The people caring for some of the youngest members of the community are often carrying far more than many realize.
Early childhood educators spend their days helping children navigate emotions, build social skills, develop confidence, and learn how to interact with the world around them. But while much of the focus is understandably placed on the well-being of children, there is growing recognition that the educators themselves also need support — particularly when it comes to stress, burnout, and mental health.
For Mental Health Week, we spoke with Nicole Colterman, Professional Learning Consultant with Affiliated Services for Children and Youth (ASCY), about the organization’s work supporting early childhood educators across Haldimand Norfolk and Hamilton.
ASCY — short for Affiliated Services for Children and Youth — provides a range of supports under its umbrella, including speech and language services, blind-low vision supports, infant hearing services, and professional learning opportunities for educators.
Colterman works specifically on the professional learning side, helping child care educators through mentorship, training, and resource support.
She says day-to-day responsibilities extend far beyond supervision.
Educators are helping children learn emotional literacy, co-regulating emotions, building confidence, and supporting social-emotional development.
She added that educators are also deeply emotionally connected to the children they care for.
Many children spend most of their waking hours in child care settings.
Over time, strong attachments naturally form.
The large level of stress, burnout, and deep emotions attached to the job lead to to initiatives like “Wellness Wednesdays,” where educators are invited to take part in activities designed to help reduce stress, build connection, and encourage self-care.
The programming ranges widely — yoga, pottery, painting, line dancing, virtual fitness classes, nutrition workshops, and even band camps hosted in Waterford’s geodome.
The idea, Colterman says, is not only to support educators directly, but also to highlight wellness resources available throughout Haldimand and Norfolk.
Colterman says the response to ASCY’s wellness initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive.
Educators continue returning to the programs, reconnecting with colleagues, networking, and simply enjoying time together away from the demands of the classroom.
You can hear her full interview below:
Written by Matt LeBlanc
