Children learn best when they are nurtured. Here at Hartford Infant and Preschool, we believe that we ‘bring out the best’ in the children by supporting them not only academically but also with their wellbeing. Please click here to read our Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy for all chidlren and staff within school.
We help children settle into their new class from their very first day. This includes a transition package that begins for those children entering our reception classes during the term before they start school. [Please see the transition pages for key events and dates]. Those children that start with us mid-year, will be provided with a buddy within their class to support them as they settle into the new school routines. At the start of each new school year the class teacher will meet with you to discuss your child. We believe that you are the first educators of your children and know them the best. Children’s needs change overtime so we want to ensure that we know your child well.
From time to time a child may need a reasonable adjustment made to support within the school day. We welcome parents and carers to discuss any worries or concerns with us and together we aim to create a solution to support a child’s daily routine within the confinements of a mainstream school. Please contact us via the school office.
We have a Nurture Room caled 'The Nest' for children whom the school has identified as needing extra support with their social, emotional and mental health [SEMH]. Children are offered a bespoke package when attending this group based on staff observations, assessments and communication with parents/carers. For more information click here.
Each child has a Forest School session in the afternoon on a weekly basis, although much of the content is cross curricular the overarching themes in Forest School are of developing confidence, resilience, independence and creativeness [see our Forest School page].
We offer each child a free portion of bagel everyday, courtesy of the National School Breakfast Programme Your child will also have a piece of fresh fruit each day provided by the DfE and we always encourage the children to eat this and to drink fresh water from their water bottles.
At lunchtime, all children who are under the age of seven are entitled to a Universal Free School Meal. Our healthy meals are cooked on site and provided by Hertfordshire Catering Limited [see our School Lunches page]. All children are encouraged to order and eat a hot meal daily. Our Mid-Day Supervisors are supportive and nurturing in their approach to ensure that lunchtimes are a positive experience for all children. We often run a lunchtime group for those children who need a little extra support to ensure this period in the day is more structured.
Each year, our PE Subject Lead organises a Healthy Week which includes sports day and a range of activities that support children’s physical and mental wellbeing. There are often yoga sessions, and ample opportunities to talk and discuss emotions. We share strategies with the children on how to cope with our range of emotions. This includes the use of our Conflict Resolution Script. [see our Behaviour Policy for more information].
Each half term we celebrate the children’s extra-curricular activities outside of school through our Healthy Selfie assembly and board. The children are invited to bring in their medal, certificates or pictures of themselves engaging with all activities that support their wellbeing both physically and mentally.
Many of our extra-curricular clubs focus on calm activities such as tiddlywinks, yoga, sewing and Lego all of which we believe are helpful in children’s happiness.
Finally, there is nothing more important than your child’s safety. Our child protection policies and procedures underpin our practice. We are constantly reflecting on what we could do better, always making sure that the wellbeing and protection of our young children is integral to what we do here.
Should you want any support or just want a general chat about your child, please do not hesitate to contact your class teacher in the first instance. Following this meeting our SENDCo (Mrs McGregor) is also availiable for further support.
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Young Minds Parents Helpline (9.30 to 4.00pm, Mon- Fri) We offer free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25. |
Beat email: fyp@b-eat.co.uk |
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FRANK 24 hours a day SMS: 82111 - Need a quick answer? Text a question and FRANK will text you back. |
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call) Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face. |
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Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (9.30am - 4pm Monday to Friday) Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England and Northern Ireland. |
Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm-10:30pm) www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.
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0800 1111 ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything - no problem is too big or too small. |
Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. Elefriends is run by Mind. If you're a carer needing support you can contact all of the above as well as Carers Direct and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, both of whom are able to provide support and advice on any issues affecting you. |
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Live a happier, healthier life with just a few minutes of meditation a day on the Headspace app |
XenZone is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people, and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use. |
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A lovely colouring mindfulness app that first started off in print version. Based in science of creativity and how colouring can create a feeling of flow that is associated with a meditative state. It is beautiful, and just looking at the lovely colours made me feel happy. You can paint from pre-loaded templates or even create your own.
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The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via online, social or our free, confidential helpline.
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Most children from time to time will need to take medication due to childhood illnesses
For children receiving a short term course of prescribed medicine, parent/carers will be invited to come into school during the day to administer this treatment. Alternatively parents/carers can administer the medication just before school begins and/or as soon as possible when children leave school. School staff will not administer short term prescribed medication.
For children with long-term medical needs the school will meet with the parent/carers, health professionals and, where appropriate, other agencies before the child begins school. Parent/carers will complete a request for the school to administer medication. The Headteacher will then complete a form giving agreement for the medication to be administered. The school will not give medicine to any child unless the parent/carers complete the form and the Headteacher has agreed that school staff can administer the medication.
All medication must be in a container clearly labelled with the child’s name, date of birth and medication name.
The school will not dispose of medicines; parent/carers will be asked to do so. Medication will be sent home at the end of each school year and not stored in school.
Where manufacturers’ instructions require that medication is stored in a temperature controlled environment this will be stored in the school’s refrigerator.
Parent/carers must not send any medicines, including those bought over the counter e.g. lip salves or cough sweets, into school.
The school records details each and every time a child takes medication during the school day, and restricts the number of people permitted to administer/supervise the process. All medication is locked securely away in the school office.
Please read our Adminstering Medicine Policy here
When the weather is warm, parent/carers are asked to put long lasting sun cream on to children before they come to school. Sun cream must not be sent into school. In exceptional circumstances eg medical reasons, the school will make alternative arrangements.
From time to time children may need to use a lip salve or a cream on their skin due to weather, frequent washing or an allergy. All salves and creams/lotions must be left in the school office, and a medical form [click here] completed and signed by both the parent and the Headteacher.
Hartford Infant and Preschool
Mayfield Crescent, Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire, PE29 1UL
Tel: 01480 398046
Email: office@hartfordinfantschool.org
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