Children's health and wellbeing

Smooth transitions between activities help young children to feel secure, stay engaged and develop self-regulation. With clear cues and supportive routines, practitioners can turn potentially challenging moments into opportunities for learning and independence. 

As the third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day, why not make your own healthy ice-cream for children to enjoy as a summer treat. You can choose your own ingredients to make a range of flavours to suit children’s taste buds.

Allergies affect millions of people in the UK, with some allergies causing severe reactions. Ensuring all of your staff are aware of your allergy policy and procedures is essential to keep children safe. Use our top tips for reviewing your practice. 

Moving from nursery to school is a significant milestone for young children. Every child experiences this transition differently, so it’s important to observe and respond to their emotions, acknowledging their individual needs. Offering personalised support can help make the process smoother and more positive. Here are some helpful tips to guide the transition.

Moving from nursery to school is a big step for young children and their parents. It’s an exciting time, but it can also bring challenges. By creating a supportive environment and encouraging open conversations, practitioners can help ease worries, answer questions, and provide practical guidance. This activity is designed to make the transition to school smoother and more reassuring for everyone involved.

Children create a bright, colourful star-shaped suncatcher to celebrate someone special in their life. The star symbolises how their special person lights up their world - whether that’s a dad, mum, grandparent, carer, or another important person. This activity offers a colourful way to celebrate love that’s adaptable, inclusive, and enjoyable.

This week’s activity brings The Very Hungry Caterpillar story to life through a fun and interactive fruit kebab making session. As children create their own fruit kebabs, they’ll reinforce the story’s themes of healthy eating and develop their fine motor skills. It’s a great way for children to connect with the story and enjoy a nutritious snack at the same time!

Ensuring food safety is a key factor in safeguarding children’s health and well-being. Here are some practical, easy to follow tips designed to help you effectively manage food safety and create a secure, hygienic environment for everyone.  

Naptimes require a great deal of attention – not only for the important role they play in healthy development and wellbeing but also to ensure that the ways that sleep is approached in setting are the safest they can be. 

How do I create a physical activity policy for my setting? Why I need it and how to put it together

It is important to remember that every child is unique and, as such, develops in their own unique ways. How can we support children’s personal development?

Professionals working with young children all hold a responsibility to support children to develop in a safe and happy especially when it comes to feelings of security and mental wellness.  

Children’s mental health is central to their wellbeing and is something that paves the way for their future overall health. This resource shines a spotlight on the importance of children’s physical health the role it plays in contributing to their mental health and wellbeing too.

There are a variety of transitions we experience on a daily basis, so many that the list goes on and on… let’s take a closer look at how common, everyday transitions differ, so we can appropriately support children’s experiences throughout their early education and care.  

In this article, we'll explore what infant mental health is, why it’s important and how we, as professionals, can foster a healthy emotional environment for young children in our care.  

A healthy diet is important for every child in their early years and beyond, but children under two years old have particular requirements that should be followed closely to ensure everyone has a healthy, safe and enjoyable experience of food!  

We know that outdoor learning opportunities are an important part of well-rounded child development, providing unique opportunities for physical development and strong connections to our wellbeing.

Self-regulation refers to the ways we recognise and manage our emotions to improve self-control, and minimise impulsive and irrational behaviour. It’s about catching our feelings before they catch us!