Child Health, Attachment, and Wellbeing

Cooler weather means more layers of clothing, for us and children. The cooler weather also comes hand in hand with more wet weather, and in the interests of minimising the spread of winter ills and chills, here’s some practical advice around keeping everyone warm and dry, as well as how to keep track of the extra clothing-particularly things like socks and hats which are easily removed by tamariki and can end up being found in the most unexpected of places around the environment!

Picky eaters? Some children may display anxiety and unhealthy eating habits when they begin early childhood education, others may display behaviours at different times that you are wondering if these are normal, and what to say, do and change.  

This article covers:

The adult’s role in providing for children’s food preferences and eating b

This article provides an easy-to-read discussion about  primary caregiving in early childhood centres.  It covers some common questions and concerns relating to a primary caregiving system.

The main reason why early childhood services go for this particular organisational model of staffing is they are concerned for

Te Whāriki states that infants in particular should experience “unhurried and calm caregiving practices for feeding, sleeping and nappy changing.”

So despite the barriers for some early childhood services such as large numbers of children and poor adult-child ratios, if you can implement a system of primary caregiving it is a very effectiv

Giving Medicine to Children Who Attend ECE and Painkillers such as Paracetamol.

Pressure from parents and confusion over administering painkillers such as Panadol, Pamol and Ibuprofen could be putting the health of children in early childhood education services at risk.

Reports from teachers and carers show conflicting views and interpretat

Coughs and Colds – Administration of Medicine and Communication with Parents about Best / Safe Practices.

Health authorities warn against the use of cough and cold medicines for children under the age of 6 years- except for those containing only bromhexine or intra-nasal decongestants (such as oxymetazoline and xylometazoline) and the

Practical and best sun protection measures for babies, toddlers and young children in home-based and centres.

Always use sun protection measures during peak UVR times between September and April, especially between 10am and 4pm (or Terms 1 & 4 in early childhood services).

During the winter months and outside of these hours sunhats and ot

Supporting Parent-Child Attachment.

A strong attachment with an adult is as essential to a child as air, food and water.  Healthy child development is unlikely without it. 

The Ministry of Health reports that mental health and behavioural problems are rising across all socio-economic groups.  

What effect could stronger pa

Children get head lice. It’s one of those things that is a case of when and not if. 

It pays to know

how to tell if a child has head lice and how to spot eggs how to carry out effective and safe treatment for very young children, andhow to talk with children’s parents and other families who may have come in contact or been infected

Mums Expressing Breastmilk in ECE. By Dr Sarah Alexander.

Early childhood services can be places that support breastfeeding, and the attitude of staff and teachers and what they do makes a big difference as to whether a mother continues with breastfeeding.

Often there is not time enough time to discuss questions such what to do if anothe

As professionals, teachers are often presented with situations that require them to consider what is important to the families of the children they are teaching, while ensuring that they are working in an environment where they are comfortable and where their training and experience is valued and appreciated.

In deciding how to approach the reus

Earthquake Drills and the Turtle Drop – Reflections and Discussion about what is Best Practice. By Warwick Marshall 

A big earthquake shakes while you’re in the kitchen at your house.  What do you do? 

Of course you throw yourself to the floor and drop like a turtle. Yeah right!  Adults are known to wait to see if an earthquake

Nose bleeds in young children are commonly caused by knocks, nose-picking, and objects being inserted into the nose. 

If the nose bleed is caused by an injury, always check with a doctor as the child’s nose could be broken.

Quite often though, a nose bleed may just happen for no apparent reason – the blood just starts to d

When there is a major earthquake or a devastating natural disaster, the effects on children may continue into adolescence, adulthood and old age. 

Research on children experiencing natural disasters and parental separation provides helpful information and guidance on what might help to minimise the chances of long-term negative effects an

Children’s Immunisation and ECE.  

One of the key international measures of a healthy population is a country’s percentage of children fully immunised against diseases.

The higher the immunisation rate, the more successful NZ is seen to be in protecting young children’s health.  However, there are things you need to know and issues

Diseases and Conditions Requiring Exclusion of Children and Adults from Coming In Contact with Any Other Person at the ECE Service.

Below is a list of the diseases and conditions likely to be passed on to children and to have a detrimental effect on them.  When a child or adult has one of these diseases or conditions the early childhood s

In the event of the death of a child or person known at your service, the impact will be extensive on children, yourself, members of your team and your community.

You should be open and honest with your service leader and discuss the option of seeking professional help and support for yourself, in order to be able to adequately support children