ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the importance of personal wellbeing among individuals who work within any early years setting, and considers the impact of their wellbeing on the care environment, including the contribution they can make to a child’s provision. Work attitudes, including staff morale, support and development are considered: for example the Adult Engagement Scale is discussed as a useful tool for evaluation, continuing professional development and personal refl ection. The chapter considers the value of early years practitioners working as team members and sharing the development of effective practice. An aim for every early years setting must be to ensure that individuals are appropriately involved in supporting learning and understand the role(s) they are expected to fulfi l. Consequently, the chapter further explores the holistic role that key adults play in the development of a single child’s wellbeing.