Voluntary-sector consortium to lead national campaign to highlight children's speech and language
24/02/2010
The Communication Trust, a 38-strong consortium of private and voluntary-sector providers, will be spearheading a nationwide 'National Year' campaign in 2011 which will highlight the importance of children's communication skills.
The Trust, which raises awareness about speech, language and communication issues for all those working with children and young people, was set up by Afasic, BT Better World Campaign, the Council for Disabled Children and I CAN.
New campaign to help adults lose their spare tyres
17/02/2010
More than one million mums already making healthier choices with Change4Life
One million mums say their families are eating better and being more active, and people are making positive changes to their shopping habits, thanks to Change4Life. This new data comes as the Government’s healthy living movement celebrates its first year of activity today.
Change4Life is an innovative, interactive healthy living campaign. It helps families to achieve and maintain a healthier lifestyle by promoting healthy habits that encourage them to eat well, move more and live longer.
Baby screening could highlight pre-school support needs
17/02/2010
Screening tests that monitor babies' development could help identify children who will need learning support in their pre-school years, it has been claimed.
As part of the Millennium Cohort Study, carried out by the Institute of Education at the University of London, 15,000 children born between 2000 and 2001 were tracked for the first five years of their lives.
We have all come so far
04/02/2010
A family worker came to see us and recommended we take Jacob to the local Sure Start Children’s Centre at St Thomas’. I’d heard about Sure Start before, when Elysia, now 10, was little. They sounded great and the only reason I didn’t take her at the time was that the children’s centre was quite far from where we lived and I didn’t drive.
Elysia loves the children’s centre as well. Two of the family workers invited Elysia to help out with the musical babies classes. It makes her feel involved in Jacob’s progress and important to the children’s centre. The people who work in these children’s centres really do go above and beyond the call of duty to help all the families they meet. They have had the biggest impact on me and my family and I feel we’re lucky to have them.
Liverpool-based Little League Sports company is a big success
19/01/2010
TWO enterprising former Gateacre Comprehensive School pupils are enjoying great success developing a sporting project for youngsters across Liverpool.
It was in November 2008 when Jordan Wright and pal Joseph Mulhearn formed a community interest company called Little League Sports.
Within 12 months, Waves Enterprise selected the company as the most outstanding new business of the year.
The young entrepreneurs offer not only coaching but also alternative education and training provisions.
LLS are currently working in partnership and providing services for Sure Start children’s centres and youth services in the city.
Sure Start Children's Centres And Early Years To Partner BBC's Dig In Campaign For 2010
11/01/2010
Dig In is a BBC Learning campaign to encourage audiences to grow their own vegetables in the space available at home. Building on the success of the 2009 campaign, in 2010 Dig In will continue to encourage novice gardeners to grow and cook their own food.
There is a focus on what can be done in small spaces: patios, balconies and window boxes. At harvest time, Dig In inspires growers to take their vegetables from plot to pot with easy to prepare, tasty recipes.
The Dig In campaign is targeted at first-time growers, with a particular emphasis on encouraging the shared experience of growing and cooking with families with young children. At the heart of the campaign are five new varieties of Dig In vegetables: salad, carrot, courgette, basil and French beans.
Government sets out vision for high-quality child mental health services
07/01/2010
Children’s Minister Delyth Morgan and Care Services Minister Phil Hope today reinforced the clear expectation for all local areas to deliver good quality mental health services for all children, including 24 hour cover for urgent mental health problems and child-only facilities for under-16s.
The Government is calling on all local areas to support children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health, as it publishes its full response to the 20 recommendations in last-year’s independent review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Keeping Children and Young People In Mind sets out the Government’s commitment to support local areas to deliver effective and high quality mental health services for children and young people, drawing upon existing evidence and good practice. Stopping emotional and mental health problems in childhood escalating to problems later in life will help young people achieve their full potential, and also help cut the cost to society of poor health, poverty, crime and low educational attainment.
Poor children suffer more injuries in informal childcare
06/01/2010
Children from deprived backgrounds are more likely to sustain accidental injuries while in informal childcare, a study has found.
Researchers from the UCL Institute of Child Health, the York and Humber Public Health Observatory and the University of York found that children aged three who were from poorer families and whose parents were less educated were more likely to sustain unintentional injuries in informal care than children from more affluent backgrounds.
The report's findings are based on the long-term health and wellbeing of almost 14,000 children born in the UK between 2000 and 2002 who are being tracked as part of the Millennium Cohort Study.
