Blog

Up-to-date skills and knowledge are vital for a thriving career. Along with on-the-job experience, networking and a commitment to your sector, upskilling can help take your career to the next level. Knowing when is the right time to seek out upskill opportunities can be tricky, but often it comes down to personal objectives and individual […]

Selmar early childhood education trainer Felicity Vaillard, has always known that her career would centre around teaching others. The eldest sister of five, Felicity would take every opportunity to nurture and teach her siblings, taking on the role instinctively. “With four younger siblings, I was always playing teachers at home and just wanted that to […]

The current pandemic has highlighted a significant gap in how prepared aged care facilities are to protect their residents and staff from highly-infectious diseases like COVID-19. A government-commissioned infection control expert group has concluded that all aged care staff should be trained in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, not only when they start working […]

Early childhood educators enter children’s lives at a crucial time, nurturing babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to safely explore their own capabilities and discover the world around them. Early Childhood Educator’s Day 2020 takes place on Wednesday 2 September and recognises the contribution early learning educators make to the wellbeing and development of children in their […]

“From the minute I started the course, I just thought to myself – this is what I should have been doing,” Selmar Aged Care Trainer and Assessor, Michelle Gleeson has had a passion for caring for the elderly for most of her life, but it wasn’t until she entered her 40s that she found the […]

With unemployment rates reaching record highs throughout this year’s pandemic and many people feeling their job security is now uncertain, changing careers has been front of mind for many. For some, the evolving landscape of 2020 may feel like it has presented the opportunity to explore other career options, particularly in sectors that have proven […]

As an early childhood educator, we work in a diverse industry and collaborate with people from different cultures daily. These people come in the form of co-workers, children, families and local groups that create our community. To assist children in developing their cultural competency, we as adults require a better understanding of how to acknowledge […]

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Victoria has meant the reintroduction of restrictions, leading to further tightening of many sectors including early childhood education. As centres across Metropolitan Melbourne adjust to stage four restrictions, it’s important to incorporate a focus on supporting staff and their mental health and wellbeing as we navigate through […]

Studying courses online is becoming the norm, particularly with the current situation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. If you’re considering enrolling to gain qualifications online but you have not studied online before, you might be curious about how it works and what you can expect. While most of us have experienced classroom learning […]

Hundreds of thousands of employees across the aged care sector provide care for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities each and every day. Aged Care Employee Day is an opportunity to encourage Australians to acknowledge the important work of aged care workers. Throughout this year individuals working in aged care have continued […]

Did you know that the most critical period of development for the human brain is in the first five years of life? It is during this time that the brain undergoes the fastest development to lay the foundation for our future. It is also the period of time when children in Australia have the opportunity […]

We spoke to Selmar early childhood education Regional Manager Anastasia Natoli about the infection control challenges faced by the early childhood education and care industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the hard work services are doing to protect children and families. Early childhood educators are vital to our communities, ensuring that children […]

If you’re considering a career as an aged care worker, you could be on the path to a very rewarding and meaningful future. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of Australians aged 85 years and older is projected to double by 2042. This means the need for aged care workers is growing, […]

Health and hygiene regulations are embedded in the National Quality Framework and a high standard of hygiene has long been prioritised in early childhood education centres. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, infection control has never been more critical. Infection control in early childhood services comprise a range of risk mitigation measures, with the goal […]

Deciding on an aged care facility or a child care centre for your loved one is a big decision for families. How can you ascertain which will be the best place for your ageing parent or young child to be cared for? Chances are, you would do what most of us do — look up […]

A career path in aged care is one that is fulfilling and can truly change the lives of others for the better. Not only that, but with Australia’s ageing population, an aged care career also has excellent job prospects. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, by 2042 more than 1 million Australians will be […]

If motivated and highly skilled employees are what you’re looking for, then a renewed appreciation and commitment to professional development is what you need. Supporting employees in staying motivated in their careers, whether it’s in aged care or early childhood (in fact, any industry), is important as it contributes towards the quality of care provided […]

Stress can impact your mental state, your physical state and your ability to focus and complete essential tasks. When you’re studying, whether it’s aged care or early childhood education, and working hard to fit all your commitments in, stress is the last thing you need. Thankfully, there are techniques you can use to de-stress and […]

End of financial year has arrived, which means it’s tax time for 2019/2020. If you are currently studying an aged care course or early childhood education course, it’s worth knowing what study-related expenses you can claim as tax deductions. With the COVID-19 pandemic seeing more studying and working from home than ever before, the Australian […]

It’s no secret that time waits for no one, and when you’re trying to juggle a job, studying, family commitments and keeping the house in order, this can certainly become very clear. Life can feel incredibly busy and, at times, overwhelming. Learning some effective time management strategies can be a game changer. Time management doesn’t […]

National Reconciliation Week takes place 27 May until 3 June and is an important time for us all to learn and reflect on our shared history as Australians. This week marks the successful referendum in 1967 that paved the way for laws protecting the rights of Aboriginal people as equal members of the community, and […]

Life can sometimes throw the unexpected our way. No matter how perfect our plans or how good our intentions are, circumstances can change suddenly. Having an element of flexibility is important to the success of any plan, that’s why flexible study options are so essential. Despite the upheaval of the COVID-19, flexible study options have […]

As parents take on roles as educators, and educators are educating both at work and with their own children at home, it is unsurprising that the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a stressful time for many. Currently, moments of peace and quiet may seem few and far between, and productivity and patience increasingly challenging […]

With heightened COVID-19 restrictions now in place for Victorian residents, these added restrictions have brought on associated challenges and consequently impacted the mental health and wellbeing of many. During this challenging time, it is important that we remain patient with ourselves and with others. As we follow these new restrictions, managing our mental health and […]

While loneliness and isolation are often areas of concern for older Australians’ wellbeing, the social distancing restrictions are likely to have had a further negative impact. According to research, a lack of social connection can carry health risks equivalent to other high risk behaviours such as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Supporting seniors’ mental health […]

Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday 10 May, and while it’s going to be a little different this year, there are still many ways we can make mum feel special and show her how much she is  loved and appreciated. Each year Mother’s Day presents an opportunity to show mum’s how loved are appreciated […]

Working from home can be challenging, and if you’re working from home with children you know that the struggle – and the juggle – is real! Many of us are facing the reality of trying to get our work done from home while keeping children busy and engaged. As we all adjust to this new […]

During the current coronavirus (COVID-19) global crisis, protecting the elderly has never been more important. It is imperative that we now take the time to look after and connect with older individuals within the community. While COVID-19 can affect anyone, it has been found that our older generations and those with underlying health conditions are […]

With COVID-19 impacting us all in many varying ways, and many continuing to adjust in an uncertain landscape, it’s ever important to stay connected and have a good network of support and resources to tap into. Thankfully, whether you have a strong direct network around you or not, there are some fantastic organisations and resources […]

The opportunity to study online means that you can continue to pursue the qualifications you are after even during the COVID-19 pandemic. When you choose the right training provider, online learning offers an innovative, effective and supportive way of studying your chosen course. With a few study tips and the right attitude, you can make […]