Workplace wellbeing in early years: what it really looks like day to day

Working in early years is joyful, full of energy and wonderfully rewarding. It is also a job where you spend hours on your feet, lifting children, moving from messy play to story time and giving so much of your heart to the children in your care.

That is why we believe workplace wellbeing should be woven into every single day. It lives in proper breaks, kind conversations, thoughtful working conditions and the chance to keep growing, not in the occasional wellbeing initiative.

When our educators feel cared for, they can bring the patience, warmth and curiosity children need to flourish. Looking after yourself is not a luxury. It is part of looking after them.

Key takeaways

• Wellbeing includes physical, mental, social, financial and professional health.
• Early years is an active job, so rest and recovery matter.
• A supportive workplace culture makes it easier to ask for help.
• Employers share responsibility for creating conditions where people can thrive.
• Small habits can support employee health alongside wider organisational action.

What workplace wellbeing means in early years

Workplace wellbeing is about how work shapes our health, our happiness and how well we feel able to do the job we love. The CIPD takes a holistic view of employee wellbeing, with health and wellbeing embedded into an organisation’s culture, leadership and people management, rather than treated as a standalone benefit.

Why a nursery is not like other workplaces

Few jobs move so beautifully between sitting cross-legged for story time, setting up an invitation to play, heading outdoors to splash in puddles and offering a gentle cuddle to a child who needs reassurance.

There is emotional work too. Educators help children through big feelings, build warm relationships with families and work closely with their colleagues every day. It is what makes the role so special, and it is why wellbeing matters so much in our sector.

The five parts of wellbeing at work

We think about wellbeing as five connected areas:

• Physical: movement, rest, nourishing food and feeling safe.
• Emotional: managing stress and protecting your mental wellbeing.
• Social: friendships, belonging and connection.
• Financial: fair pay, benefits and feeling secure.
• Professional: learning, training and growing your career.

Looking at these together helps us shape a wellbeing strategy that recognises everyone is different, and that the support you need may change at different points in your working life.

The physical side of early years work

A job spent on the floor: knees, backs and lifting

So much of the magic in early years happens at children’s level. Add in lifting, bending and carrying resources, and your body is busy from the moment you arrive.

Good manual handling makes a real difference. If a piece of equipment, a routine or a particular task keeps causing discomfort, please talk to your manager so it can be looked at properly. Aches and pains should never be accepted as just part of the job.

Breaks that are actually breaks

A proper break is your moment to step away, enjoy something to eat and drink, and come back feeling refreshed. Protecting that time is one of the simplest ways we can show our teams that their wellbeing truly matters.

Eating and drinking well on a busy shift

It is surprisingly easy to reach mid-afternoon and realise the water bottle you filled that morning is still full.

Keep water close by and give yourself time to eat. A nourishing lunch, regular sips of water and a little planning ahead can keep your energy steady through an active day.

Staying well through illness season

Working closely with young children means coughs, colds and bugs are simply part of nursery life.

Good hand hygiene, following health and safety procedures and giving yourself time to recover all help. At N, we are also pleased to offer our team free flu jabs, one more practical way to help everyone stay well through the colder months.

Rest, sleep and recovering between shifts

Recovery doesn’t stop when you leave the nursery. A good night’s sleep, some quiet time and the things you love doing all give your body and mind space to rest.

We are big believers in recharging your batteries, whether that is a slow Sunday morning, a favourite book or an evening walk with friends. And because a few hours here and there aren’t always enough, we never underestimate the importance of holiday time for nursery workers: real time away to rest, explore and come back feeling like yourself.

Protecting your emotional wellbeing

Emotional labour in early years

Children look to the adults around them for calm. Gently guiding a child through frustration, tears or uncertainty, while staying steady yourself, takes a great deal of patience and energy.

Good workplace wellbeing recognises this quieter, less visible side of early years care. When teams feel comfortable talking openly about the harder moments, relationships grow stronger and nobody has to feel alone.

Spotting the early signs of burnout

Burnout looks different for everyone. Feeling exhausted most of the time, more irritable than usual, less motivated or a little detached from the work you normally love can all be signs that something needs attention.

Noticing these changes early gives you the chance to reach out, ease the weight of workplace stress and think about what support might help.

Where to go for support

Your first port of call might be your manager, our People team or our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). For us, prioritising mental wellness means making it easy to reach out, and psychological safety means knowing you will be listened to, without judgement, whenever you do.