Government response to the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group's sixth annual report
15/12/2009
Children’s Minister Dawn Primarolo and Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron today welcomed the publication of the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group’s sixth annual report and will be responding to all the recommendations next year.
They called on local authorities and Primary Care Trusts to continue prioritising the Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy beyond December 2010 – putting a particular focus on improving sex and relationships education (SRE) in and out of schools and helping sexually active teenagers use contraception effectively. In addition to the £45m provided for improved contraceptive services over the last two years, local areas have recently received additional support through the Contraception Worth Talking About campaign, which was launched on 30 November 2009. This will be further supported by legislation to make SRE a compulsory part of the curriculum from September 2011.
Swine flu vaccination: information for parents of children over six months and under five years old
15/12/2009
All children over six months and under five years of age are now being offered the swine flu vaccine. This leaflet has been developed to provide parents and carers with information about the vaccination.
Epsom and St Helier hospital midwives shortlisted for national award
09/12/2009
A pair of Epsom and St Helier midwives who care for pregnant teenagers were shortlisted for a national award.
Colleen Robinson and Sue Sasse were nominated for the Royal College of Midwives’ team of the year award, and are now through to the final.
The team run a weekly session from Muschamp Children’s Centre in Carshalton, where young mums-to-be and their partners can get advice and support.
Swine Flu Vaccinations for under fives to start before Christmas
08/12/2009
Children between the ages of six months and five years will start to be vaccinated against swine flu in the run up to Christmas, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.
This age group has been identified as the next priority group for the vaccine because they are more likely to be hospitalised if they fall ill with swine flu. They also have high rates of admission to critical care and, sadly, there have also been some deaths.
The decision to vaccinate this group is supported by advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation – the UK’s independent advisory board on vaccines.
Sarah Brown hosts The Downing Tweet Christmas Party
07/12/2009
Sarah Brown met the faces behind the ‘tweets’ when she welcomed guests supporting the Million Mums campaign to Downing Street for a special Christmas party.
‘The Downing Tweet Christmas Party’ provided an opportunity for people from all walks of life, from student action groups to the entertainment industries, to come together and raise awareness for Million Mums.
The campaign’s aim is to sign up a million people to donate to the cause to stop preventable deaths in childbirth and through birth related complications because of poor access to healthcare.
Toolkit urges greater PCT role in children's centres
03/12/2009
Children's centres and health services will be issued with new guidance in a bid to improve the way they work together.
Together for Children (TfC), the agency responsible for delivering the government's children's centre programme, has created a toolkit to support training. It is aimed at planning and commissioning services within local authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs), as well as children's centre staff and their partner agencies.
Healthcare professionals to give families a healthy Start4Life
27/11/2009
Health Secretary previews new Change4Life Campaign at the Royal College of Midwives conference.
An extension of the Government’s Change4Life campaign, which helps families ‘eat well, move more and live longer’, will be announced by Health Secretary Andy Burnham at the Royal College of Midwives today.
The Start4Life campaign, will support front line staff to deliver the Healthy Child Programme, supporting pregnant women and parents of babies to establish good feeding and activity habits for their babies to help them reduce the risk of becoming obese in later life.
Not enough doctors in joint working safeguarding training
27/11/2009
Insufficient numbers of doctors and adult services staff are getting involved in inter-agency training aimed at safeguarding children, according to research.
A study of the organisation, outcomes and costs of such training carried out by the University of Bristol and Durham University concluded that there was also a lack of participants from the housing sector and libraries.
The report highlighted previous research and policy guidance that had consistently advocated that "if professionals concerned with safeguarding children are to work together more effectively, they should learn together".
DCSF Speeches: Child Health - Speech by Dawn Primarolo
26/11/2009
This is a transcript of the speech by Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo in London on 26 November 2009. She talks about the delivery of children's health services.
Dads without training 'a danger at childbirth'
25/11/2009
Dads are a danger to their partners and babies if they attend the birth of their child without proper preparation and training, a fatherhood expert has claimed.
Duncan Fisher, director of Family Info and former chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, will make the argument today in a debate at the Royal College of Midwives Student Conference.
According to Fisher, fathers can have a huge positive influence when present at the childbirth, but a lack of information can lead to them doing more harm than good. He will be debating with obstetrician Michael Odent, who has recently stated that fathers should not be present at a child's birth at all.
Children over six months and under five years will be offered vaccine
19/11/2009
The swine flu vaccination programme will be extended to offer children over six months and under five protection against the virus.
