Working as a casual early childhood educator can be an incredibly rewarding and inspiring experience. It offers flexibility in your hours, variety in your day-to-day, and opportunities to work with different children and staff across many settings. However, this kind of work also brings with it challenges — namely, self-doubt. Whether it’s questioning your abilities, feeling uncertain about your place in the team, or dealing with the highs and lows that come with casual work, even the most dedicated educator can feel overwhelmed.
The good news is you’re not alone in this. Recently, The Sector reported that many ECEC leaders struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. But what’s important to know is that there are strategies that can help you cope with this self-doubt and overcome it. In this article, we will unpack a handful of practical steps to help you manage these feelings and be successful and happy in your role.
There are many reasons why people love to work with children, but that does not mean that self-doubt can’t creep into your thoughts. The first step to dealing with self-doubt is acknowledging that it exists. It’s totally normal to feel insecure or question yourself, especially when working as a casual childcare educator, where you might not have the same support network or continuity as a full-time team member. Rather than pushing these feelings aside or trying to ignore them, recognise them for what they are — a natural, normal part of being in a job that comes with uncertainty.
Once you acknowledge these feelings, it becomes easier to address them constructively rather than allowing them to undermine your confidence.
As a casual educator, you bring a unique set of skills and a wealth of experience to the table. Instead of focusing on what you perceive as your weaknesses or comparing yourself to others, shift your mindset to what you do well. Perhaps you’re great at connecting with children quickly, or you are quick to adapt to different classroom environments. These strengths are an asset to any workplace, and by focusing on them, you can help boost your self-esteem and quiet that voice of self-doubt.
One useful exercise is to make a list of your skills and achievements. Write down the positive feedback you’ve received from colleagues, supervisors, parents, and even the children, and refer to it whenever your self-doubt starts to creep in.
There are many reasons why working as a casual educator is beneficial for early career development, from the extra experience you learn to the fresh perspectives you bring. However, one of the main reasons self-doubt surfaces for casual educators is the fear of making mistakes. As a casual, you might feel extra pressure to perform perfectly in a new environment, amongst a new team, or with a different group of children. It is important to remember that mistakes are part of the learning process for everyone, regardless of their job title or experience level. Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, try to reframe them as opportunities for you to learn and grow.
Remember, every educator was once a beginner! Even seasoned professionals continue to learn new things, and everybody makes mistakes sometimes. By embracing the learning process and giving yourself permission to make mistakes, you can reduce some of the pressure you are feeling and start seeing your experiences as stepping stones rather than setbacks.
One of the challenges of casual work is the constant change in your environment. Moving between different rooms and centres, working with various age groups, and collaborating with new educators and admin staff can make it difficult to feel grounded. Establishing small routines, even in unfamiliar places, can help you create a sense of stability and control.
For example, you might start your day with a specific warm-up activity, by drinking a strong iced coffee and practicing mindfulness or by reviewing the class schedule. Creating familiar routines, no matter where you are, can give you a sense of consistency, which can help reduce self-doubt and ease feelings of being overwhelmed.
Working as a casual educator can sometimes feel isolating, especially if you’re frequently moving between different workplaces. To help with this, make an effort to build relationships with your colleagues, even if you’re only working with them for a short time. Introducing yourself, asking questions, and showing genuine interest in who they are and their childcare approach can go a long way in creating connections.
Don’t be afraid to seek support when you’re feeling unsure. If you’re struggling with a particular task or situation, reach out to more experienced colleagues, mentors, or staff at your current centre for advice. Remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness! Asking for help is the best possible way to gain insights and improve your practice in the long term.
Another source of self-doubt is the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations, whether they come from others or from yourself. As a casual educator, you may feel like you need to prove yourself constantly or be the ‘perfect’ teacher to ensure future opportunities. It is important, though, to not set the bar too high for yourself, as this can lead to unnecessary stress and self-criticism.
Give yourself permission to be human! Not every day will go perfectly, and that’s okay. An easy way to know if you are putting too much pressure on yourself is to pretend someone else is in your situation. If you feel nothing but kindness and empathy for them, then it is likely that you are being overly critical of yourself! Counter this by setting realistic expectations for yourself based on the resources, time, and circumstances you’re working under. Adjusting your expectations can reduce the pressure you feel and focus more on doing your best in each situation.
In the midst of self-doubt, it’s easy to overlook your achievements and hyper-focus on your shortcomings and mistakes. Take time to celebrate your wins, no matter how small they may seem. Did you manage a challenging behaviour situation well? Did a child show improvement with your help? Were you able to truly connect with a new group of children? These are all meaningful victories that are worth recognising.
By celebrating your wins, you shift your focus away from what you’re lacking and toward what you’ve accomplished. This positive reinforcement can help diminish self-doubt and reinforce the value you bring as an educator — and trust us, you bring a lot of value as a Z Educator!
Be kind to yourself. It’s easy to fall into a cycle of self-criticism, especially when you’re feeling uncertain about your role. Practising self-compassion is an integral part of managing your self-doubt. Recognise that you’re doing your best in a challenging and complex role, and treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a colleague or friend in a similar situation.
Remind yourself that self-doubt is a temporary feeling, and it doesn’t define your abilities or worth as an educator. Treating yourself with compassion and patience creates the space you really need to grow, learn, and continue improving in your role.
Coping with self-doubt as a casual educator can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. When you sign up as a Z Educator, we not only thoroughly vet you to make sure you are of a high calibre, but we connect you with the whole Z Community for support, advice, and more. We will only offer you shifts at centres that meet our quality standards, providing a safe and positive environment for both staff and children. This ensures that you have rewarding and enriching work experiences, helping you to nip self-doubt in the bud!
You’re not alone in the journey of casual early childhood education. With the right mindset, strategies, and team, you can overcome self-doubt and thrive in your role today and beyond.
For a supportive and compassionate team on your side, contact us or download the app and join the Z Staffing revolution today!