Find out more information about services and supports available to help you and your business at this time.
Sole traders and small business operators come in all shapes and sizes, but one fact they share in common is that they can often find themselves affected by adverse events, such as natural disasters or public health crises.
This is especially true for those operating within the family day care (FDC) sector who have experienced significant impact due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
There is a range of services and resources available for educators who may need specific support right now, including financial assistance or mental health support.
Partnerships with the children and families that attend your service are central to being a FDC educator. We understand that adverse circumstances like pandemics can increase feelings of anxiety and stress among children, and this can be difficult for them to understand. You can find some information on how to support children in your service at Emerging Minds.
You might like to recommend the Raising Children website to parents. It includes helpful information on how to communicate with their families about COVID-19 and the stress that family members may be experiencing at this time. We understand that dealing with parent’s anxiety and wellbeing can be stressful. We recommend you raise any concerns you may have with your coordination unit.
For family day care educators, increased stress linked to COVID-19 can result in feelings of uncertainty about the future, the risk of financial hardship and increased anxiety in children and families.
Making time to reflect on your own mental health and wellbeing is an important part of your overall health, especially during these difficult times. We recommend scheduling time into your day to practice your favourite form of self-care that makes you feel good. This may be a morning walk, watching an episode of your favourite tv show, talking on the phone to friends and family, meditation or craft. Try your best to stick to that schedule to ensure you are giving yourself a break.
Family day care educators tend to be givers, so sometimes they work themselves to the bone and don't give themselves time.
We acknowledge that the FDC sector can be isolating at the best of times. It is important, now more than ever to keep in contact with other educators and coordinators within your sector.
Actively maintain your mental health and wellbeing through activities such as:
On 2 April 2020, the Australian Government announced the new Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package. For information on the relief package and how to apply, please see the links below. We also recommend staying in regular contact with your coordination units as they will have the most up to date information.
For more information, please visit the following websites:
Lifeline 13 11 14 - 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. To find local services in your area use Lifeline's Service Finder.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 - 24/7 telephone crisis support for people at risk of suicide, carers and bereaved, as well as online resources and information.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 - 24/7 telephone counselling for young people 5-25 years.
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 - 24/7 telephone support service and online chat 4pm - 10pm (AEST)
More tips on self-care are available here on the Everymind and Life in Mind websites.
For a comprehensive list of mental health resources, visit the COVID-19 support page Life in Mind.
Ahead for Business - Support for adverse events.
Head to Health - Digital mental health resources
Everymind is conducting an evaluation of a new national online training program for Australian small business owners, which aims to enhance capacity and confidence in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing within their business.
Small Business Guides to Mentally Healthy Workplaces, boosting employee retention with workplace mental health and the National Mental Health Commission's new online platform, Mentally Healthy Workplaces, and more.
Small business growth slowed down in 2023 in response to reduced consumer spending, according to a new report from the Council of Small Business Owners Australia (COSBOA) and Square.
In April, the Ahead for Business team attended the Council of Small Business Owners Australia (COSBOA) National Small Business Summit where key political and industry leaders, small business owners, regulators and business influencers gathered to discuss how small business owners can continue to thrive into the future.