Extending the vaccination programme to young children is supported by the panel of experts that provide advice on vaccination issues - the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Children under five years of age are more likely than other groups to be hospitalised if they become ill with swine flu. Young children also have high rates of admission to critical care and, sadly, there have been some deaths.
Family lunch program brings Brighton stay-at-home parents together
17/11/2009
The Brighton Children's Centre, with support from the Hennessy Foundation and the Clothing Depot, is hosting the Family Lunch Program again this year. Open to parents and caregivers with children under the age of six, the lunch program provides an opportunity for fellowship, fun and nutritious feasting.
Located at Trinity St. Andrews United Church each Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the program offers a play area with activities and crafts for children, an opportunity for parents to socialize, and a delicious buffet style lunch. Following lunch, copies of the recipes are available, sharing how to prepare healthy, cost-effective meals.
Developing maternity services for teenagers
13/11/2009
Consultant midwife Rachel Ambler spoke of the negative impact critical and reactive health professionals can have on pregnant teenagers at a recent meeting in London.
A consultant midwife in public health at the Whittington Hospital in North London, she was speaking at the Maternity and Newborn Forum in the Royal Society of Medicine.
She said that ‘once you get a young person into the maternity service then it is far too late to be judgemental.’ This might be the first organisation to offer congratulations to the teenage couple on the pregnancy.
Child Home Safety
12/11/2009
The DCSF have developed a toolkit that aims to raise awareness of child home safety and give parents simple advice on how they can make their home a safer environment. The toolkit includes posters and leaflets and is free of charge.
Around 3 million children are taken to accident and emergency every year because they’ve been hurt in accidents. 362,000 are admitted to hospital. Falling down the stairs, getting burns or scalds or swallowing harmful substances are accidents that are still far too common.
It is recognised that children should not be prevented from learning and developing naturally but they need to grow in a safe environment protected from serious harm. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes is a good way for parents to be more aware of the possible danger points and make their home safer.
To find out more about the Child Home Safety campaign and toolkit , please contact Bev Tomkins at iris on 02076547930 or email Beverley.tomkins@iris-london.co.uk
In Practice: Know How - Children's mental health
05/11/2009
Professionals working in children's centres and extended services are ideally placed to detect signs of mental illness in children or young people.
Some may have extreme or developed mental health problems but mental health also encompasses day-to-day stresses and anxieties, which may relate to a child's home life. Children's centre and extended school staff can play an important role in detecting problems early on and helping parents find the right support for their child.
Mental illness or stress can affect a child's behaviour so it's important those working with children are trained to recognise symptoms. Indicators might include changes in a child's usual behaviour, not sleeping or bed-wetting. Other symptoms could include self-harm, disruptive or withdrawn behaviour and fussiness around order or cleanliness.
Child obesity 'has peaked'
03/11/2009
The 30-year rise in child obesity may have peaked, researchers report. The increase in overweight and obesity among children which has continued without pause since the mid-1970s is now on a downward trajectory, according to latest figures.
The forecast number of overweight girls aged 2 to 11 in 2020 has dropped from 34 per cent to 17 per cent, and the proportion of obese girls from 14 per cent to 10 per cent.
Among boys, the forecast number of overweight is down from 22 per cent to 17 per cent, and for the obese it is down from 20 per cent to 13 per cent.
Traffic light food labelling to help parents choose healthier foods, the Sure Start scheme to give new parents support and improved breast feeding rates, which reduces the risk of obesity in later life, may all have contributed, he said.
Food Safety Advice for Childminders
03/11/2009
The Food Standards Agency has launched a ‘Safer food, better business’ (SFBB) pack especially for childminders. The pack gives simple, straightforward advice on food safety.
Many childminders are now covered by food safety regulations and the pack has been designed to help them comply with these regulations with as little paperwork as possible.
To order a copy, telephone 0845 606 0667 or email: foodstandards@ecgroup.co.uk.
First-time mothers need support most at five months
02/11/2009
The Department of Health has pinpointed the most important time for children's professionals to offer support to first-time mothers outside of the first eight weeks of motherhood.
Based on the views of first-time mothers that used the NHS Baby LifeCheck online questionnaire, five months and one week after giving birth has been highlighted as the crucial time to offer support.
This is the time when visits from friends and family decline and when first-time mothers feel most anxious and isolated about their baby’s wellbeing. The time also coincides with changes in the baby’s development such as weaning.
