Beyond the Breakroom – Menopause in the ECE Workplace

In early childhood education, we talk a lot about nurturing. But how often do we nurture the nurturers?

For many years, topics like menopause were left outside the staffroom door—unspoken, unsupported, and misunderstood. But in our centres, we believe in bringing the whole person into the workplace. That includes acknowledging the real, physical, and emotional shifts that come with menopause—and supporting our team through them.

Why Menopause Matters in ECE

ECE is a people-first profession. It demands physical energy, emotional regulation, and relational presence—all of which can be impacted by perimenopause and menopause.

Symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, hot flushes, anxiety, and disrupted sleep aren’t just inconvenient—they can be career-altering. And in a sector where many educators are in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, the silence around menopause has cost too many women their confidence and continuity in the profession.

What Support Looks Like

In our centres, we’ve made a conscious choice to create a menopause-aware workplace, which includes:

• Flexibility: Adjusted schedules and understanding around rest periods or lighter duties when needed.

• Policies with heart: Our wellness policies explicitly acknowledge menopause as a phase requiring care and dignity—not dismissal.

• Open conversations: We foster a culture where experiences can be shared without shame or fear.

• Access to resources: Internal and external support options are offered, including information on symptoms, hormonal health, and mental wellbeing.

Holding Space for Change

Creating space for menopause in the ECE workplace is more than just inclusion—it’s respect. It tells our team:

"You are valued through all stages of life. We don’t need you to pretend to be okay—we need you to feel supported enough to be real."

Because when we honour life transitions, we strengthen loyalty. When we offer empathy, we build trust. And when we make room for women to be well, we create a stronger, wiser, more stable workforce for our children.

Coming Next: The Power of a 4-Day Work Week in ECE