World Health Day
Essential health resources for new parents, in one place
Children get sick. It’s perfectly normal. Most of the time it’s easily treated but prevention is always better than cure.
For World Health Day, we have resources on:
• immunisations,
• sleep routines,
• teething, and
• first aid
to help you support your child’s wellness and health.
The information is listed in one place here:
'Free' childcare and early education: a guide for parents and carers
There are a range of funded early education and childcare schemes available for parents and carers in England
What is my family eligible for?
Eligibility for the different funded early education and childcare schemes normally depends on two things:
the age of your child
your working status or income
Under-twos
Families with children aged between nine months and two-years-olds aren’t currently eligible for any funded hours. However, the government has announced that:
from September 2024, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three-years-old will be able to access funding for 15 hours per week of education and care for 38 weeks of the year.
from September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three-years-old will be able to access funding for 30 hours per week of education and care for 38 weeks of the year.
See ‘What does the government mean by ‘eligible working families?’ below for more information on who counts as a ‘working family’.
The government has confirmed that the 30 hours offer will now start from the moment maternity or paternity leave ends. A spokesperson said: "We are working through implications of a policy that starts the term following the end of statutory maternity leave, and we will provide further details on how the expansion of the entitlements will be delivered in due course."
There are currently no plans to provide funded places for children aged under nine months.
Two-year-olds
Families with children aged two are currently eligible for 15 hours per week of funded care and education (for 38 weeks of the year) if they receive any of the following benefits:
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
A child may also be eligible if they:
are looked after by a local authority
have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
get Disability Living Allowance
have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
In addition, the government has announced that:
from April 2024, all eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access funding for 15 hours per week of education and care for 38 weeks of the year.
from September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three-years-old will able to access funding for 30 hours per week of education and care for 38 weeks of the year .
See ‘What does the government mean by ‘eligible working families?’ below for more information on who counts as a ‘working family’.
Three- and four-year-olds
Currently, all three- and four-year-olds can access 15 hours per week of funded care and education for 38 weeks of the year, regardless of the income or working status of their parent or carer. This is often described as a ‘universal offer’.
In addition, eligible working families of three- and four-year-olds can currently access 30 hours a week of funded care and education for 38 weeks of the year.
The government is not currently proposing any changes to the funded entitlements for three- and four-year-olds.
Only places taken up at approved early education and childcare providers (https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs) are eligible for government funded hours.
What does the government mean by ‘eligible working families’?
Families have to meet certain income requirements to be eligible for the current 30-hour offer for three- and four-year-olds, and the new yet-to-be-introduced offers for children aged nine months and over.
This eligibility criteria applies to each parent or carer in dual-parent households and the lone parent or carer in lone-parent households.
To be eligible, each parent or carer must:
earn more than the equivalent of 16 hours at the national living wage or minimum wage per week. This means that over the next three months, you expect to earn at least £1,976 - the National Living Wage if you are 23 or older.
There is no requirement to work a certain number of hours per week – it is all about how much you earn. This means that, for example, if you only work 10 hours a week but earn £20 per hour, you will meet the minimum earning threshold. Apprentices are also eligible as long as they earn the equivalent to 16 hours at the apprentice minimum wage.
AND
earn less than £100,000 per year. Again this applies to each parent and carer in a dual-parent household. This means that if one parent earned £101,000 and the other earned £20,000, a family would not be eligible, but if both parents earned £99,000, the family would be eligible.
These criteria apply if you are self-employed or on a zero-hours contract and expect to meet the earning criteria on average over the three months after you have applied for your funded entitlement. HMRC will look at data such as your previous earnings to consider whether you are likely to meet the criteria and may contact you for further information if they are unsure.
If you are starting up your own business, you will not be expected to meet the minimum earning criteria in your first year of trading.
If you are not working but you expect to take up paid work within 31 days, you can still apply for 30 hours, as long as you expect to meet the income criteria over the coming three months.
If you live with a partner, you both must meet the above criteria even if one of you is not the child’s parent – for example, if you have remarried or have started living with a new partner. If you are separated/divorced from your child’s parent, the eligibility rules will only apply to the parent that the child normally lives with (and their new partner if they are part of the same household).