Working mothers do not harm babies' development, says major new study
28/10/2009
Children's development and behaviour is not harmed if their mothers go back to work when they are babies, according to major new research.
The report, 'Does mothers' employment affect children's development?', said that 'despite public opinion to the contrary', there is 'little evidence' that mothers who return to work in the first year of their child's life damage the cognitive or behavioural development of school-age children.
Young parents get helping hand
28/10/2009
It is well known that teenage pregnancy and health inequalities are closely linked. With Britain having one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Western Europe, the issue is a major contributing factor to health gaps seen up and down the country.
Medway in Kent is no different to many areas, with a teenage pregnancy rate similar to the national average. But the council, local primary care trust (PCT) and acute trust are tackling the issue head-on through the multi-agency Supporting Young Parents integrated team.
Manchester City Council Takes Steps To Transform Special Needs Education In the City
22/10/2009
Proposals that will further transform special education teaching and learning in Manchester and give more choice and better outcomes for young people have been agreed by the Council's Executive earlier this week.
The city wide proposals will see a continuum of provision developed for children and young people who have special educational needs from pre-school through to school leaving age and beyond.
The £28 million package of proposals includes early assessment through designated Sure Start centres and associated early years providers, and specially resourced provision at six mainstream primary schools and three mainstream high schools.
Balls calls on professionals to boost health visiting
16/10/2009
Children's secretary Ed Balls has thrown his backing behind the government's attempt to boost health visiting, adding it is now down to the professionals themselves to press the case for change.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association (CPHVA) in Southport, Balls said pressure needs to be applied to local health services to get numbers up.
Review of NHS children’s services
14/10/2009
Sir Ian Kennedy today set out the areas he will consider in his review of NHS services for children, looking at how to build on recent progress and ensure lasting improvements in quality and outcomes for children.
The Chief Executive of the NHS, David Nicholson, has commissioned Sir Ian to explore the cultural obstacles that can stand in the way of sustained improvement in the provision of care for children and to consider what can be done to develop the NHS’ contribution to safeguarding children.
Play England offers guidance for local strategy
08/10/2009
Local authorities have been issued with guidance to help them implement the government's play strategy across a range of services.
Play England's Embedding the Play Strategy recommends how children's trusts should plan and commission services based on a local play strategy.
The document is open for consultation until the end of October, with responses requested from directors of children's services, children's trusts and those working in the voluntary and play sectors, as well as members of wider strategic partnerships such as commissioning, planning, transport, health, housing, schools, police, leisure and landscape architects.
Food safety advice for childminders
08/10/2009
The Food Standards Agency has launched a ‘Safer food, better business’ (SFBB) pack especially for childminders. The pack gives simple, straightforward advice on food safety.
Many childminders are now covered by food safety regulations and the pack has been designed to help them comply with these regulations with as little paperwork as possible.
It is based on the same principles as the other SFBB packs, but it is shorter, and has advice tailored to childminders, including information on feeding babies and children, cooking, cleaning, chilling and looking after a child with a food allergy.
Anti-smoking work in deprived areas could cut stillbirths
01/10/2009
Focusing anti-smoking promotion and support on young mothers in deprived communities could dramatically reduce the number of stillbirths and infant deaths, according to latest research.
Research published this week in the British Medical Journal has found that a disproportionately high number of young mothers in deprived communities smoke and are also more likely to experience a stillbirth or the death of their baby.
In contrast stillbirth and infant death incidents as well as smoking were far less common among older mothers from more affluent areas.
Practitioners advised to check jabs status of new children
30/09/2009
Childcare practitioners and teaching staff should check the immunisation status of children when they start nursery or school, according to official guidance published last week.
A report by the the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that checks on immunisation status are carried out by teams led by health visitors in conjunction with childcare or education staff and parents.
If children are found to be behind with their vaccinations, nursery or school staff should, in conjunction with health practitioners, explain to parents why immunisation is important, the report advises.
Children of working mothers have unhealthier lives
29/09/2009
The children of working mothers are more likely to be unhealthy than those whose mothers stay at home, according to research.
Researchers studied more than 12,500 five-year-olds and found children of working mothers were more likely to be driven to school, have sugary drinks between meals, and spend more than two hours in front of the television every day.
Children whose mothers worked full-time were less likely to snack on fruit or vegetables or eat three or more portions of fruit a day.
Additional Paternity leave and Pay - Consultation on draft regulations
25/09/2009
As part of the Government's commitment to give choice and flexibility to parents, we announced on 14th September our intention to introduce Additional Paternity leave for fathers of children due on or after 3 April 2011. This new right will give fathers a right to up to six months extra leave which can be taken once the mother has returned to work. Some of the leave may be paid if taken during the mother’s maternity pay period. This will be paid at the same standard rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) which is currently £123.06.
This new provision will be available during the second six months of the child’s life, giving mums and dads with more choice in child care responsibilities and a more equitable sharing of leave entitlements. The scheme has been designed to minimise the administrative burdens on business whilst allowing fathers a greater opportunity to be involved in raising their child.
Family Nurse Partnership improving outcomes for vulnerable families
23/09/2009
Young first time mothers are being helped to improve the life chances of their babies and fathers are more involved in the early years of their children’s lives thanks to the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme, independent research published today has found.
Immunity to allergies from going to nursery is 'a myth', says study
16/09/2009
The belief that going to nursery helps children build up immunity to asthma and allergies later in life is wrong, new research suggests.
A study published in this month's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a journal of the American Thoracic Society, found that children who start nursery before the age of two are twice as likely to experience wheezing in the first year of life.
Analysis: Lottery-funded play programme - Free play comes at a cost
09/09/2009
The successes and the drawbacks of a multi-million-pound initiative to give children better access to play provision have been counted up by researchers. Melanie Defries hears views on what it means.
A study assessing the impact of a £124m lottery-funded initiative to improve children's access to play has found early signs of success while highlighting problem areas for local authorities and delivery partners. The Big Lottery Fund's Children's Play Programme aims to raise the profile of play and to create and improve free play areas across England. The three-year scheme, launched in 2007, has awarded grants ranging between £100,000 and...
Play4Life scheme provides £2m worth of free indoor play
08/09/2009
Children across the UK will have access to £2m worth of free indoor play under a scheme launched by the Play Providers Association this week.
The Play4Life scheme is helping to deliver the active side of the government's Change4Life campaign, which is promoting healthier lifestyles among children.
Parents can find their local participating play centre on the Play Providers website and can claim free play on visits until the end of this month.
http://www.playproviders.org.uk/
Guide to embedding baby talk strategy in local authorities
03/09/2009
A new guide calling for local authorities to ensure that early years communication is a designated responsibility within every local authority has been launched by the National Literacy Trust's early language campaign Talk to Your Baby (TTYB).
The free paper - Guidance for developing a strategic approach to speech, language and communication in the early years - provides local authorities with a structure for a sustained approach to early communication work and a way of developing an authority-wide approach to provision.
Children's centre offers support during Ramadan for healthier habits
19/08/2009
Muslim fathers are being encouraged to use Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting that starts on 21 August, as an inspiration to lead healthier lifestyles and set good examples for their children.
Gladstone Children's Centre in Peterborough is urging Muslim fathers to quit smoking during Ramadan.
Cycle safety training starts for tots in Redcar
14/08/2009
Some of them only learned to walk barely a year ago, yet kids as young as two could be found pedalling away to their hearts’ content on the pioneering scheme.
Held at the Sure Start building in Green Gates School, Redcar, the pilot session proved so successful it will be rolled out to other Sure Start centres in the borough. But if nurseries and kids' groups are interested, they'll be able to book it too.
In the sessions, cyclists are encouraged to try basic exercises, including:
Following a string without going off the line
Weaving in and out of cones without touching or putting a foot down.
Guidance on National Child Measurement Programme
10/08/2009
This guidance sets out advice on how the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) should be implemented. It has been developed in consultation with staff in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) who have responsibility for implementation of the programme. The guidance will be of interest to all local authorities who will be working closely with PCTs in tackling childhood obesity, but will be of particular interest to those who have NI 55 and NI 56 in their local priorities.
Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England Post 2010 (Marmot Review)
27/07/2009
The consultation on the first phase of the Review is now open and will run until August 5th.
The aim of the Review is to propose an evidence based strategy for reducing health inequalities from 2010. The strategy will include policies and interventions that address the social determinants of health inequalities.
The Review has four tasks:
(i) identify, for the health inequalities challenge facing England, the evidence most relevant to underpinning future policy and action
(ii) show how this evidence could be translated into practice
(iii) advise on possible objectives and measures, building on the experience of the current PSA target on infant mortality and life expectancy
(iv) publish a report of the review's work that will contribute to the development of a post-2010 health inequalities strategy.
One of the key areas for review is “The Early Years and Education” and the Marmot Review team are especially keen to hear from Children's Centre Leaders on the work of children’s centres and how this can evidence the reduction of health inequalities for children and their families.
To take part in the consultation please go to
the publication link where consultation documents can be downloaded.
Netmums poll finds mothers want child safety advice
19/06/2009
Mothers want more help from early years practitioners in preventing childhood accidents in the home, according to a survey.
Online community Netmums polled 1,166 mothers of under-fives, and found more than half relied on advice passed down from their own parents when it comes to child safety. Almost one in three also said they get their advice from other family members.
But when asked who they would like to be giving them the support required, 75 per cent of mothers said playgroups and 72 per cent said parenting groups.
'Mums, remember you are not alone'
16/06/2009
A NEW support group aimed at providing support for mums suffering from Post Natal Depression has been set up in Spilsby.
Part of the Lincolnshire PND Support Network, which is a branch of Lincoln Mind, the group is the first in East Lindsey and has been started by parents themselves.
Run by mums, for mums, the group held its first meeting on Monday and will continue to hold regular sessions at Spilsby Children's Centre sending out the message 'don't suffer alone'.
Cannock children book up ideas
29/05/2009
A new book encouraging families across Cannock Chase district to take part in healthy activities has been published.
Eighteen families worked with Cannock Chase Council’s Arts Development team, Cannock Chase Children’s Centre and South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust to come up with fun activities for parents to do with their children.
The book is a result of their hard work over the last couple of years.
Breastfeeding awareness rewarded
13/05/2009
UNICEF has awarded the local NHS and Sure Start centres for their commitment to promoting breastfeeding in the borough; in the same week as breastfeeding awareness week.
NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale has been working with Rochdale Borough Sure Start Children’s Centres and Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust to establish a baby friendly borough for breastfeeding. UNICEF has recognised this commitment by awarding the organisations with the Baby Friendly Certificate of Commitment.
The accolade recognises that the organisations have developed a robust breastfeeding policy and have a plan in place to further develop best practice in regard to infant feeding.
Inclusion Development Programme (IDP): Supporting pupils on the autism spectrum
07/05/2009
Phase two of the IDP has been developed by the National Strategies in partnership with the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) at the University of Birmingham.
This resource aims to secure improved educational outcomes for pupils on the autism spectrum in all schools and early years settings.
The materials will support classroom teachers, teaching assistants and those in initial teacher training, to further develop quality first teaching, while enabling school leaders to adopt a strategic approach to personalised learning and to narrow the gaps for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
The IDP supports the evaluation of skills and provides opportunities for collaborative professional development to help ensure that quality first teaching means quality for all.
The materials are available online from the DCSF website (see publication link) and DVDs were distributed to schools and settings via local authorities from April.
Take a healthy food tip from a teddy bear
06/05/2009
A teddy bear chef is teaching nursery children about nutrition on his quest to fight childhood obesity.
The bear, Mr Willow, aims to teach children how to cook and be more confident in handling food.
He has already helped promote healthy food activities and served nutritionally balanced meals to Willow Cottage Nurseries in Oxfordshire, and is now set to deliver his healthy message to settings across the country.
Baby growth charts introduced to increase breastfeeding
06/05/2009
New charts will be introduced next week to measure the growth of babies in a bid to increase breastfeeding and reduce obesity.
The charts will be based on the presumption that babies are breast-fed, as opposed to the current system, based on growth rates for formula fed babies.
Health chiefs are keen to promote the benefits of breastfeeding as children gain weight more slowly as opposed to when they are fed with formula.
This measure leads to a 1kg difference in weight by the age of one.
Health advice to cope with crunch
30/10/2008
Children's services support agency Together for Children has increased its health support services for local authorities in order to handle health issues arising from the credit crunch and address child poverty.
Joining forces to tackle obesity issue
30/10/2008
ORGANISATIONS have joined forces to help tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity in the borough – with an estimated 14,000 obese children.
More than 100 delegates from the council, health service, schools, children's centres, sports and leisure facilities in North Tyneside discussed potential outcomes at a conference at the Langdale Centre in Howdon.
Child Health Special Report: Early years and health link up
08/10/2008
"The Child Health Strategy is set to urge primary care trusts to link more with children's centres. But how will this work in practice? Joe Lepper reports."
Toddlers to get free check at parties
08/10/2008
"Health workers have come up with a way of making sure youngsters are fighting fit – a monthly check-up party for all toddlers as they celebrate their third birthday.
The health visiting team for the Sure Start programme at Saffron Children's Centre, Leicester, is throwing a monthly birthday party for children turning three, so the team can complete as many of the check-ups as possible in just one day."
Children's centres in campaign for healthy snacks
02/10/2008
Children's centres are encouraging parents to replace at least one unhealthy snack in their child's diet with a healthy one, under a new campaign in the north-west of England.
New Stop Smoking Centres
25/09/2008
"Two new drop-in clinics to help people stop smoking have been launched in Salisbury
The stop smoking clinics, where no appointment is needed, are open every Tuesday at Salisbury City Centre Children's Centre in St Edmunds Church Street, from 12.30-2pm, and at Bemerton Heath Neighbourhood Centre, Pinewood Way, from 3-4.30pm."
Caring for tiny teeth in Stockton
11/09/2008
The Tiny Teeth project, a partnership between Stockton Council and the Oral Health Promotions Department of Stockton Teaching PCT, will support Children's Centres staff to encourage better dental care.
Register Baby's Birth at Sure Start Children's Centres
29/08/2008
"Nottingham City Council’s Registration Service is implementing a programme to bring Registration closer to the community.
In January 2008 a full time service to register births and deaths was launched at both City Hospital and Queens Medical Centre which has proved very successful.
Building on this success, the team are launching a service in partnership with the leading charity, NCH Action for Children to register births at Sure Start Children’s Centres in Aspley and Broxtowe"
New child health clinics in Barnstaple
18/08/2008
"PARENTS and families in Barnstaple will benefit from two new child health clinics.
From next month, the clinics will move into Barnstaple's children's centres with extended opening hours to help parents who work.
The clinics, for children aged between 0 and 16 years, are run primarily by health visitors offering advice and support on issues relating to children's health.
"
Breastfeeding campaign hailed
18/08/2008
Walsall health chiefs have hailed the success of an event held to encourage women to breastfeed their children.
Scores of women took part in a teddy bears' picnic at Walsall Arboretum on August 8, in celebration of World Breastfeeding Awareness Week.
Assistance to stop smoking
14/08/2008
A children’s centre is among locations for a new NHS Stop Smoking Service session designed to help local residents kick the habit.
Two million pledged for breastfeeding drive
06/08/2008
The government has stumped up an extra two million pounds to help more women in England breastfeed.
NOTTS MUMS TEACHING OTHERS TO BREAST-FEED
02/08/2008
"A Mentoring scheme to help mums who are breast-feeding has been set up in Notts.
Women who have successfully breast-fed will share their experiences with new mums and encourage them as part of World Breast-feeding Week from August 1 to 7.
The scheme is run by Notts County Primary Care Trust and Sure Start Children's Centres.
"
Groups come together to promote child safety
15/07/2008
THREE family fun days delivering a message of 'Make A Change, Make A Difference' have been hosted around Blyth.
Blyth Valley Children's Centres joined forces with the fire service, police, Blyth Valley Community Safety and NCT health trainers to host the family safety-themed events
UEA to study childhood accidents
27/06/2008
The five-year study, due to start later this year, will work with children's centres to implement effective approaches for children and their families.
Wellbeing channel to promote health
27/06/2008
Saturday, 9am - AN exciting TV channel aimed at promoting health and wellbeing has been introduced into schools and children's centres in Skegness and Wainfleet.
New support to get mums to breastfeed
24/05/2008
Six more baby cafes have opened in Doncaster as part of a major push to encourage more breastfeeding by new mums. The new cafes are based at children's centres or health centres at Bentley, Edenthorpe, Sprotbrough, Rossington, Stainforth and Wheatley, where they provide support to mothers who think 'breast is best'.
Yummy Mummy's breastfeeding campaign
22/05/2008
The be a star campaign, feature mums from Blackpool and North Lancashire, was launched on Saturday - the start of Breastfeeding Awareness Week and posters featuring Vanessa, Nia and Samantha with their babies are being displayed as posters and on buses, bus shelters and phone kiosks , plus children's centres, health centres, and GP surgeries The aim is to increase the number of young mums who are proud to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding week celebrated
14/05/2008
Mothers are attending events across Northamptonshire to celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness week, which runs until Saturday. The county council has organised gatherings at children's centres in Thorplands and Raunds plus a party in Wellingborough.
