The Glitter and The Glimmers

In any early years setting across the country, you’re likely to find a similar scene: a whirlwind of paint and pictures, the melodic hum of play, and educators who seem to have a thousand things on their minds at once. It is a profession unlike any other, driven by a vision to make a positive difference in the lives of the youngest learners.

However, there is a sad reality behind the magic. In a 2025 survey, which heard from over 580 educators, a staggering 93% of respondents reported that a “lack of recognition for the value of their role” negatively impacts their work.

It is a heartbreaking statistic that confirms what many in the sector feel: while they are essential, they are often invisible. To keep being the 'glitter' in a child’s day, we need to talk openly about how we stay shiny when the world feels a bit dull.

The Duality of the Early Years Experience

Early years educators are the architects of the future, laying foundations for lifelong learning and emotional intelligence. But we have to be honest; the emotional, physical, and professional demands are significant. When asked in the survey to describe their daily experience, the responses revealed a striking balance; it seems the role is defined by "the best of times and the hardest of times":

Rewarding (77%) yet Challenging (75%)
Tiring (60%) yet Fun (55%)
Stressful (53%) yet Fulfilling (50%)

Despite the mounting pressure of workloads and sector underfunding, there remains an overwhelming sense of pride and achievement. Why do they stay? Because they are inherently drawn to the magic of development, and they have the capacity to nurture children in the most creative, patient, and wonderful ways.

Understanding the Emotional Battery

To understand why well-being matters so much, we have to look at how children learn. Because young children haven't mastered the complex skill of self-regulation yet, they look to their trusted adults to co-regulate. In a very real sense, children use their trusted adults as an 'emotional battery.'

When a child is overwhelmed, scared, or frustrated, they 'plug into' the adults' calm and resilience to help power and build their own. It is a transformative process, but it is also an exhausting one. If your own battery is drained, you have nothing left to give. This is why it isn't just 'nice' for educators to prioritise their well-being, it is professionally essential. To be that secure base a child needs to explore the world, we must first ensure our own emotional foundation is stable and charged.

Self-Care: It’s Not Selfish, It’s Maintenance

For those of us whose entire professional identity is built on giving care to others, turning that care inward can feel alien and perhaps even a little self-indulgent. We need to flip that narrative.

Self-care is a skill that requires intentional practice. It’s about staying in touch with our own emotional needs rather than suppressing them to focus solely on the children. If we ignore our own feelings, we eventually hit a wall. Taking care of yourself is what allows you to keep taking care of the children.

Self-care is deeply personal, and it’s about finding what replenishes your individual battery. For some, it might be:

Quiet reflection: Unwinding with a favourite book or a long, hot bath to signal to the brain that the work day is over

Physical movement: Attending a gym class, going for a brisk walk in nature, or practising mindfulness to get out of your head and into your body

Creative outlets: Engaging in a hobby like baking, gardening, or DIY. Tasks where you can see a tangible, finished result and sense of achievement

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t dream of driving your car around without regular maintenance or a safety check. You invest time and money to ensure it is roadworthy and efficient. Your well-being is your 'engine', and you need it to be efficient. Why wouldn’t you invest that same level of care and attention into ensuring you stay in good working order?

A Collective Responsibility: The Duty of Care

While individual self-care is vital, well-being shouldn't rest entirely on the shoulders of the individual educator. It is a collective responsibility. Within staff teams and childminding networks, it's important to stay in tune with one another. This means building a culture where we know each other well enough to spot the subtle signs of stress: a change in tone, a slump in body language, or a loss of that usual spark.

When educators feel seen and supported by their leadership, everything changes. Retention improves, morale increases, and continuity becomes a massive win for the children and families who rely on them. Leaders and managers can embed this into their culture by:

Prioritising human-centred supervisions: Use these meetings to check on the person, not just the paperwork. Ask, "How are you doing?" and mean it
Protecting time: Ensure break times are sacred and provide dedicated hours for CPD or coursework so work doesn't negatively impact home life
The 'open-door' reality: Foster an environment where staff don't have to wait for a formal meeting to say, "I'm having a hard day"
Active listening & peer support: Buddy up new staff with mentors and practice listening without immediately trying to 'fix' every feeling
Specific gratitude: Move beyond the tokenistic "good job." A sincere "I noticed how sensitively you handled that conversation earlier, thank you" goes an incredibly long way

Being the Glitter and Noticing the Glimmers

There is a direct link between staff well-being and high-quality practice. When we invest time and energy into mental health, we aren't just making the workplace nicer; we are safeguarding the quality and improving the futures of the children we serve.

When our mental health is supported, we have the energy to be the glitter in a child’s day. We inspire the imaginative play spaces, the cosy corners, and the sense of belonging that makes a child feel safe. We become emotionally available to support their emotional outbursts and overwhelming feelings with a calm, consistent presence.

And once we have supported those emotional needs, we finally have the headspace to notice the glimmers; those tiny, brilliant moments of joy that make this job the best in the world:

The magic of first words or first steps
The look of pure triumph when a child masters a new skill
An unexpected moment of kindness between two toddlers
The picture that was made especially for you
The sheer excitement on a child’s face when they first see you

Final Thought

In a world that can often feel heavy, we must continue to be the glitter in our children’s days. But remember: to shine bright, you have to take care of the light within.

Never stop noticing the tiny glimmers of joy which we get from those 'wow moments' that remind us why we are here.