By Janine Kelly

I recently had the privilege of listening to Sheena Yap Chan record her presentation for our upcoming STEPPING STONES Professional Development for ECEs – Connection at the Heart of Practice International Online Conference.

As I listened, I found myself reflecting on just how often we talk about preparing children for the future. We spend countless hours creating beautiful learning environments, planning meaningful experiences and supporting children's development. We speak about school readiness, emotional regulation, resilience and lifelong learning.

But Sheena invited me to think about something different.

She asked us to consider human readiness.

It was a simple phrase, yet it carried such a powerful message.

Before we can expect educators to nurture confident, curious and connected children, we must first recognise the humanity of the educators themselves.

That is something we don't acknowledge often enough.

In early childhood education, we spend so much time focusing on children's wellbeing that we can sometimes forget that educator wellbeing is just as important. We cannot separate the two. Children experience us through our relationships, our presence and the way we respond in moments of joy, uncertainty and challenge.

This reminded me of something we often speak about at STEPPING STONES Professional Development.

Everything begins with Self.

If we want connected teams, we first need supported educators.

If we want emotionally safe environments for children, we must also create emotionally safe environments for the adults who work within them.

If we want children to experience calm, empathy and connection, then educators need opportunities to experience those same things themselves.

This is the ripple effect we talk about so often:

Self → Team → Children

When we invest in the wellbeing of educators, we strengthen the entire learning community.

Sheena also challenged us to think beyond the traditional idea of self-care. While taking breaks, exercising and looking after our physical health are all important, human readiness is much deeper than that.

It is about feeling valued.

Feeling heard.

Feeling respected.

Feeling like you belong.

Just as children flourish when they experience a sense of belonging, educators thrive when they know they are valued members of their team.

When educators feel psychologically safe, they are more willing to reflect, ask questions, try new ideas and support one another. They become more present with children because they are no longer using all of their energy simply trying to get through the day.

As I listened to Sheena's presentation, I couldn't help but think that human readiness is not separate from quality early childhood education—it is the foundation of it.

Because before we can connect with children...

Before we can co-regulate...

Before we can guide behaviour...

Before we can engage in meaningful reflection...

We must first recognise the human being standing in front of us.

The educator.

The colleague.

The leader.

The person.

As we continue building learning communities where children feel safe, heard and valued, perhaps it is time we ask ourselves one important question:

Are we creating workplaces where educators feel exactly the same?

Because when educators thrive, children thrive.

And that is where meaningful change begins.

Janine Kelly

Join the Conversation

If Sheena's message has sparked something within you, I invite you to continue the conversation with us at the STEPPING STONES Professional Development for ECEs – Connection at the Heart of Practice International Online Conference on 24 October 2026.

In her inspiring session on Human Readiness, Sheena Yap Chan explores what it means to support the people behind the profession. Together, we'll reflect on confidence, belonging, leadership and the importance of creating learning communities where educators are supported to thrive—not just survive.

As you prepare for another day with children, I'd like to leave you with one final question:

Are you ready?

Not just ready to teach.

Not just ready to lead.

But ready to recognise your own humanity, invest in your own growth and embrace the extraordinary influence you have on the lives of children every single day.

Because when educators are ready, children flourish.

Join the conversation. Be inspired. Invest in yourself.

Register today and be part of a global community of educators placing connection at the heart of practice.