If you are on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, you can still apply for the 30 hours. If you’re on adoption leave for a child aged three- to four-years-old, you must return to work within 31 days of the date you first apply for the 30 hours offer
What if I am sick or caring for someone?
You will not have to meet the minimum earnings criteria if:
You and your partner are employed but one or both of you is temporarily away from the workplace on parental, maternity or paternity, adoption leave, or on statutory sick pay.
You are employed but your partner either has substantial caring responsibilities, or is disabled or incapacitated, or vice versa (i.e. your partner is employed but you have caring responsibilities or are disabled or incapacitated). This is dependent on you or your partner being entitled to specific disability or caring benefits. These are: Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Limited Capability for Work Benefit or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
How do I sign up for the 30 hours?
You can apply for both the current 30-hour offer and tax-free childcare (see below for further information on the tax-free childcare scheme) via a single application on the Gov.uk website.
To complete the application, you need to provide your name, address and national insurance number, as well as whether you expect to meet the income requirements over the next three months and whether you are in receipt of any benefits.
If you live with a partner, you will need to provide the same information for them as well. This will enable HMRC to decide whether your child is eligible for the 30 hours (as well as tax-free childcare).
If you are eligible, you will be given an 11-digit code that you will need to take to your early years provider along with your national insurance number and your child’s birth certificate.
Your provider will then use the government’s eligibility checking system to check the code is valid. If it is, they will be able to book your child’s place – but bear in mind that providers don’t have to take part in the 30-hour offer, so be sure to speak to your early years provider about what they are able to offer for your family.
You will need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months and will receive a reminder text message or email from the government before the deadline.
If you give false information about your eligibility, you could be fined up to £3000.
How soon after my child’s birthday can I access these schemes?
Currently, children become eligible for funded early education and childcare the term after they reach the relevant age. For example, a child will be eligible for the 30 hours offer from the term after they turn three.
For example, if your child turns three on 25 March, your child will be eligible for a funded place from 1 April (i.e. the start of the spring term). However, if your child turns three on 5 April, then your child won’t be eligible for a funded place until 1 September.
This is also dependent on applying for, and receiving, your eligibility code before the end of the term in which your child reaches the relevant age. For example, if your child turns three on 25 March but you don’t apply for the 30 hours until 5 April, your child won’t be eligible for a funded place until 1 September (i.e. the start of the autumn term).
You can apply for the current 30 hours for three- and four-year-olds from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old, as outlined in the table below:
When your child turns 3 -
1 September to 31 December
1 January to 31 March
1 April to 31 August
When they can get 30 hours from -
Term starting on or after 1 January
Term starting on or after 1 April
Term starting on or after 1 September
Recommended time to apply -
15 October to 30 November
15 January to 28 February
15 June to 31 July
The government has yet to confirm when eligibility for the new offers for under-threes will kick in, or how soon parents can apply.
If I’m not eligible for the 30-hour offer, can I still get my 15 hours?
If your child is three or four and you don’t meet the criteria for the 30 hours, you will still be eligible for the 15-hour offer as this is universal.
If your child is two and you don’t meet the criteria for funded scheme for working families, then you will only be eligible for 15 hours if you are in receipt of certain benefits (listed above).
If your child is under two and you don’t meet the criteria for funded scheme for working families, then you will not be eligible for any funded care and education.
What happens if I become ineligible for the offer e.g. because I lose my job?
Currently, if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for funded places for working families, your child’s place will continue to be funded for a ‘grace period’. You should discuss this with your provider if and when you lose eligibility.
The table below outlines how long the grace period will last for the current three- and four-year-old offer, depending on when you become ineligible for the offer. Your early years provider can tell you how long your grace period will last. A grace period will always end at the end of a term.
Date parent's 30 hours eligibility code becomes invalid:
1 Jan — 10 Feb
11 Feb — 31 March
1 April — 26 May
27 May — 31 August
1 September — 21 October
22 October — 31 December
LA audit date:
11 February
1 April
27 May
1 September
22 October
1 January
Grace Period end date:
31 March
31 August
31 August
31 December
31 December
31 March
Once the grace period has expired, you will still be eligible for the 15-hour funded offer if you have a three- or- four-year-old as the 15-hour offer for children of this age is universal. If you have been taking up the 30 hours at two providers, you can decide which provider you want to continue taking up your 15-hour places from.
