Blog

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 career. Recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that by 2066, 1 in 5 Australians will be aged 85 years and older. This means the need for aged care workers […]

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 […]

Loneliness and isolation are often areas of concern for older Australians’ wellbeing. 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 elderly mental health and wellbeing is important and we need to educate ourselves about it. The impact […]

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 […]

Working in early childhood education and care was a natural career path for trainer Anna Connor, who has a family background in early childhood education and has always had a love of children. So, when the opportunity to be a trainer with Selmar came up, she jumped right in. An educator and room leader in […]

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought about many changes in the way we approach life. The shift to working from home has been significant, and while it may have been the dream for some, it is suddenly the norm for many. Working from home brings with it a number of challenges, especially when you’re juggling […]

Now is the time to learn, with fee free traineeships available for NSW students and employers. With Government-funded traineeship courses on offer in the booming aged care or early childhood sectors, this is the perfect opportunity for students to gain qualifications and start a meaningful career. Fee free traineeships means the NSW Government will pay […]

What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware of your body, mind and feelings in the present moment. It involves paying attention to where you are, what you are doing and the sensations you are currently experiencing. When practicing mindfulness, you do not pass judgement but simply pay attention and acknowledge your […]

While we navigate through this challenging time, it is important that we stay safe, connected and offer care and compassion to one another. Our dedicated team of trainers remain available to provide support throughout your learning journey, from start to finish. We are in this together.  Training team, Selmar Institute of Education For any further […]

Practical placement plays a crucial role in our early childhood education programs to ensure that learners gain relevant, real-life skills for an impactful career. Hence why we have created a placement journal which focuses on the essential skill of critical reflection. While practical placement involves a lot of hands-on training presenting an opportunity to develop a […]

Music has a universal effect on humans and has been reported to evoke the full range of emotions. For those living with dementia music could be integrated into care programs to bring back memories from their past and thus improve the quality of life. With almost half a million people in Australia living with dementia […]

The level of support and empathy provided to a learner are two key ingredients for a successful learning journey. Selmar’s dedicated, passionate trainers connect with student support and practical placement teams to take a holistic approach in supporting learners to ensure no-one is left behind – whether it’s training in early childhood education and care […]

More than just a job, working as a personal care worker or personal care assistant in aged care means you fulfil the important role of enhancing the lives of those who are potentially vulnerable and in need of compassionate and empathetic care. In an industry that is growing and changing, with more support from the government […]