Blog

Human rights protect everyone in society. Human rights are particularly important in the most vulnerable, such as the elderly. Protecting the rights of older individuals is a vital part of being an aged care worker. According to the World Health Organization, globally one in 10 older people experience abuse every month. The Australian Human Rights Commission […]

Palliative care is the art of offering nurture to people suffering from terminal conditions. It requires sensitivity and compassion and is usually offered by extraordinary individuals with a strong capacity for empathy. The focus of palliative care is comfort and dignity. It requires the ability and willingness to ease the discomfort and suffering of the […]

Conflict is impossible to avoid and is not always a bad thing. From the innocuous water cooler arguments around whose football team is the best or where we should go for Friday night drinks, humans deal with dozens of conflicts daily and almost all are resolved peacefully. So what makes for effective conflict resolution? The […]

More than one in nine Australian children are affected by asthma1. This figure highlights the importance of asthma management in child care as most child care services deal with asthmatic children every day. People suffering from asthma may need daily support from parents and carers. In extreme cases, if not treated properly, asthma attacks can […]

Around one in seven Australians suffer from hay fever, or allergic rhinitis1. Children suffer from it too, and this means you’ll probably come across hay fever in child care settings. Despite its name, it is not caused by hay nor does it produce a fever! It is caused by allergens, such as pollen, dust, mould and […]

We are what we eat. Healthy eating habits for children and the right nutrition ensures our body performs at its peak. For young children, nutrition also helps growth and development. For healthy eating to become a habit for children, encourage them to become familiar with every stage of the process; from selection, through preparation, eating […]

Managing stress is a balancing act. Looking forward to the start of a race or football match is good stress and is called excitement. Survival stress is how we react when faced with real threat. When we were cave dwellers it might have given us the ability to run from a saber-toothed tiger. Bad stress […]

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise our own emotions and the feelings of others. Understanding what causes our emotions and how we react to them helps us to manage our responses to difficult situations. This knowledge can help you to make better decisions and become a better leader. Here are some basic tips for […]

In early childhood education, parents are part of the package. Every day, they are involved in your facility and are the main reason our industry exists. Managing the relationship between parents and centres takes communication, patience and understanding. Collaborative partnerships with parents in child care are essential to early childhood education. Many child care and […]

Australians are willing recyclers with 91% of us agreeing it is the right thing to do, according to Planet Ark, a not-for-profit environmental foundation.  Planet Ark also found that 78% of employees say they feel good when their employer provides recycling services. Recycling in the workplace is important, and the financial and environmental benefits of […]

In the festive season in Australia, December brings an abundance of celebration occasions, presenting lots of opportunities to catch up with friends and family. Last month, we gave you plenty of reasons to celebrate. Now that December is on our doorstep, let’s take a closer look at some ideas for the festive season. These December […]

Intimacy is a common human desire, however, ageing can present challenges for those wanting to maintain their sexuality. Physical, mental and social changes can impact the sex lives of many older Australians. Despite these challenges, an increasing number of people are enjoying the benefits of a full and active sex life well into their later […]

Mentoring can provide the guidance, support and encouragement needed to succeed and overcome challenges. A mentor can be a friend, a boss or an industry professional unknown to you. A mentor is someone that listens to your plans, problems and ambitions and offers their advice and expertise. There are several types of mentoring programs and […]

Sustainable, eco friendly toys are becoming increasingly popular. It is not only the environmental benefits but also the ethical message of these toys that make them so attractive to parents and educators alike. Here are some of our picks for the best local toy suppliers that provide ethical, sustainable and environmentally friendly toys that encourage […]

This year’s Australian Food Safety Week will be busting food safety myths with the theme for ‘Did you know?’ Held from 8 to 15 November, the week will clear up common food safety myths about what causes food poisoning. About 4.1 million people suffer food poisoning in Australia each year, according to the Food Safety […]

Basic first aid skills can help save lives, and you can be quick to act with first aid training. Providing first aid until professional medical help arrives often means the difference between life and death. Depending on your location, ambulance response times can vary. On average, under 15 minutes. During that time, knowing how to […]

Social media for child care is a fast and effective way to communicate to your families, local community and even potential staff. It’s your chance to put your digital footprint on an online world through a virtual community of like-minded people. If you’re thinking about a social media strategy for your early childhood education centre, […]

Infections are a part of everyday life in any workplace. For those of us in aged care, infection prevention and control are a vital part of the role. Older individuals may not be able to fight infection because their immune systems are more vulnerable. Surgery and devices such as catheters increase the likelihood of infection. […]

One of the best things about living in a multicultural country like Australia is the many different cultural and religious events and activities. Here are some of Selmar’s top picks for cultural dates to celebrate throughout the year! January 7 Orthodox Christmas Day 14 Orthodox New Year Many Orthodox churches in Australia recognise the holiday […]

October is National Safe Work Month, or Safety Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of workplace health and safety. Safe Work Australia estimate that every year, more than 260 Australians die and a further 135000 are injured due to work related injuries. “National Safe Work Month provides an opportunity for us all to focus on […]