I want to access a funded place but my provider is asking for a deposit. Can they do this?
Yes. Under government rules, providers can charge a refundable deposit for funded places for two-, three- and four-year-olds. Each local council will have their own arrangements with providers for when deposits are refunded to parents and carers.
Accessing funded places: Things to know
Early years providers don’t have to offer funded places. This means that your early years provider may decide not to do so. Alternatively, they may limit the number of funded places they offer. This might be because, for example, the level of funding they receive from the government is not enough to cover the cost of delivering places, or because they do not have enough staff to deliver the extended offer.
You don’t have to take up your full entitlement of hours to receive funding. For example, if your child is eligible for the 30 hours, you might choose to only take up 25 hours.
You can split your funded entitlement between more than one provider, though no more than two sites in one day. For example, a child could attend a breakfast club and nursery setting based on one site or a maintained school and a private, voluntary and independent (PVI) provider on two different sites. However, it is important to bear in mind the impact of multiple providers on a child’s learning, development and wellbeing. If you are splitting your offer between providers, you will need to provide your eligibility code and information to each provider.
Government funding only covers 38 weeks of the year. The actual funded entitlement for the 15-hour offer is for 570 hours per year, and for the 30-hour offer, is 1140 hours per year. This means that, for the 30-hour offer, for example, if you take up your full 30 hours per week, government funding will only over this for 38 weeks of the year. However, your provider may choose to deliver a ‘stretched offer’ i.e. fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year: for example, 22 hour per week over 52 weeks or the year, or just under 24 hours per week over 48 weeks of the year. Speak to your provider about how they can offer the hours and what works best for all of you.
Providers can charge non-compulsory additional charges. Government funding is meant to cover the delivery of early education and care only. This means that early years providers are allowed to charge for additional goods, services and activities, such as lunch or trips, as long as these charges are voluntary. For example, your provider might give you the choice of paying for lunch or providing lunch yourself, though it is important to note that this is not possible at all early years settings (for example, some may not have food storage facilities).
Tax-free childcare
Tax-free childcare is a government scheme that allows all eligible parents of children under 12 – or under 17, if your child has a disability – to open an online account to pay for childcare and early education. For every £80 you pay in, the government will pay in an extra £20.
You can save up to £10,000 per year in a tax-free childcare account (£8,000 that you’ve paid in, plus £2,000 that the government has paid in) or up to £20,000 (£16,000 that you’ve paid in, plus £4000 that the government has paid in) if your child has a disability.
The eligibility criteria for tax-free childcare is broadly the same as for the 30-hour offer (see the ‘eligibility’ section above). You can only use tax-free childcare to pay registered early years providers.
It is important to note that, while you can use tax-free childcare alongside the 30-hours offer (or 15 hour offer), you can’t use it at the same time as:
Childcare vouchers
Universal Credit
Tax credits
More information is available at the government’s Childcare Choices website.
Think carefully about your options before deciding what is best for you – for example, some parents may find they benefit more from being able to use tax credits than they would if they switched to tax-free childcare – it depends on your individual circumstances as to what will be best for you and your family.
Helping Children to Think About Race
Helping Children to Think About Race
Racism can present itself in different ways in a young child’s life. A child may have direct or indirect experiences of racism, but the impact can be felt all the same.
The Anna Freud Centre have produced this booklet to:
highlight the various ways that race and racism impact children in the early years
introduce the idea of racial socialisation and how it supports child development
start to think about ways to support racial socialisation in the early years
identify some ways to facilitate your journey in supporting racial socialisation in your setting.
How to help young children think about race in the early years (annafreud.org)
Public Emergency Alerts
Launch of life-saving public emergency alerts
A new system that gives the Government and emergency services the capability to send emergency alerts has been launched. The system is designed to bolster the UK’s resilience and provides the capability to send alerts direct to mobile phones when there is a risk to life.
A UK-wide alerts test will take place in the early evening of Sunday 23 April.
