[vc_row padding_top_multiplier=”” rc_link_color=”primary-1″ rc_link_hover_color=”primary-6″][vc_column][vc_row_inner padding_top_multiplier=””][vc_column_inner][crocal_single_image image=”8480″ image_shape=”radius-10″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][crocal_title heading_tag=”h2″ heading=”h5″]This week, we are sharing a self-care guide for teachers and nursery practitioners who do too much.[/crocal_title][vc_column_text]Nursery teachers and early-year practitioners always go the extra mile to provide care and support to our little superheroes and their families, especially during these extraordinarily challenging times.
It’s only to be expected that they may be experiencing more stress than usual, and nursery management all over the country are looking out for ways to improve the well-being of their staff.
Make your staff happy
Rewarding your staff and letting them know how much you appreciate them is always the best practice in staff management.
The happiness of your staff is the key to a happy, relaxed setting.
Nursery teachers spend their time working directly with children, and when they’re content and feel valued, the nursery will be a happy setting.
Promoting well-being at your nursery
Staff well-being is all about being able to work more effectively and spending quality time with the children they’re caring for, while at the same time making time for themselves.
A well-balanced life with time for self-care is essential for the well-being of nursery staff. Here are a few simple ways of supporting the well-being and happiness of your nursery teachers.
• Eat healthily
We always take care that children eat well, but we can improve our own health with foods that taste delicious and are good for us. Try out foods known to lift the mood, such as blueberries, dark chocolate, sweet potato, avocado and chamomile tea. Bon Appetit!
• Get enough sleep
Getting enough good-quality sleep is essential for staff well-being. We need between six and eight hours of sleep to detox the mind and rest the body, giving us energy for the next busy day at nursery.
Improve your sleep by turning off screens, phones etc., an hour or so before bedtime and avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking. A warm bath or a hot drink in the evening can help you to fall asleep. Lavender essential oil is renowned for inducing sleep, so try a few drops in your bath or on your pillow.
• Remember to be kind to yourself
Try not to be self-critical. We often expect too much of ourselves, but we should be careful not to fall into a pattern of negative thoughts. When you’ve had an exhausting day, and you think you could have done more, tell yourself that you’ve done your best, it’s good enough and that you’ll get through this!
• Do something for yourself
Nursery teams always think about things that will make others happy but don’t forget to make time for the things you enjoy. It doesn’t matter what it is: dancing, knitting, reading, swimming, dogs, cats, picnics outdoors – the list is varied! Making time for something that’s just for you will make you happy and equip you better for your role as a nursery practitioner.
What can you do to support the well-being of your staff?
A simple way to enhance the well-being of your staff is to spend time together outdoors. There’s increasing evidence that spending time outside, especially in forests and parks, reduces stress and lowers cortisol levels.
While we’re not all lucky enough to live near a forest, spending time outside in the fresh air is a fantastic way to boost your well-being.
So now that we can spend time together outdoors, why not organise a picnic? The sun’s shining (hopefully!), and it’s a perfect way to improve morale and bring joy to your team.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