Packs to help children learn
02/05/2008
The Talking with Baby packs have been launched by the area's Sure Start Children's Centres, and feature information leaflets, a nursery rhyme booklet for parents and carers, and cards for use in group play and learning sessions.
Mums get stripped for launch of breastfeeding campaign
01/04/2008
A team of breastfeeding mums in Sunderland AFC strips are giving their support to a new health campaign.
Eat your greens
01/04/2008
Examples of local initiatives include the 'Buggy Walks Scheme' by Buckinghamshire PCT, which provides training for children's centres to promote active living in the under 5's.
Children's Health a Priority
29/03/2008
The government has unveiled new initiatives to make child health a priority.
Speech problems 'need attention'
21/03/2008
The Bercow Report has found that the current provision for children with speech and language difficulties is patchy at best, with many involved in a postcode lottery.
Ministers warn child health must be taken seriously
19/03/2008
A scheme that sees nurses assigned to young parents from disadvantaged backgrounds is to be expanded.
The Family Nurse Partnership Programme
19/03/2008
Health Minister Anne Keen, with Children's Minister Beverley Hughes, have highlighted the importance of child health for all children and families and urged Commissioners to make a new health programme a priority
DoH launches updated Child Health Promotion Programme
18/03/2008
The Department of Health has launched an updated “Child health promotion programme (CHPP): Pregnancy and the first five years of life.”
Young Mums declare Breast is Best
17/03/2008
TWO young mums are proudly declaring that breast is best as part of a new campaign.
Training to encourage better diets
11/03/2008
Kayt Horsley, public health development specialist at Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust, has managed a project to train staff in nurseries, children's centres and child minders in the Deepdale and Ingol areas of Preston.
Hundreds of nurseries gear up for themed 'Healthy Body, Happy Me' events as official celebration week approaches
04/03/2008
A call to action from the NDNA to nurseries that they can still get involved in the organisation's Healthy body, Happy Me events which launch on 10 March.
Health clinics and Sure Start services add to enhanced provision at children's centre
20/09/2007
A London children's centre that had been partly closed since November after a voluntary provider shut down has celebrated its relaunch with a family fun day.
Health clinics and Sure Start services add to enhanced provision at children's centre
20/09/2007
A London children's centre that had been partly closed since November after a voluntary provider shut down has celebrated its relaunch with a family fun day.
Sessions on offer to ensure a healthy birth
20/09/2007
Parents-to-be are welcome to meet midwives and healthcare assistants, and learn about the variety of services on offer at the 11 children's centres in the Sunderland City Council area.
Healthy eating insight
03/08/2007
Rossendale children's centres teamed up with Rossendale school nurses, health visitors and staff from East Lancashire Primary Care Trust to promote healthy lifestyles for the Be Healthy Campaign.
Teenage Pregnancy: Improving Outcomes for Teenage Parents and their Children.
02/08/2007
To complement guidance sent last year to local areas on accelerating reductions in under-18 conceptions, the Department for Children, Schools and Families has launched a refreshed strategy designed to improve outcomes for teenage parents and their children.
Call for children to eat healthily
20/06/2007
The Snack Right campaign, led by the national ChaMPs Public Health Network, supports families of pre-school children living in less well-off communities to make healthier choices.
Take your pick of free fruit and veg
19/06/2007
A campaign is being held across Bradford and Airedale to give families the best start in life by making sure they can get affordable, good quality fruit and vegetables.
The Big Toddle - a sporting event for the Under 5s
15/06/2007
You've heard of the New York marathon. And the London counterpart packs them in round the streets of the capital. Next week there's a sporting event in Haringey with a difference - The Big Toddle.
Swimming Lessons for mums
07/06/2007
More mums in North Kerrier are learning to swim thanks to a partnership between local children's centres, Cornwall Sports Partnership and the Penventon Hotel in Redruth.
Breast is still best
04/06/2007
Message being used by Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust and Sunderland Children's Centres to draw more attention to the benefits of breastfeeding.
Swansea Children's Centre supports breast feeding
31/05/2007
Swansea Children's Centre has been given national recognition as one of the latest buildings that are supporting breast feeding across Swansea.
Health project nominated
26/02/2007
A Health project designed to improve children's listening skills has been short-listed for another top NHS award. The Listening Bags project, by Notts County Teaching Primary Care Trust and Sure Start Ashfield.
Support for Young Mums
14/02/2007
YOUNG mothers, expecting their first baby and who could benefit from a high level of support and home visiting, are to benefit from a new scheme offering intensive support from community midwifes and health visitors.