Working with mobile broadcasting technology, the Emergency Alerts system will transform the UK’s warning and informing capability, providing a means to get urgent messages quickly to nearly 90 percent of mobile phones in a defined area.
The alerts will only ever come from the Government or emergency services, and warnings issued will issue a warning, always include the details of the area impacted, and provide instructions about how best to respond - linking to gov.uk/alerts where people can receive further information.
Emergency Alerts will be used very rarely - only being sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives - so people may not receive an alert for months, or even years.
Read the news story on GOV.UK
The charity Refuge has also shared advice on how people experiencing domestic abuse can manage the emergency alerts on their phone to stay safe.
Free Online Family Festival
Famly Corner have an upcoming free online family festival, Home is where the start is, celebrating the role of parents and carers as their child’s first and most enduring educator!
During this fun family event, which will take place via Zoom, Famly Corner will share information and advice about how parents and carers of under-fives can support children’s learning and development at home through lots of exciting sessions for them and their children.
Activities will include fun communication and language sessions, easy money-saving cookery ideas that you and your children can join in with, baby massage taster sessions and much, much more.
The three-day online festival will run from Thursday 16 March to Saturday 18 March 2023, and parents and carers can book to attend as many or as few free sessions as they like.
The event is completely free to all attendees ... PLUS all attendees will also be automatically entered into a prize draw to win one of five free Tonieboxes worth £79.99 each!
Families can sign up for their free sessions at bit.ly/familyfestivalEYA
Clarks Shoe Measuring & Fitting Service
As February Half term will be approaching fast we would like to share with you a kids fitting appointment poster from the service and sales manager at Clarks in Bicester Village.
They offer a full service of measuring and fitting and you can be prioritised over walk ins😊
Empowering our children to lead their learning! ❤
Today a group of children were leading their own play in the outside environment. I could see the group of children were engaged, focused, and attentive in their choice of play as they are intrinsically motivated, were following their natural curiosities, wonders, strengths, and interests.
It had been raining and a small puddle of water had formed close to the big tractor tyre and the children decided to jump off and make a splash in the puddle. Puddles have a uniquely magnetic effect on children.
Soon the puddle disappeared and so I asked the children how they could carry on splashing:
CH - we need more rain
CO - its stopped raining
DF - can you fill a bucket with water?
I said ooh I think the water butt is empty as the filling tube was not attached. To expand upon their inquiries, while also considering how to merge interests with concepts of math, language, science, and social/emotional learning, I asked the children:
"did the puddle shrink?"
BF - its disappeared
"where did the puddle go?"
"why did it evaporate?"
DF - it’s moved all in the floor
CH - it’s all gone
"Do you think you could find any water left after it rained, if so where do you think it may still be?"
DF - on the roof
CO - in the sky
CH - in the clouds
BF - here, there is some in the bottom of here (pointing to the well of the tyre)
The children used their problem solving skills to go off and find a tub and spades/spoons to help each other move the water into the tub. Once it was half full, they poured it on the floor to create a new puddle. Immediately their pace quickened and they each moved forward with clear determination. They climbed the tyre and you could see they were priming their legs for what’s to come: the double foot splash! Jumping develops balance, strength, and agility in little legs!
The puddle soon emptied again but this time they found lots of different receptacles like saucepans in the mud kitchen with little bits of rain water and added each to the big tub to allow them to take another turn!
I continued to scaffold learning by asking higher-level & open-ended questions so the children could think more critically about their play:
"What kind of jump makes the biggest splash?"
"Can you jump and all the water comes out of the puddle?
"What happens to a puddle when it’s stirred?"
There are so many possibilities for next steps such as looking at sinking and floating, measuring a puddle, critically thinking how deep do we think it could be? Can we see a reflection? is there anything living in the puddle? Reading pip and posy 'the little puddle'
I wonder what exciting play the children will lead tomorrow...
Baby self-feeding pillows
Urgent safety alert issued for baby self-feeding pillows
These self-feeding pillows have been on sale all over the internet. But they can kill small babies. That’s because the baby can’t push the bottle away, so can choke on the milk or suffer aspiration pneumonia.
After the Child Accident Prevention Trust raised concerns, the Office for Product Safety and Standards investigated and issued an urgent safety alert.
