By BEST Childcare Consulting
Do Childcare Centres Need to Consider Psychosocial Safety?
Absolutely — and it’s now both a legal obligation and a marker of high-quality care.
Psychosocial safety refers to creating a workplace and learning environment that protects everyone’s mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It ensures educators, children, and families feel respected, supported, and free from bullying, overwork, or emotional harm.
Under the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WA) and WorkSafe WA’s Code of Practice: Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace, all early childhood education and care (ECEC) services must identify, assess, and manage psychosocial risks. These requirements sit alongside your obligations under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations.
A psychosocially safe service isn’t just compliant — it’s calm, consistent, and connected. When educators feel valued and supported, children thrive in emotionally secure environments that foster learning and belonging.
What is Psychosocial Safety?
Psychosocial safety is about how work is designed and experienced. It includes workload, relationships, communication, and access to emotional support.
In ECEC, key psychosocial hazards can include:
- Emotional exhaustion or compassion fatigue
- Bullying or interpersonal conflict
- Poor leadership or unclear expectations
- Stress from time pressure, paperwork, or staffing shortages
- Exposure to distressing child or family situations
When unaddressed, these factors lead to burnout, high turnover, and reduced quality. But when addressed proactively, they create resilient, reflective, and high-performing teams.
Educational Programming Activities
Activities with Children
Feelings Circles / “Zones of Regulation” Time
Help children recognise and label their emotions using colour-coded “zones” and visuals.
Explore examples: Zones of Regulation – Official Site
KidsMatter – Teaching Emotional Literacy https://beyou.edu.au/resources/educator-resources/teaching-and-learning/emotional-literacy
Mindful Mornings
Begin the day with mindful breathing, stretching, or outdoor time to promote calm focus.
Explore examples: Smiling Mind Early Learning Program https://www.smilingmind.com.au/early-learning
ABC Kids Listen – Mindfulness Activities https://www.abc.net.au/abckids/shows/mindfulness
Kindness Tree
Create a display where children add leaves or hearts recognising acts of kindness.
Explore examples: PBS Kids Kindness Tree Activity https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/kindness-tree
Be You – Kindness and Empathy Resources https://beyou.edu.au/resources/tools-and-guides/building-positive-relationships
Role-play “Safe Feelings”
Use puppets or storybooks to explore safe vs unsafe feelings and when to seek help.
Explore examples: Child Safe Organisations https://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/our-work/child-safe-organisations/
Protective Behaviours Resources | Emerging Minds – Talking About Feelings
Calm-down Corners
Create a quiet, sensory-friendly space with cushions, breathing cards, and visual aids.
Explore examples: Twinkl – Calm Corner Toolkit https://www.twinkl.com.au/resource/t-tp-2548567-calm-down-corner-toolkit
Big Life Journal – Calm Down Ideas for Kids https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/calming-activities
Activities for Staff
Wellbeing Check-ins
Begin team meetings with a brief emotional check-in or colour zone rating.
Explore examples: Be You – Staff Wellbeing Check-in Guide https://beyou.edu.au/resources/tools-and-guides/wellbeing-tools-for-you
Peer Support Partnerships
Pair educators for regular debriefs and reflective chats.
Explore examples: Beyond Blue – Peer Support in Workplaces https://www.beyondblue.org.au/workplace-mental-health
Gratitude Board or “Shout Out” Wall
Recognise teamwork, extra effort, or small wins.
Explore examples: Smiling Mind Workplace Gratitude Resources
Reflective Practice Journals
Encourage staff to write brief reflections about emotional triggers or stress management strategies.
Explore examples: ACECQA Reflective Practice Resource https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/practical-guides/reflective-practice
Professional Development on Wellbeing
Provide training on managing stress, trauma-informed care, and balancing workload.
Explore examples: WorkSafe WA Training on Psychosocial Hazards
Be You Professional Learning – Mentally Healthy Workplaces https://beyou.edu.au/learn
Policies That Should Include Psychosocial Safety
Your service’s governance framework should embed psychosocial safety principles into:
- Work Health and Safety Policy (risk identification & reporting)
- Staff Wellbeing and Support Policy (EAP, debriefs, and supervision)
- Code of Conduct / Respectful Workplace Policy (bullying and conflict resolution)
- Supervision and Mentoring Policy (professional support structures)
- Critical Incident and Trauma Response Policy
- Grievance, Bullying and Harassment Policy
- Child Safe Environment Policy (acknowledging adult wellbeing as part of child safety)
- Governance and Leadership Policy (reflecting accountability for psychosocial risk management)
Official frameworks:
- WorkSafe WA – Psychosocial Hazards Code of Practice (2022)
- WA Department of Communities – Governance Resources
- Be You – Wellbeing Tools for You https://beyou.edu.au/resources/tools-and-guides/wellbeing-tools-for-you
QIP Write-Up: Psychosocial Safety Across All Quality Areas
QA1 – Educational Program and Practice
Goal Achieved: Educators embedded emotional wellbeing into daily learning and reflected on the role of mental health in effective teaching practice.
