There is no doubt that the pandemic has had an impact on the way we see ourselves in early childhood education. Our professional identity has been put to the test and driven some of us to reconsider whether this profession is worth the stresses and tribulations that come with it. The added pressures and constant changes in pedagogy and practice has seen many teachers loose momentum and often walk away from a career that was previously seen as rewarding. After spending time researching this topic, I have learnt that members of a number of professional networks within Early Childhood, identified educator wellbeing as a priority issue and something the federal government should be considering. I suppose my question after considering this is, should this topic be high on the agenda in the political arena or are we putting all our thoughts into new incentives, such as three year old Kindergarten and supporting families to work longer hours by increasing the child care subsidy. I’m not saying that these initiative aren’t needed, however I’m particularly worried that we won’t have teachers to support these initiatives. While there have been efforts to raise the quality of early childhood education, including requirements for higher qualifications and increased accountability, the long work hours, low salary and lack of status in the early childhood sector, is seeing teachers choose to work in the school system, rather than early childhood or change professions altogether. With the closure of schools there seems to be a disparity of care and consideration for those in early childhood who continue to work with young children. Why are early childhood professionals seen as different. Doesn’t this perpetuate the huge gap that already exists between schools and early childhood settings? The impact of the pandemic continues to create conditions that exacerbate the stresses and challenges that early childhood educators already face. Recently I wrote an article called ‘Are we a tired profession’ this is real, I feel it, I see it and I hear of it out there. In all the years I’ve worked in early childhood education, I don’t think I’ve felt so concerned. Given that the wellbeing of educators is inextricably linked to high quality programs and practice, it is without question that the poor wellbeing of educators impacts on children’s learning and development, so the importance of focusing on the wellbeing of educators is everyone’s business. There are huge lessons to be learnt from the pandemic that’s for sure, especially the resilience of the early childhood workforce and the visibility of the important work of early childhood educators. There should be an emphasis on how society places early childhood education and how the government should invest in supporting the early childhood profession and the wellbeing of those that work within it. The lessons we continue to learn from the pandemic should be a timely reminder that early childhood professionals play a critical role in supporting children’s social, health and emotional wellbeing, before actually considering their own. If we continue to dismiss the voices and feelings of early childhood professionals, we will continue to see teachers leave a profession that is already in a crisis. Love is not enough to keep early childhood educators in the profession, they need recognition of what they do and a consideration of their wellbeing