They say: “this category of product will always be dangerous due to their design and intended use, and can never be made safe”.
Parents should immediately stop using these products.
Businesses must immediately remove these products from sale.
Professor Peter Fleming, a consultant paediatrician and leading baby safety expert explains:
“The NHS has warned against prop feeding for many years, as there is a significant link between prop feeding and the risk of unexpected death, aspiration pneumonia and ear infections in babies.
“With this device, the baby cannot adjust the angle of the bottle or the rate of flow of the milk. There is a real risk that milk will get into the back of the baby’s throat and they will stop breathing. Plus, there is a risk of aspiration pneumonia, a life-threatening illness which if not recognised and treated, can kill a small baby in a few hours.”
Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust says:
“As soon as we saw this product on sale on online marketplaces, we knew it was dangerous. It encourages parents to leave their baby alone to feed with a propped-up bottle.
“Every health professional advises against prop feeding. A baby needs their parent with them while they are feeding, so the parent can react if they start gagging or choking.
“We are hugely relieved that the Office for Product Safety and Standards acted so quickly when we raised our concerns. We urge parents to stop using this product straight away and to tell their family and friends about the risks.”
Fifty Things to do before you’re 5
Suggested activities to do with your child in their early years.
Interacting with children while they are playing is an investment in their future!
Every Friday we will focus on one of the activities featured in the ‘50 Things to do before you’re 5’ app. This week it’s time to ‘Explore the cold’
Activity #12 Snow, ice and cold weather are experiences that your child can find really exciting; they need to discover our world using all their senses to properly understand it, and snow is a great opportunity for play! Wrap up warm and keep moving - they’ll have a wonderful time!
Download the app and find out more! https://oxfordshire.50thingstodo.org/
Words of Wisdom
Here are some gentle parenting words of wisdom to get us all through the festive period.
Please be kind to yourself in the whirlwind of extreme emotions and endless to do lists.
Happy Hanukkah
To all our Jewish families and friends celebrating over the coming week - have a safe & wonderful time
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Help with Rising Living Costs
Help with rising living costs
Help if you’re concerned about how to pay for everyday costs and financial support.
NOT SURE WHERE TO TURN?
If you’re not sure where to go for the support you need, speak to your local library. The team can help by pointing you in the right direction. Contact your local library to find out more.
SUPPORT FROM YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL
The district and city councils have the details of local organisations that can provide practical support and advice on money matters, housing, living costs and mental health.
There are also a number of national or countywide options to explore.
Saving you money
ACCESSING FINANCIAL SUPPORT
An estimated £15bn of benefits are believed to go unclaimed each year. Use a free benefits calculator to find out what you could be entitled to. Or contact Citizens Advice Oxfordshirefor one-to-one help to do this.
Citizens Advice can also help with planning your budgeting and debt advice if things are tough.
Through the NHS there is a range of support to help people access health services such as support with travel costs and financial support for people on low incomes. Find out more on the NHS website.
Stay fit and find ways to manage your money with local advice and support on Live Well Oxfordshire.
If you cannot pay your tax bill on time, contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as soon as possible.
The MoneyHelper service provides free, confidential and impartial help on a range of finance-related issues including benefits, savings, pensions and work.
ENERGY, WATER AND BROADBAND SAVINGS
With the Better Housing, Better Health service you’ll get practical advice on saving energy and accessing grants and financial support. This is a free service, supported by Oxfordshire County Council, which could save you money, make your living space more comfortable, reduce stress and improve your health.
If you can’t pay your energy bills now, contact your energy supplier. Further information about the help available with energy bills can be found on gov.uk.
All domestic electricity customers in Great Britain will receive a £400 reduction in their electricity costs from October 2022 through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. There will be no requirement to pay it back. Households will not need to apply for the scheme and, in most cases, the government expects electricity suppliers to apply the reduction automatically to bills from October 2022.
There is a range of support available nationally, find out more about it on the government’s website.
Some broadband providers offer cheaper packages for those who receive certain government benefits. These are known as social tariffs. Ofcom has a list of broadband providers who offer these packages. You should always check with your existing provider before starting any new contracts to make sure there are no charges for stopping your existing contract.
