organisational dimensions, leaders can ensure wellbeing is not just a slogan, but a lived experience for every educator.
At its heart, kaiako wellbeing is about creating an environment where people can bring their best selves to work. We want educators in Aotearoa to not just survive the day, but to feel energised, respected, and inspired. And when that happens, the benefits ripple out to tamariki, whānau, and communities we serve.
How 4E’s Consulting Can Help
We work with ECE services across New Zealand to develop tailored wellbeing strategies that go beyond self-care: building positive cultures, strong leadership practices, and systems that sustain staff wellbeing long-term.
If you’d like to explore how a whole-of-setting approach could transform your team’s culture and outcomes, get in touch today.