Educator Wellness During Winter: Surviving Cold, Flu and “That Cough That’s Going Around”

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Winter has arrived in early childhood education, which means it’s officially the season of tissues, hand sanitiser and children proudly announcing:

“My whole family has been sick!”

Thanks for the update, mate.

While winter often focuses on keeping children healthy, there’s another group of people battling through the season too—educators.

And let’s be honest, if there was an Olympic event for being coughed on, sneezed on and lovingly handed mystery tissues, early childhood educators would take home gold every year.

The Reality of Winter in Childcare

Working in childcare means accepting that personal space is more of a suggestion than a rule.

By morning tea, you’ve likely:

• Wiped six noses.

• Been sneezed on at least twice.

• Comforted a child who needed a cuddle.

• Heard “I don’t feel well” from someone who looked perfectly fine five minutes earlier.

• Been handed an unidentified sticky object.

All before 10am.

Winter can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also one of the most physically demanding times of the year for educators.

The “I’ll Be Fine” Trap

Educators are caregivers by nature.

We’re the people who show up.

We’re the people who help.

We’re the people who say:

“It’s okay, I can manage.”

Even when we’re running on coffee, cold and determination.

The problem is that many educators continue to put everyone else’s needs ahead of their own.

We’ve all seen it.

The educator who says: "It’s just a little cold.”

Three days later they’re surviving on throat lozenges and pure stubbornness.

Taking time to rest isn’t letting your team down.

Sometimes the most responsible thing you can do is recover properly instead of sharing your germs with every child, educator and family in the service.

Small Habits That Make a Big Difference

Let’s be realistic.

No amount of hand sanitiser is going to completely protect you from a three-year-old who sneezes directly into your face from five centimetres away.

But there are things that can help.

Stay Hydrated

Coffee is wonderful.

Coffee is necessary.

Coffee is not water.

(Unfortunately.)

Keeping hydrated helps support your immune system and energy levels during busy days.

Prioritise Sleep

The laundry can wait.

The dishes can wait.

That random cupboard you’ve been meaning to organise since 2022 can definitely wait.

Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health during winter.

Eat Real Food

Surviving on children’s leftover crackers isn’t technically a balanced diet.

As tempting as it may be.

Making time for proper meals helps keep energy levels stable throughout the day.

Take Your Break

You deserve your break.

Read that again.

The paperwork will still be there.

The toys will still need packing away.

The tiny chair someone left in the middle of the room will still be a workplace hazard.

Take your break.

Looking After Your Mental Wellbeing Too

Winter can be tough.

Services often experience higher rates of illness, staffing shortages and increased pressure on teams.

It’s okay to acknowledge that.

Not every day has to be productive.

Not every week has to be perfect.

Sometimes getting through a challenging day with kindness, patience and your sense of humour intact is enough.

The Power of Teamwork

One of the best things about early childhood education is the people.

The colleague who makes you a coffee.

The educator who offers to cover your room while you take a moment.

The teammate who says:

“I’ve got this.”

Those small acts of support can make a huge difference during busy winter periods.

A Final Reminder

As educators, we spend our days reminding children to:

• Wash their hands.

• Drink water.

• Rest when they’re tired.

• Stay home when they’re unwell.

Perhaps it’s time we listened to our own advice.

Because while children may think educators have magical powers, we’re actually just humans trying our best to survive winter while being repeatedly sneezed on by tiny people we adore.

So this winter, look after yourself.

Drink the water.

Take the break.

Get the sleep.

And remember:

You can’t pour from an empty cup… even if that cup is full of coffee.