Many water companies run hardship schemes or fund independent charitable trusts which can help you pay your bills.
DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS
Find out what offers are available from grocery, entertainment, retail, health, travel and other businesses to help with the cost of living on the gov.uk website.
SUPPORTING YOUR FAMILY
FREE SCHOOL MEAL EQUIVALENT SUPPORT AHEAD OF SCHOOL HOLIDAY PERIODS
Oxfordshire County Council continues to provide funding to schools and colleges to put in place free school meal equivalent arrangements around holiday periods, using specific government funds available for this purpose. This discretionary scheme is currently funded at the rate of £15 per holiday week per eligible child or young person and typically comes in the form of a supermarket voucher or digital equivalent. Those eligible are those lower income families also eligible for means-tested free school meals. The scheme is administered through schools and colleges directly and support is issued ahead of school holidays. Parents and carers who believe they have missed a payment should contact their child’s school or college.
EARLY YEARS SUPPORT
This winter for children not of school age, rather than support ahead of each holiday periods, a single one-off support offer is being made to the families of eligible children through participating early years providers. Participating providers will issue a one-off support voucher of £60 per eligible child (equivalent to the support made available to children and young people in schools over the period). In early years, eligible children are those in receipt of two-year-old funded places or those three and four-year-old children who attract Early Years Pupil Premium. Parents and carers should approach their child’s setting with any queries. Early Years settings are not obliged to make this payment and we are grateful to all those who are able to do so for providing support to some of Oxfordshire’s most in-need children.
CHILDCARE SUPPORT
You could be eligible for support with free childcare. Certain criteria apply, so find out if you are eligible for 3 to 4-year-old and 2-year-old support.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, you will also be able to get equivalent support during the school holidays. Activities and events will be available for 4 to 11-year-olds during the Christmas holidays. Your school or early years setting should be in touch directly but if not, please contact them.
ACCESSING FOOD SUPPORT
If you're at least ten weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old, you might be able to get free vitamins and Healthy Start vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk.
The Oxfordshire food access map allows you to search for community food services such as food banks, community larders, and food projects.
Most food banks need a referral to access them - this can come from many groups - a doctor, housing association, local council, charity, the council.
Larders and fridges do not work on a referral basis and give either low-cost or free food which otherwise would go to waste.
KEEPING YOU WARM AND SAFE
You may be eligible for a fully funded energy efficiency update to your home. Check if you’re eligible to apply.
You’ll get a warm welcome in our libraries. Everyone is welcome – and you’ll have access to the internet and computers as well as our wide range of books and audio books.
There are grants and schemes available designed to help you make essential repairs and improve the comfort, safety and security of your home.
Warm spaces are open this winter to provide free and low-cost places to get together and get support.
Oxford's network of warm spaces can be found on its website https://www.oxford.gov.uk/warmspaces
The national Warm Welcome Network lists a wider network of organisations that have opened up free, warm spaces across Oxfordshire.
SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS IN OXFORDSHIRE
If you need to talk to someone on any topic regarding your mental health, there are local organisations that can help:
Oxfordshire Safe Haven for you if you are over 18 and living in Oxfordshire.
Connection Support is a local charity that provides flexible and tailored support and advice to adults and families.
The Mind Guide – a mental health services directory in Oxfordshire.
The Youth in Mind Guide – information on young people's mental health services in Oxfordshire.
Citizens Advice – access free, confidential advice on money matters, housing, employment and consumer rights.
The government’s Help for Households website provides information on a range of support.
Scarlet Fever / Group A Streptococcus
Dear parents, further to my recent post regarding, common colds, D&V bug, viral rashes, chicken pox, hand foot and mouth etc please do read this below as we have children within early years with scarlet fever:
Fact sheet for schools and parents about Group A Streptococcus (GAS)/Scarlet Fever.
What is Group A Streptococcus?
Group A Streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium that can be found in the throat and on the skin. People may carry it and have no symptoms of illness or may develop infection.
How is it spread?
Group A Streptococcus survives in throats and on skin for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing and skin contact. People who are currently carrying the bacteria in the throat or on the skin may have symptoms of illness or they may have no symptoms and feel fine. In both cases, these bacteria can be passed on to others.
