Healthy Foundations is an accreditation scheme for ensuring healthy early years settings. It has been developed as a result of the success and impact of the Rotherham healthy Schools scheme and aims to provide the necessary continuity and progression in the promotion of health and learning from birth to leaving school.
Healthy Foundations has been developed in partnership with NHS Rotherham (NHSR), Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) Early Years Service and a group local settings and childminders. A comprehensive set of criteria have been developed through this partnership that follows the same successful principles of the healthy Schools scheme.
The Healthy Foundations scheme core standards cover health topics including healthy eating and oral health, physical development and play, emotional health and well-being and encourage settings to become healthy for children, families and staff. In line with Every Child Matters (ECM): Change for Children (2004) vision, the scheme aims to provide a joined up system of health and family support so that children get the best possible start in life.
For a setting to achieve Healthy Foundations status attendance at all workshop and development sessions is compulsory. The sessions will be held monthly and will be facilitated by a representative from NHSR and supported by a lead teacher/childcare officer from RMBC. The content of the sessions are intended to support the seven themes of the Healthy Foundations scheme outlined within the toolkit.
It is envisaged that where a setting have previously undertaken training in a specific area e.g. breastfeeding. However, attendance at the Healthy Foundations workshop will enhance and support previous learning and participants will be able to share their experiences of ‘outstanding practice’ with other settings.
Designated Lead
For each setting there will be a designated lead individual who will be the nominated first point of contact for the setting. This person will be identified on the ‘commitment form’ which is completed when the setting signs to participate in the scheme.
It is not necessary that this individual attends all of the workshop and development sessions but another nominated individual may attend in addition to or in this person absence. Assessors will however be looking for evidence that the learning is being disseminated to other staff members within the setting and this learning is evident within the setting.
Workshop and Development Sessions
28th February 2011
6.30 – 8.30
Oak House NHS Rotherham – Oral Heath Promotion (including weaning)
29th March2011
6.30-8.30
Oak House NHS Rotherham – Physical development & play & Tool Kit support
Presentations, Information and Handouts
14th September 2010
“Thrive draws on the latest findings of neuroscience, attachment theory, child development and research into the role of creativity and play in developing emotional resilience. This tried and tested approach helps staff in schools and parents to understand what is going on and what can be done differently to re-engage children with learning and improve wellbeing.”
“Thrive is a dynamic developmental approach to working with vulnerable and challenging children whose behaviour interrupts their own and other’s learning. Parents, teachers and other childcare professionals are trained to identify the emotional needs that underlie troubling behaviours and are given simple practical strategies to address them.”
19th October 2010
23rd November 2010
24th January 2011
Accreditation Support Drop-in Sessions
- Tuesday 15th February 2011 from 3pm – 8*pm
- Wednesday 9th March 2011 from 3pm – 8*pm
* Please note: if you would like to attend a support session slot after 5.30pm please ensure that you book in advanced by emailing anna.jones@rotherham.nhs.uk or telephone booking 01709 302178,
Last reviewed: 25/01/2011
