With the spotlight on increasing obesity levels and the perceived decline in children's health, the contribution of children's diet and nutrition to their overall health and well-being is now being stressed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
But diet and nutrition are just two of many such factors. The emphasis on dental and personal hygiene, nutritional intake and the levels of exercise undertaken means that other equally important influences on children's health are often overlooked.
A more holistic approach to health is being successfully addressed by a health promotion project in the London borough of Harrow, involving a range of voluntary and private providers in the area. The aim is to have a positive impact on the lives of pre-school children and their families and the staff working with them.
The action research project followed the lead of the Healthy Schools Scheme (Wired for Health, 2005) by encouraging practitioners to ask 'How healthy is our pre-school or day nursery?'
The staff carried out an audit of their provision in relation to their building, the grounds, the food they serve, the quality of their relationships with the children's parents or carers and the emotional well-being of the children and of the staff. They then prioritised the areas they wished to develop and implemented an action plan.
Practitioners continued to use the audit process and were able to provide evidence of their commitment to healthy practice as part of the Ofsted Self-Evaluation Framework. Each setting worked through their action plan, involving parents, professionals and other members of the community.
The staff of Downs Playgroup agreed on two areas of focus - the outdoor environment and involving children in informed, healthy choices about food.
Outdoors, the setting had a small, grassed area, plus a safe surface and a path. The grass was of poor quality due to shade from surrounding trees, even though the staff had returfed the area. Finally they approached a local tennis club that was resurfacing its courts with an artificial 'Claytex' surface. The tennis club donated an off-cut without charge. This soft surface looks like grass, but is hygienic and needs minimal maintenance. The children can still enjoy digging and planting in troughs; last summer they grew tomatoes, beans and sunflowers, and watered and cared for the plants.
The staff extended their healthy eating programme by introducing new foods. Using peer support and listening to the children's comments as they tried unfamiliar food, the staff noted the impact this was having on their self esteem. With their awareness raised, the children became active decision makers and often chose the healthy foods they had been encouraged to try.
At the same time they are also, of course, laying down positive attitudes towards health for the future.
Next month Alison Tonkin describes how a setting in Harrow used multi-agency working as part of its health programme.
Cath Alderson is early years advisory teacher for Harrow Early Years Childcare and Parenting Services. Gill Roberts is curriculum leader for Harrow Access and Inclusion Division People First. Alison Tonkin is NVQ manager for early years care and education at Stanmore College.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- Department for Children, Schools and Families (2007a) Tackling the growth in childhood obesity. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/obesity
- E-mail catherine.alderson@harrow.gov.uk; gill.roberts@harrow.gov.uk; or a.tonkin@stanmore.ac.uk.
LINKS TO EYFS GUIDANCE
- UC 1.3 Health and Well-being
- PR 2.2 Parents as Partners
- EE 3.3 The Learning Environment.