Location: Community and Living » Childcare » Sure and Healthy Start

Sure and Healthy Start

Birth to Three Matters
My Child's Health
My Child is Special
Worried About Something?
Young Carers
A Sure Start for school
Extra help or tuition

Building on the government's 'Every Child Matters' programme, all local agencies working with children are now seeking to improve five outcomes for children: to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being.

Birth to Three Matters

Decisions about childcare and early education are among the most important in the life of any child.
In November 2002, the Sure Start Unit launched "Birth to three matters: A framework to support children in their earliest years". The Framework provides support, information, guidance and challenge for all those with responsibility for the care and education of children up to the age of three. It identifies four aspects which celebrate the skills and competences of babies and very young children, and highlights the interrelationship between growth, learning development and the environment in which they are cared for and educated. These aspects are a strong child, a skilful communicator, a competent learner, and a healthy child. Follow the link to find out more.

Birth to Three Matters Website http://www.surestart.gov.uk/improvingquality/frameworks/birthtothreematters/

CIS works closely with Library and Information Services to deliver the Bookstart programme to promote early learning and literacy. We visit baby clinics, post natal sessions and other groups. Look out for CIS or Bookstart out and about on our outreach programme or call us for information on 01628 781 430.

Contact CIS for details of baby massage classes or baby signing, or look online at our local pages on http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/ , or call us for a list of local baby activities such as singing, dancing or art and crafts.

If you are interested in green issues and how families can help, follow the link to Waste Disposal for information about environmental issues for minimising waste, and an A-Z guide covering all kinds of rubbish problems, including information about green alternatives to nappies.

My Child's Health

The local health professionals have a wealth of information on their website and can help with some of those difficult questions that parents may find that they need to find answers to, including diet, and issues about growing up. http://www.healthvisiting.org/ or contact your health visitor at local clinics, GP surgery or by phone.

There is also national information on the web pages for the NHS. Follow the link: http://www.nhs.uk/

Healthy activity and fresh air is important for a growing family, and you can enjoy a huge choice of parks in this area, all for free. Follow the link to our parks for further information and for leaflets : parks and outdoor spaces.

My Child is Special

Early Years have an excellent booklet called Signpost which has invaluable local information for parents in need of help for a child with special needs or a disability. It covers all kinds of topics including speech therapy, sight and hearing problems, autism, SEN services, statements and key milestones such as transition. It also covers the work of the local forum, Parents in Partnership and other support groups, plus resources such as the Toy Library and local activities. The Parent Partnership co-ordinator for the Royal Borough can be contacted on 01628 683 182. If you would like a copy of Signpost, or would like to know more, call CIS on 01628 781 430 .

Contact a Family provide information, advice, support and contacts for families caring for children with disabilities or special needs. See their web pages http://www.cafamily.org.uk/ or contact them on 0808 808 3555.

The Royal Borough is also making better provision for holiday schemes for children with disabilities and special needs. Please contact us at CIS for details, or Anthea Neads, Playscheme Co-Ordinator at the Early Years and Childcare Service on 01628 781 430.

Worried about Something?

What if I am worried about a child? We can help to point you to sources of help for family changes, separation and divorce, times of transition, problems when changing schools, difficult or bad behaviour, being in trouble, teenage problems, including drugs, running away from home, bullying, homework worries and using the Internet safely.

The Royal Borough's Children's Services Directory has lots of useful links covering all ages. For older children, you can find contact numbers and information about contraception and sexual health including a new sexual health clinic for young people, on the pages for Teenage Pregnancy.

CIS can also direct parents who need extra help with disputes to local mediation services, such as the Thames Valley Family Mediation Service: http://www.familymediation.org/index.htm .

If you are looking for self help, ask in your local library for the Parents Collection, where you will find books containing a wealth of advice for parents and carers covering all ages from tots to teens. Watch out for our library displays, and look on our parents and carers pages for more help and further links. We want children and parents to be safe and feel safe wherever they are, at home, out and about, at school, and also using the internet, instant messaging and mobile phones.

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http://www.youngcarers.net/ with useful information, as well as the Trust's web site http://www.carers.org/

Carers UK have a National Young Carers Officer who can offer support and information. http://www.carersonline.org.uk/

A Sure Start for school

The following links may be useful for you if you want more information about standards.

You can find information about the Healthy Schools initiative in the Royal Borough, which supports the PSHE and citizenship part of the school curriculum, plus drug education, sex education, and emotional health and well-being.

Extra help or tuition

Ask at your child's setting if you are worried about progress, or contact us for our Signpost booklet if you are concerned about your child's special needs. If you are looking for extra help for other sources, CIS has a list of personal tutors in the area which we can post or email to you.

posted 08 March 2007