R U OK? Day: How We Promote Wellbeing at Nido

At Nido Early School, we believe that emotional wellbeing begins in early childhood, and promoting an environment of care, connection, and support is essential for children’s development.

R U OK? Day serves as an important reminder to check in with those around us, nurturing a culture of open communication and kindness, values we integrate daily in our approach to early education.

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, our educators prioritise creating spaces where children feel safe to express themselves. Through collaborative group activities, creative play, and meaningful discussions, we encourage children to share their feelings and thoughts in a supportive environment. Building trusting relationships with both children and their families allows us to better understand their emotional needs and foster a sense of belonging.

We also emphasise the importance of mental wellbeing for our educators, ensuring that they are equipped with the resources and support needed to take care of their own mental health. By modelling positive communication and mindfulness, educators create a nurturing atmosphere that encourages both children and adults to ask, “Are you OK?”.

At Nido, wellbeing is at the heart of what we do, not just on R U OK? Day, but every day.

Resources:

Lifeline Australia – 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services: 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au
Kids Helpline – Free, confidential online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25: 1800 55 1800 or visit kidshelpline.com.au
Beyond Blue – Support for mental health issues like depression and anxiety: 1300 22 4636 or visit beyondblue.org.au
Headspace – Mental health support for young people aged 12-25: visit headspace.org.au
R U OK? – Resources and tips for starting meaningful conversations: visit ruok.org.au

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Hi Georgina,

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the recruitment of Centre Directors and Educators to join the expanding Nido family.

With so many open roles in the sector at the moment, I think we should be talking about the differences that really sets Nido apart. From my own experience, they are not always obvious from the outside, but when you get to meet the Nido family you really feel it.

Leaving my previous employer, who I was with for over 10 years, was not an easy decision. I had interviews with a few different companies, before finding my home at Nido.

I remember walking out of that initial interview, literally with tears in my eyes, I knew I had finally found what I had been looking for.

As you mentioned, honesty and integrity are critical and a given, our Services, resources and environments speak for themselves, and candidates merely need to look at our website to understand how engaging and wonderful they are.

We really need to focus more on what a Centre Director and an Educator will experience at Nido;

Authenticity; At Nido they will get honesty with heart
Trust and understanding; At Nido you are treated from day one, as competent and capable
We have the opportunity to inspire Educators and children to reach their full potential and change their worlds for the better, this still delights me everyday
At Nido you can make your mark in the world and are given the respect and autonomy to do what you love and truly make a difference
Collaboration – we are one team, far and wide we inspire and challenge each other
Nido is a family, for me, I have the overwhelming sense of belonging at Nido, my people and my home, this is what drew me to Nido in the first place

I am continually driven by our purpose;

To provide our Educators with the training, environment, motivation, and empowerment to deliver exceeding quality education to children, partnering with families, and giving children a voice and the opportunity to lead wonderful fulfilling lives.

I love that we seek to make quality early education available to everyone, regardless of their economic position. That we focus more on suburban children and advocate for their rights, Nido is truly a movement and not one to join without knowing you will need to put your heart on the line every single day.

Mary Oliver asked “What will you do with your one wild and precious life”, I cannot think of anything more fulfilling than what I get to do every day at Nido.

Kind regards,
Danika x