Blog

There are old ways of doing things, there are new ways of doing things and then there are better ways of doing things. At Selmar, we believe that human-centred education is a better way forward for those who want to expand their knowledge and skillset while also growing as an individual on many levels. As […]

The executive summary of the final report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety contains significant and sweeping proposals for reform of the aged care sector. The government has responded by pledging $452million to support the implementation of what it sees as five key pillars for reform. This article summarises some of […]

When you picture an early childhood educator, what comes to mind? Painting and craft all day, playing outside in the sandpit? While those things are part of the fun while caring for and engaging with children as an educator, there’s a lot more to being a quality early childhood educator than many realise. Providing the […]

When providing care for ageing individuals, it is valuable to understand how the approach to care may need to be re-evaluated and updated over time. This may be due to a person’s health and their requirements evolving, or it could be dependent on their individual values and preferences. An important element of the work undertaken […]

Gaining experience in a particular field of work to improve your employment prospects often seems tricky. You can get the qualifications required by undertaking the relevant course, but how about getting those on-the-job skills? A course that incorporates practical placement or work placement can be a game-changer. You can acquire the necessary qualification for your […]

Ready to explore an aged care career? Doing your research on any sector you’re considering entering is important, as it’s common to find out that there was plenty about a career pathway that you had no idea about! When it comes to working in aged care, there are the practical considerations such as the types […]

When studying, it can be easy to lose your way at times. Losing track of your goals, and your progress towards achieving them, can leave you feeling unmotivated and frustrated. But getting back into the swing of your studies is easier than you may realise. A few tweaks here and there can make all the […]

Deciding on a course that will take you along the career path that you want to go is exciting. The last thing you want is to be put off by financial stress, wondering how you will pay for your studies. Education is an important investment, so having options to plan to fund your course can […]

Returning to study after a break, long or short, may seem like a big task to undertake however, it doesn’t have to be difficult with a few tips and good support. There are many reasons why a period of time may have passed since you last studied. Maybe your post-high school gap year turned into […]

An early childhood education career can set you up for a bright future enhancing the education and development of children. There are many roles available for meaningful and fun employment in the sector that can suit a range of different people. Providing care for children during the most vital time of development in the first […]

Finishing Year 12 and leaving high school behind you is a big deal. After all, you’ve spent most of your life at school up until this point. If you have just finished Year 12, chances are you’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what comes next for you. In particular, you might be wondering […]

Certificates and Diplomas are delivered by a number of Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions. When it comes to study choices, you have probably come across TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and RTOs (Registered Training Organisations) during your research. TAFE and RTOs are providers of Vocational Education and Training across Australia, and offer qualifications across […]

Aged care isn’t one size fits all. Many approaches to aged care are available, with the care style dependent on the recipients’ unique needs, preferences and abilities. While once upon a time, growing old and requiring assistance meant the only option was to move into a residential care facility, there are now a range of […]

For many, summer is for enjoying more time outdoors and relaxing in the sunshine. It’s also important to remember to stay safe and SunSmart, especially for older individuals who may be more vulnerable to the heat. Warm weather and particularly extreme heat can put the health of individuals at risk, and this risk is often […]

The JobTrainer government funding initiative is up and running, delivering a $2 billion skills package to support the training and employment of young Australians. The COVID-19 economic response from the government first introduced us to JobKeeper and JobSeeker this year, then JobMaker, and now everyone is talking about JobTrainer. If you’re finding it hard to […]

A traineeship is a great approach for those looking to start or advance a career while continuing to work — and earn — in their desired sector. For those with management roles within organisations, using the traineeship model could be a successful way to boost the capacity of your workforce. With the Australian Government committing […]

A fireside chat with Dr Kristy Goodwin. We sat down with Dr Kristy Goodwin to unpack some of the challenges of raising children in a digital age. Kristy has undertaken extensive research in this space and has been honing her expertise for the past decade, plus she’s also a mum of three boys. “She makes relevant, realistic, research-based information available […]

In aged care, each day is spent contributing to the quality of the lives of ageing individuals and/or those living with disability. This may also include sharing in the holiday period with residents and helping them to get into the spirit of the season. With the festive season right around the corner, it’s time to […]

The holiday season is a festive time of togetherness, celebration and enjoying the sunshine. Many will be excited about their upcoming Christmas traditions, along with a variety of other celebrations and events depending on culture, preferences or religious beliefs. Fostering a sense of belonging is vital for children’s development and wellbeing in early childhood, and […]

During this tough year, early childhood education services and educators have worked hard to keep children learning through play even when many centres were not accessible. Being ready to commence primary school is a key focus for kindergarten programs, and newly announced funding is set to provide additional help to ensure that children are school-ready. […]

For aged care providers, a focus towards training and improved levels of  support will see the aged care workforce better equipped and ready to provide this essential care to those who need it most. This year with the COVID-19 pandemic, has presented the world with many unprecedented challenges. The most vulnerable to suffer as a […]

After a tough and tumultuous year throughout most of 2020, it has been exciting and a great relief for early childhood services to reopen. Owners, directors, educators, families and children have shared in the experience and are thrilled to be back to their ideal routines. To open safely and protect the health of our communities […]

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn through play and feel loved and nurtured. Each is worthy of enjoying their childhood with the support of parents, carers, communities and, importantly, early childhood education providers. Children’s Week is a week that is dedicated to celebrating the needs, rights and achievements of children. It strongly advocates for […]

When we talk about intelligence, the mind often goes immediately to a person’s ability to get high marks at school, solve complex mathematics problems or utilise a big vocabulary. However, a range of theories exist on the subject of intelligence and it is generally agreed that there are many types, covering a variety of qualities […]

If you’re a jobseeker, getting back to work is no doubt among your top priorities at the moment. Similarly, if you’re feeling that you may be at risk of losing your job, you are likely keen to upskill to enhance your employability or ready to explore other options. The Queensland Government has plans in place […]

Good nutrition in early childhood can contribute to growth and development as well as behaviour and wellbeing in children. Alongside physical activity, positive educational experiences and supportive relationships, eating well is vital in children’s early years and beyond. According to Nutrition Australia, only 5% of Australian children are meeting the recommended guidelines of five serves […]

Thinking about taking on a trainee or expanding your team? You could be eligible for these new wage subsidies designed to boost the economy in the wake of the pandemic-driven economic crunch. Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements The $1.2 billion apprenticeship and traineeship boost was announced as part of the Federal Government’s budget package to build a […]

World Mental Health Day took place on October 10, marking the beginning of Mental Health Month in Victoria. The aim is to raise awareness of the mental health issues affecting people all over Australia and the world . This year has had a prominent focus on mental health and wellbeing, and for good reason, with […]

COVID-19 presents particular risks to older people, who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory diseases.¹  In May 2020, the United Nations reported on the ‘devastating toll’ that the spread of COVID-19 in care homes was having on older people’s lives.² The public health crisis of COVID-19 has disproportionately affected aged care in Australia. It’s a tragedy […]

Children, parents, educators and centre owners are undoubtedly all pleased with the recent easing of restrictions in Melbourne, allowing early childhood education services to reopen for all families. While centres return to providing children with high quality education and care, there is no doubt that the return to early learning will involve some changes and […]