What good workplace wellbeing looks like from an employer

Questions worth asking at interview

An interview is your chance to get to know us too, and to picture what life in the team might feel like.

Ask how breaks work, what happens when someone needs support, what learning opportunities are available and how managers check in. You might also ask about health benefits, absence policies and other wellbeing resources.

The answers will tell you a lot about whether wellbeing is part of everyday life in the nursery, or something that mostly lives on paper.

Green flags in a setting’s culture

Look beyond the benefits list. Do people chat easily with their manager? Are breaks protected? Do leaders listen and follow through? Is privacy respected when someone shares something personal?

Team surveys are another helpful sign, but what really counts is whether leaders act on what they hear. That is why we are so proud to be Great Place to Work certified, a recognition shaped by what our own team tells us about life at N.

How we approach wellbeing at N

Inside Wellbeing Week

Every October, our Wellbeing Week shines an extra light on health and happiness, with dedicated time to connect, reflect and explore new ways to feel well at work.

It is a lovely moment in our year, but we know wellbeing can’t live in one week alone. The real difference comes from pairing those special moments with kind, consistent support from our leaders every day.

The physical wellbeing benefits our team can access

We are proud to offer our team a range of benefits that support their health, including free flu jabs, eye tests, gym discounts, menopause support and the HSF Health Cash Plan, which helps with everyday healthcare such as dental care, optical care and physiotherapy.

Our Employee Assistance Programme is there too, offering a confidential place to turn whenever it is needed.

Wellbeing beyond one week of the year

For us, workplace wellbeing is about the everyday: the relationships you build, the chance to keep learning, feeling recognised and knowing your voice is heard.

That takes ongoing care, not a one-off wellness programme. When wellbeing is part of how we work, people feel happier in their roles, more connected to their team and able to give their very best to the children in their care.

Five small things you can do this week

• Keep water in sight. Pop your bottle somewhere you will see it and remember to sip.
• Protect your break. Give yourself permission to properly step away.
• Listen to your body. Notice any tasks that keep causing discomfort.
• Speak up early. Chat to your manager or a trusted colleague before a worry grows.
• Plan a little recovery. Exercise, a good book, an early night or simply doing very little all count.

Small habits can’t solve bigger challenges on their own, and they shouldn’t have to. But they can help you notice what keeps you feeling well and support a healthier work-life balance.

What managers and leaders can do

Building wellbeing into rotas and ratios

Wellbeing has to work in practice, not just in principle. Thoughtful rotas give educators meaningful breaks while keeping ratios safe, and great managers notice recurring pressure points rather than expecting their teams to keep pushing through.

For nurseries, creating a sustainable environment helps reduce avoidable strain and supports a happier, healthier team.

Checking in well

“How are you?” only really works when there is time to hear the answer.

Regular one-to-ones and relaxed, informal chats help managers understand how colleagues are really feeling. A good check-in makes space to listen, to talk through practical changes and to point towards further support when it is needed.

It is that consistency that turns workplace wellbeing from a strategy into something people genuinely feel.

Frequently asked questions

Is working in a nursery physically demanding?

Yes, in the best way. Early years work involves lifting, bending, sitting on the floor and being active throughout the day. Safe practice, proper breaks and time to recover all help educators feel their best.

What wellbeing support should a nursery offer its team?

A strong offer looks after mental and physical health, financial wellbeing, psychological safety, social connection and professional growth. Benefits matter, but so do workload, management and the everyday culture of the nursery.

How do you avoid burnout working in early years?

Notice the early signs of stress, take your breaks and holidays, protect your downtime and ask for help when you need it. Employers have a part to play too, spotting pressure points in the workplace rather than leaving each person to manage alone.

How do nursery educators stay well during illness season?

Good hygiene, plenty of rest and following your nursery’s health policy all help. Many employers, including N, also offer preventative support such as flu jabs, alongside clear guidance on managing illness and absence.

How does N encourage the wellbeing of their team?

We bring together our annual Wellbeing Week with year-round support for mental, physical and professional wellbeing. Our benefits, development opportunities and the everyday care of our managers all work together to help our team feel happy and supported at N.

Whether you are dreaming of your next nursery educator job, ready to explore nursery management roles or curious about the many jobs in early years education, we would love to show you where a career with N could take you.