What kinds of illnesses are caused by Group A Streptococcus?
Most Group A Streptococcus illnesses are relatively mild, with symptoms including a sore throat ("strep throat"), scarlet fever or a skin infection such as impetigo. However, on rare occasions, these bacteria can cause other severe and sometimes life-threatening diseases.
Although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, it should be treated with antibiotics to minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others.
The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. This is followed by a fine red rash which typically first appears on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On more darkly-pigmented skin, the scarlet rash may be harder to spot, but it will still feel like 'sandpaper'. The face can be flushed red but pale around the mouth.
Children who have had chickenpox or influenza (‘flu) recently are more likely to develop more serious infection during an outbreak of scarlet fever and so parents should remain vigilant for symptoms such as a persistent high fever, cellulitis (skin infection) and arthritis (joint pain and swelling). If you are concerned for any reason please seek medical assistance immediately.
What is invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) disease?
Although rare, invasive Group A Streptococcus disease may occur when bacteria get into parts of the body where bacteria are not usually found. These infections are called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease and can be very serious and even life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of invasive Group A Streptococcal disease?
The most important thing to be aware of are the early signs and symptoms of invasive Group A Streptococcal disease. These are:
• High Fever
• Severe muscle aches
• Localised muscle tenderness
• Redness at the site of a wound
What should I do if my child becomes unwell?
If your child becomes unwell contact your GP practice. Alternatively, you can call NHS111 and you should also call NHS111 if your surgery is closed.
If my child is unwell, should they stay off school?
If your child becomes unwell with these symptoms you should contact your GP practice or call NHS111 (which operates a 24/7 service) to seek advice. If your child is unwell they should stay off school until they are better.
What else can I do to prevent my child from becoming unwell?
Because Group A Streptococcal disease is spread through coughing, sneezing and skin contact, its’s important to have good hand hygiene and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues and throw these away.
If your child is unwell, if child needs calpol please do not attend cygnets for 24 to 48 hours. We will be sending poorly children home for 48 hours not as we do not want to take any unnecessary risks x
This will all help limit the spread of other infections, which are common this time of year.
Christmas Fundraiser
Cygnets Christmas Fundraising Evening - Save the Date - Wednesday 14th December 2022, Pop by between 4:30pm-6:30pm
You will be able to book a slot to meet and greet Father Christmas himself in our Cygnets Christmas grotto and grab a selfie, a small charge will occur to cover a gift and overheads.
Other activities will include festive biscuit and cake decorating, craft area, face painting, carol singing, Christmas tunes and a look around the classroom to see all your children’s work.
As its a fundraiser we will be selling luxury hot chocolate, mulled wine, cakes and bakes and warm pigs in blanket rolls and festive balloons.
Children in Need
Cygnets is going spotty for Children in Need!
Children can come dressed in spots to support and if you would like to make a donation, you can too. Children can also wear their favourite dressing up costume or come in their usual clothes if they want to x
Happy Diwali
Diwali is celebrated as a five-day New Year festival; it symbolises the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and new beginnings. Houses are lit by Divas – small clay pots containing a little oil and a wick (a tea light can replace the oil) – and Rangoli patterns are made outside front doors, together with footprints to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune and wealth, into every home.
Buildings and streets are decorated with lights, and there are firework displays. Homes are cleaned, new clothes worn and cards and gifts, such as sweets (mithai) and dried fruit, are exchanged.
One of the most famous legends associated with Diwali tells the story of how Prince Rama returned from exile with his wife, Sita, to his kingdom, after overcoming the 10-headed demon Ravana with the help of Hanuman, the monkey god, and his army of monkeys. People were so delighted that they lit the couple’s return with rows of lights.
We have talked about what children and their families plan to do in celebration, including any special roles the children may have, such as making Rangoli patterns or helping to make coconut burfi sweets to offer to visitors and to give as gifts.
We have also talked about how we can be kind to one another, and to make other people and ourselves happy.
Better Health Start for Life / DfE’s new campaign
Better Health Start for Life and the Department for Education have today launched a new campaign to encourage parents and carers to chat, play and read more with their children to develop their communication, language and literacy skills before starting school.
