Supporting Healthy Eating & Oral Health

You can help your child’s development by providing them with a nutritious and healthy diet. Here we provide some advice about healthy eating and Oral Health.

“We have long campaigned for clear guidance on early years nutrition and providers have been crying out for direction for several years now. Practitioners are well aware that what makes up a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet for young children differs from that of adults. However, with so much conflicting advice around it’s now become a minefield to decipher what is appropriate for young children, so the timing of the voluntary guidelines couldn’t be better.”

Neil Leitch, Chief Executive, Early Years Alliance

Staying for lunch at pre-school is an exciting time as the children learn to eat independently

Spending the day learning and playing requires the right sort of fuel. Your child will have been very active throughout their session at pre-school and therefore it is essential they receive the right nutrients to refuel at lunch time. Good nutrients can lead to better concentration, improved pre-school learning as well as healthy growth and development.

It is important that your child’s lunch box is both appealing and healthy offering a variety of choice, and of a controlled portion. small bite size pieces make it more appealable and managable for small children.

Allowing your child to be involved in making their lunch can make it a more enjoyable experience.

Supporting our Families

We are increasingly aware that many of our families are struggling to meet the rising cost of living.  If you are struggling and would like some information of who to contact regarding reducing food costs, accessing food banks or supporting families in poverty this winter, please see the posters under our “Parent Area – newsletter” section for some more information on organisations that can help you or of course, please come and speak to us…..

Oral Health

Our pre-school has been awarded a Healthy Smiles Accreditation as we promote care through promoting oral health and hygiene, encouraging healthy eating, healthy snacks and tooth brushing.  
Community Dental Services advises:
“You should take your child to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear or by the age of 1 year old, whichever is soonest. This is so they become familiar with the environment and get to know the dentist. The dentist can help prevent decay and identify any oral health problems at an early stage. Just getting your child to open their mouth for the dentist to take a look is useful practice for the future. If after some encouragement your child will not let the dentist have a look, don’t worry! This appointment will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have concerning your child’s dental health and check what sort of toothbrush and toothpaste you should be using. Take your child to see the dentist regularly or as often as the dentist recommends.”

    Helpful Links:

    – Community Dental Services https://communitydentalservices.co.uk/oral-health/family-fun-information/

    – Healthy Start Scheme https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

    – Community Dental Services Healthy Start video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHpgnI61YUE