Useful Information Page - Dawn until Dusk

Parent Information

We thought it may be helpful to put together an information page where parents could find advice and information on everyday issues that may arise.

On this page we have put links to helpful websites that answer questions about Head lice and Bed wetting. We have also put links for local help centers for help with emotional wellbeing.

You will also be able to find links to leaflets and websites which contain information to help keep your children safe online and when out and about on their own.

We hope you find this information useful. If you feel there is anything that would be helpful to add on to this page please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Contact telephone number for Oftsed, if you want to speak to Ofsted about anything regarding your children’s childcare you can call them on 03001231231

50 things to do before you’re 5

Bring learning to life: 50 things to do before you’re five

Parents and carers of under-fives in Bedfordshire can access 50 low and no-cost local activities via the free ’50 things to do before you’re five’ app. With information, guidance and supporting resources, each activity has been designed to help promote early language development.

Build a memory bank of your child’s special moments – splash in puddles (#29 Pitter Patter), collect fallen leaves (#34 Woodland Wondering), or capture their imaginations with fancy dress (#15 Dressing Up). There are plenty of fun and exciting activities to choose from.

This initiative is part of Bedfordshire’s school readiness agenda, aimed at supporting families and nurseries, to enable children to have all the ‘ingredients’ they need from birth to develop their early language skills.

Find out more: https://bedfordshire.50thingstodo.org or www.facebook.com/50TTDBedfordshire

Tips and advice for teeth brushing with children

Tooth brushing basics

Do not overload your child’s toothbrush with toothpaste; you only need enough to cover the teeth.

Use toothpaste with fluoride. Children aged 3 – 6 years should have 1,350 – 1,500 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride. You will find this number on the tube of your toothpaste near to the ingredients.

Try and choose a toothbrush with a small head so it can get to the hard to reach parts at the back of the mouth.

Brush for two minutes. You could use a timer or for the length of a song on the radio!

The aim of brushing is to remove the plaque (this is the bacteria that forms on the gum line). You should brush away from the gum line in circular motions.

Do not let children walk around with the toothbrush in their mouths. If they fall they could really injure themselves. It is important that an adult brushes the child’s teeth if they are under 3 and supervises under the age of 7.

Spit, don’t rinse! Get your child to spit out the toothpaste residue and to not rinse the mouth out after with a handful of water as this will wash away all that fluoride that has just been applied. If your child’s mouth still feels ‘gritty’ then run the toothbrush under the tap and go in and around the mouth and spit again.

…And remember, smile!

Food Safety and advice on choking

The Food Standards Agency have issued some useful resources as a helpful reminder of how to minimise the risk of choking. We have also found some websites that parents and carers may find useful when thinking about food safety.

https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/safe-weaning/choking/

https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/safeguarding-and-welfare/food-safety

Helpful Tips and Advice

Bedwetting advice

Bedwetting is common in young children but gets less common as they get older. Bedwetting is only really a problem if it starts to bother the children or parents. For help and advice you can visit the websites below. We have also downloaded this leaflet from eric.org.uk which you may find useful.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bedwetting/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.eric.org.uk/InformationZone/Leafletsandresources

Potty Training

Most parents start to think about potty training when their children are between 2 and 2 and a half, but there is no perfect time and each child is different. It can be a difficult skill to learn. We have downloaded this leaflet from eric.org.uk which you may find useful. You could also try visiting the sites below for more advice.

http://www.eric.org.uk/PottyTraining/potty_training

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/potty-training-tips.aspx

Sleep tips

Irregular sleeping habits can be difficult to deal with. Children between 4-8years need on average about 11hours sleep per night. A regular routine can be the key for a healthy nights sleep. For more tips such as removing screens for bedrooms, relaxation techniques and starting a sleep diary visit the pages below which may help.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Childrenssleep/Pages/bedtimeritual.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/getting-baby-to-sleep.aspx

Fussy Eaters

Its natural for parents to worry if their children start to lose interest in food. Most children do grow out of this stage but if you are worried and would like some advice have a look at the websites we found below.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/fussy-eaters.aspx

http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/medical-information/general-health-advice/food-and-diet/fussy-eaters

Head Lice

Some useful websites for the treatment of head lice are below.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Head-lice/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html

Threadworms

Threadworms are very common amongst school aged children. They can cause itching and discomfort. For help and advice about threadworms click on the following links.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Threadworms/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.mumsnet.com/how-to/threadworms-treatment

Sepsis

Symptoms and advice about sepsis.

Firework and Bonfire Safety

For helpful tips and advice on firework and bonfire safety please head to

https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety/?mc_cid=4117809a36&mc_eid=19611990f7

dawn-until-dusk-before-and-after-school-e-safety

We all want the best for our children and to keep them safe and happy. Below are a list of websites and companies where you will find information and tips on online safety, road safety and much more.

E-Safety This is an excellent poster that offers plenty of advice and information about keeping your child safe online. Different languages can be found using the website link below.

http://www.childnet.com/resources/supporting-young-people-online

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service

www.chums.uk.com

NSPCC Underwear Rule preventing abuse and keeping children safe

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/

Dealing with behaviour problems

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/dealing-with-difficult-behaviour.aspx

Domestic Abuse help and advice

https://www.gov.uk/report-domestic-abuse

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/abuse/Pages/domestic-violence-help.aspx

http://www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/

Road Safety Advice