How should we go about caring for babies whose parents request that they are left to cry in the cot without comfort (cry it out) or similar sleep training methods for sleep times?

Question: How should we go about caring for babies whose parents request that they are left to cry in the cot without comfort (cry it out) or similar sleep training methods for sleep times?

Answer:

Spend some time showing the family the sleep space and routine. You may need to explain the limitations of sleeping in a group environment, in that a crying baby may impact the sleep of others, and that the different smells, sounds and sights may mean children need more or less support to sleep than at home.

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Newborn baby asleep in a cot with a caregiver's hand resting gently on the baby's torso

How can we ensure our QIP is a living document, which allows all educators to regularly contribute and stay up to date with our overall goals?

Question: How can we ensure our QIP is a living document, which allows all educators to regularly contribute and stay up to date with our overall goals?

Answer:

Focus less on people working directly with the document and more on how they engage with the process.

Having a 50-page document in the staff room that educators can look at on their lunch break probably won’t get their attention or their inspiration flowing. Make the process approachable to staff by using plain language and a user-friendly format that meets their needs.

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Woman working at a desk, holding her phone, her laptop is open, and working alongside her other team members

What can I do to support a very tired team? I’ve only just taken up the educational leader role and it’s going to be an uphill climb for everyone as morale is extremely low.

Question: What can I do to support a very tired team? I’ve only just taken up the educational leader role and it’s going to be an uphill climb for everyone as morale is extremely low.

Answer:

During these tricky times, support for your team is crucial, and the best way to do this is by building meaningful relationships. You can do this by having one-on-one meetings with each educator in your team.

Some of the questions you can ask:

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Woman with eyes closed, contemplating her next move

Help! The children in my 2–3s room don’t listen to me. How can I be firmer with them?

Question: Help! The children in my 2–3s room don’t listen to me. How can I be firmer with them?

Answer:

We hear you! Whilst 2 to 3-year-olds are a delightful and exuberant age group, we can often feel like their behaviour is challenging us.

When engaged with something, they find it difficult to shift their attention to something else – so even though they might hear your voice, they don’t yet have the capacity to stop what they’re doing and focus on your instruction. Your lack of loudness or firmness has nothing to do with it – speaking quietly and not adding to the already busy environment is more helpful here.

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Angry, overwhelmed child sitting at a table, massaging his temples

Are progressive meal times a good idea? How do we know if it’s right for our service?

Question: Are progressive meal times a good idea? How do we know if it’s right for our service?

Answer:

Whatever your service type, progressive meals are a wonderful way for children to have more choice and freedom in the program. Mealtimes are also a way for children to connect – smaller groups can provide more opportunities to share aspects of their home lives, talk about interests, support self-help skills and develop an understanding of healthy eating.

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Cute little child drinking milk

At mealtimes, a lot of children are refusing to eat the main meal, so educators are requesting sandwiches be prepared for them instead. How can we create a menu where all children are at least eating some of the main meals?

Question: At mealtimes, a lot of children are refusing to eat the main meal, so educators are requesting sandwiches be prepared for them instead. How can we create a menu where all children are at least eating some of the main meals?

Answer:

  1. Offer a variety of foods. If you are having chicken and vegetables for lunch, ensure the vegetables are not mixed together. For example, serve carrot, corn and potato in separate bowls. Encourage the children to try all of the veggies, but one is better than none. Similarly, if you are offering pasta or rice with a sauce, put the sauce on the side.
  2. Offer fruit before the main meal.
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Teacher and children at meal time

Media release: Education and care sector launches an ambitious plan for reform

Every child in Australia will receive two days of early education and care each week if peak bodies in the sector have their plan adopted at the approaching Federal Election.
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