- Embedded Practice: Emotion literacy and mindfulness were integrated across learning experiences, helping children and educators to co-regulate and develop resilience.
- Critical Reflection: Staff examined how their own emotional states affect relationships and children’s sense of security, using reflective journals and team discussions to improve practice.
- Meaningful Engagement: Families were consulted on emotional regulation strategies used at home, allowing consistent approaches between home and centre.
QA2 – Children’s Health and Safety
Goal Achieved: The service embedded psychosocial safety as part of holistic child wellbeing and educator care.
- Embedded Practice: Educators used positive guidance and emotional support to prevent distress and promote calm, safe environments.
- Critical Reflection: Teams discussed how stress, trauma, or workload may influence responses to children and developed debriefing systems after incidents.
- Meaningful Engagement: Families were invited to discuss children’s social–emotional development during conferences and wellbeing weeks.
QA3 – Physical Environment
Goal Achieved: Spaces were intentionally designed to support calmness, predictability, and emotional regulation for all.
- Embedded Practice: Quiet zones, sensory-friendly corners, and natural lighting were implemented to reduce overstimulation and support self-regulation.
- Critical Reflection: Staff assessed how noise levels, space layout, and transition times affected children’s and educators’ stress levels.
- Meaningful Engagement: Families and children contributed ideas for relaxing and nurturing environments through visual design projects and wellbeing feedback boards.
QA4 – Staffing Arrangements
Goal Achieved: The service ensured workload balance, supportive supervision, and psychological safety within teams.
- Embedded Practice: Regular wellbeing check-ins and mentoring sessions became part of rostering and staff meetings.
- Critical Reflection: Leadership analysed staff feedback, turnover data, and leave patterns to identify underlying psychosocial hazards.
- Meaningful Engagement: Educators were empowered to contribute to policy updates, roster changes, and professional wellbeing plans.
QA5 – Relationships with Children
Goal Achieved: Educators modelled respect, empathy, and calm problem-solving, nurturing emotionally safe relationships.
- Embedded Practice: Consistent use of positive language and emotional coaching supported secure attachment.
- Critical Reflection: Teams reflected on how their tone, reactions, and stress levels influence children’s trust and behaviour.
- Meaningful Engagement: Family surveys and observations informed continuous improvement in connection and emotional safety practices.
QA6 – Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities
Goal Achieved: The service collaborated with families and community agencies to promote mental health and wellbeing.
- Embedded Practice: Resources from Be You, Beyond Blue, and local health networks were shared with families.
- Critical Reflection: Educators reflected on how family stressors may influence children’s behaviour and adapted supports accordingly.
- Meaningful Engagement: Families participated in wellbeing events and local mental health campaigns such as R U OK? Day.
QA7 – Governance and Leadership
Goal Achieved: Leadership embedded psychosocial safety principles into governance systems and decision-making.
- Embedded Practice: WHS and staff wellbeing policies were updated to include psychosocial hazard management and trauma-informed leadership.
- Critical Reflection: Leaders analysed incident data, staff surveys, and exit interviews to evaluate stress patterns and implemented preventative actions.
- Meaningful Engagement: Management consulted educators during policy reviews, fostering transparency, trust, and shared responsibility for wellbeing.
Helpful Links
WorkSafe WA – Psychosocial Hazards Code of Practice (PDF)
Be You – Educator Wellbeing Tools https://beyou.edu.au/resources/tools-and-guides/wellbeing-tools-for-you
WA Department of Communities – Governance and Leadership
Smiling Mind – Mindfulness for Educators
Beyond Blue – Workplace Mental Health https://www.beyondblue.org.au/workplace-mental-health
BEST Childcare Consulting
At BEST Childcare Consulting, we know that educator wellbeing is the foundation of every Exceeding service. When we care for the carers, we create stronger, safer, and more connected communities for children and families.
As always, use these inspirations to lead your service throughout the whole year in your everyday practices to truly earn an exceeding rating.
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