Blog

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 […]

When searching for the right career, there are a number of factors to consider. You might look into how much you can earn, whether workers are in demand in the sector and what the workplace environment is like. For millennials — people who were born between 1981 and 1996 — an important detail is the […]

When it comes to training, not only are technical skills important, but so too are soft skills which can also be learned through training that focuses on self-reflection. Soft skills are defined as personal attributes or qualities that impact the way we interact with others and approach various situations. Soft skills are relevant across a […]

Employment within the aged care sector can offer a career that is both rewarding and meaningful, and enriches the lives of individuals receiving care. Aged care plays an integral part in society and involves providing elderly individuals access to high quality care and support they require to maintain their quality of life. A sector with […]

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 brought about many changes including closures, reopenings and updated COVIDSafe protocols for early learning services. As centres across Metropolitan Melbourne adjust to the easing of restrictions in recent weeks, it’s important to incorporate a focus on supporting staff and their mental health and wellbeing as […]

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 […]