Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mrs Carnall is our Wellbeing Lead
If you have any questions or would like any more information about Health and Wellbeing in our curriculum, please contact Mrs Carnall on Class Dojo or on: scarnall@alvastoni.derby.sch.uk
At Alvaston Infant and Nursery School, we strongly believe that children are unable to learn effectively and truly flourish if both their mental well-being and physical needs are not met. We are committed to ensuring that all of our children are educated through our curriculum and provision so that they are able to make positive choices themselves regarding leading a healthy life-style. As educators, we also strongly believe that it is our duty to educate our children so they recognise where they can go to seek help, or use taught strategies themselves to keep healthy and ‘balanced’ minds and bodies. Through a whole host of teaching and learning opportunities, including, our PSHE, science and Physical Education Curriculums, our Forest School provision, assemblies and focussed whole school activity days and weeks, we strategically plan and deliver a curriculum which promotes ‘healthy living’ so our children recognise how they can contribute towards keeping themselves healthy and happy for life.
The government’s ‘Better Health Campaign’ is an up-to-date initiative to encourage people to live healthier lifestyles and to combat obesity. More information can be found, using the following link: www.nhs.uk/BetterHealth. This government strategy is aimed at tackling obesity, which is one of the greatest long-term health challenges this country faces. As a country, we have 1 in 3 children leaving primary school who are already overweight or living with obesity. Obesity is associated with reduced life expectancy and it is a risk factor for a range of chronic diseases.
There are many ways in which you can help to support your child and family to lead healthier and more active life-styles and there are a wide range of organisations and on-line platforms to seek further information:
If you are concerned about your child’s mental health and wellbeing, please complete the referral questionnaire and return a copy to school as soon as you can. Someone will be in touch to help. We also have copies in school if you would like a printed version.
Derbyshire Healthcare
Click here to visit the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Website. It is packed full of support services, toolkits and information about how to get medical help for you and your family.
Physical Activity
Physical activity contributes to the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of all children and young people within the school and its community. The links between health, physical activity and wellbeing are well established. Physical activity guidelines for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years state that:
1. All children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day.
2. Vigorous intensity activities, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, should be incorporated at least three days a week.
3. All children and young people should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.
As a school, we value the importance of physical activity and all of our children receive the full Physical Education Curriculum entitlement. Right from the Early Years, a range of activities and opportunities are planned and delivered so that the children can develop control and coordination skills and participate in more ‘vigorous’ and intense physical activity to improve fitness levels. Our children regularly take part in the ‘Daily Mile’, use the outdoor play equipment and extensive outdoor facilities to develop gross motor skills and coordination and, through play-based activities, become fitter and healthier young people. Our extensive extra-curricular programme also supports this aim and the children are able to participate in a wide range of activities, provided by both internal staff and external agencies, such as a Football Club, ‘Wheels’ Club, Dance and Cheerleading Clubs and ‘Yoga Bugs’ to name a small sample. If you would like more information on healthy living, click on the Change 4 Life logo.
Food and Nutrition
All of our children, from Reception to Year 2, are entitled to Free School Meals. Miss Allen, our Headteacher, works closely with our catering firm and kitchen staff to ensure that the meals provided for the children are healthy, nutritious and ‘balanced’. As part of our PSHE, science and Design and Technology Curriculums, the children are also taught about healthy eating and making the ‘right’ choices so that they are educated both now and for the future. We have a school Cookery Club, which runs as part of our extra-curricular provision, and the children are encouraged to design, make and evaluate healthy snacks. If you would like further information regarding food and nutrition, please see the following links:
Dental Hygiene
Our children learn about good dental hygiene right from our Nursery Classes, where the children are given their own toothbrush and toothpaste and taught how to brush their teeth properly. Further guidance can be found in the NHS guidance below. As part of our science and PSHE Curriculum, the children also learn about the importance of looking after their teeth and maintaining good dental hygiene. We further reinforce this, through inviting dental practitioners into school to talk to the children and demonstrate how to brush their teeth properly.
From brushing your child’s first tooth, to organising their very first trip to the dentist, if you would like any information regarding dental hygiene, please follow the links below:
Click to view the healthy teeth resources on the Public Health England Website
If you would like any further information or support about your child’s health or well-being, please do not hesitate in contacting your child’s Class Teacher or our Healthy School Leads, Miss Hames and Miss Sheldrick, who would be happy to support you further.
How to take care of yourself and others
Stay Connected
Stay calm
How to deal with stressful situations at home
Contact Helplines and resources
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger service: Save our Messenger number on your phone. Text YM to 85258 for free 24/7 mental health support if you are having a crisis.
Emergency services (999): If you or someone you live with is seriously injured, call 999.
www.childline.org.uk: If you're under 19 you can confidentially call, email or chat online about any problem big or small freephone 24/7 helpline: 0800 1111Sign up for a childline account on the website to be able to message a counsellor anytime without using your email address chat 1:1 with an online advisor
www.samaritans.org: If you're in distress and need support, you can ring Samaritans for free at any time of the day or night. freephone (UK and RI): 116 123 (24 hours) or email: jo@samaritans.org
www.themix.org.uk: If you're under 25 you can talk to The Mix for free on the phone, by email or on their webchat. You can also use their phone counselling service, or get more information on support services you might need. Freephone: 0808 808 4994 (1pm - 11pm)
www.womensaid.org.uk: If you think you may be experiencing domestic abuse and you identify as a woman, you can talk to Women's Aid for free and confidential support email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk. You can also chat to a support worker using their free instant messenger service, Mon-Fri (10am-12pm)
www.citizensadvice.org.uk: If you have money or work worries, Citizen's Advice can help freephone: 03444 111 444 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or text service: 03444 111 445. You can talk to a debt adviser online for free Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm. For advice on anything else, you can chat to an adviser online for free Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.
Ten tips from the Young Minds Helpline >
Try not to shield your child from the news, as it’s likely they will find out somehow from school, being online or from friends.
Talk to your child about what is going on. you could start by asking them what they have heard.
Try to answer their questions and reassure them in an age appropriate manner. You do not need to know all the answers, but talking can help them feel calm.
Reassure your child that it is unlikely they will get seriously ill, and if they do you feel ill you will look after them. Your child might be concerned about who will look after you if you catch the virus. Let them know the kind of support you have as an adult so that they don’t feel they need to worry about you.
Give some practical tips to your child about how they can look after themselves. For example, show them how to wash their hands properly, and remind them when they should be doing it.
Keep as many regular routines as possible, so that your child feels safe and stable.
Spend time doing a positive activity with your child (e.g. reading, playing, painting, cooking) to help reassure them and reduce their anxiety. This is also a great way of providing a space for them to talk through their concerns, without having a ‘big chat’. For activities ideas, visit our starting a conversation with your child guide.
Encourage your child to think about the things they can do to make them feel safer and less worried.
Be aware that your child may want more close contact with you at this time and feel anxious about separation. Try to provide this support whenever possible.
Remember to look after yourself too. If you yourself are feeling worried, or anxious about Coronavirus, talk to someone you trust who can listen and support you.
A research network, aiming to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems experienced by children and young people. See some useful links below.
Young Minds exist to support children and their familes with mental health problems.
They offer resources and guidance, empowering young minds to become strong and resilient. At this difficult and stressful time, Young Minds have created ‘Ten Tips’ for Parent and a helpline, so that you can talk to your child about the Coronavirus and support them with any questions they may have…
For more information CLICK HERE to visit the YOUNG MINDS WEBSITE.
