Healthy Smart Start Award

Little Hands Childcare has recently participated on a program of training to gain a Healthy Start Smart Award. Two staff members were chosen to participate in training to gain this award which was completed in January 2019.Both staff members are now currently building a portfolio that needs to be completed to achieve this award.

The following is some information on the benefits of the training and the award.

The preschool has started implementing the Healthy Ireland Smart Start (HISS) programme since September, which is a Health Promotion Programme specifically aimed for pre-school services.

Little Hands understands that, as parents and families, you are your child’s most important and enduring educator. Children learn so much from their parents and families and they value you as their first and most important role model.

In recognition of the valuable role that the pre-school sector can play in promoting young children’s health and wellbeing and your role in the home we hope that the parents of Little Hands will engage with us in the implementation of this programme.

The HISS programme is made up of six modules:

• Health Promotion
• Emotional Wellbeing and Literacy
• Physical Activity
• Nutrition
• Oral Health
• Health and Safety

Throughout the year we have been implementing health promoting policies and practices within each element of the programme and we hope that the parents will engage with us in the process to help children develop healthy lifestyles in the service.

By May 31^st if we have fully implemented the programme within our service, there will be the opportunity for us to receive the Healthy Start Smart Award and be recognised as a Health Promoting service in our community.

Here are some examples of the various opportunities and learning that we had to offer throughout the year to help us achieve this Award.

Traffic Safety:

Fire Safety:

Physical Activities:

Oral Hygiene:              

Nutrition:

Well Being:

Health and Safety: