Healthy Eating
At Ladybird Preschool Limited all children are provided with a fresh drink of milk or water and snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Our snacks are nutritious and help form part of a healthy eating lifestyle. We also use snack time as an opportunity to talk to the children, teaching children to take their turn, letting the children ‘have a go’ such as pouring their own drink and tidying plates away and teaching the children ‘table manners’.
Water is available at all times in water dispensers and by the children asking a member of staff. Children are encouraged to drink plenty of water, this is especially important during hot weather. A choice of water or milk is provided during mid-morning and afternoon snack. Water is also provided to all during lunch.
For More information, these websites are full of information, meal plans and ideas. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/
Oral Health
At Ladybird Preschool Limited within both settings we talk to the children about the importance of eating healthily and brushing their teeth. We support this with activities within the sessions for the children, we send out an oral health information sheet in the child's starter pack and we continuously practice healthy eating throughout both settings.
Children should be taken to the Dentist from 6 months old (Dental Check by 1) and maintain regular appointments (every 6 months) - Community Dental Service.
By the age of 3 most children will have their 20 primary teeth.
Dental neglect can be defined as the persistent failure to meet a child's basic oral health needs, likely to result in serious impairment of a child's oral or general health or development. - British Society of Paediatric Dentistry 2009 Policy Guidelines.
The impact of poor oral health in children include
- Pain, discomfort, sleepless nights, swellings, infections.
- Limitation in speaking and eating
- Low self-esteem, low confidence.
- Time off school.
- Treatment needed under general anaesthetic.
- Stress- negative association on future dentist visit.
Top tips for brushing teeth.
- Children under 8 should be supervised.
- Brush last thing at night before bedtime and at least one other time during the day.
- Use a small headed, soft bristled toothbrush.
- Replace toothbrush once bristles become splayed or every 2/3 months.
- Children do not need mouthwashes.
- Toothbrush to be used at a 45 degree angle.
- Brush every surface of every tooth.
- Use circular motions with a gentle scrubbing action on teeth and gums.
- Technique is important rather than time for young children. Build up to 2 mins by 4/5 years.
Bottles, cups, dummies and thumb sucking.
- From 6 months a free-flow cup should be introduced.
- Aim to eliminate the bottle by one year of age.
- Dummies and thumb sucking; limit use, reward for not using/doing.
For more information follow the link below for the Community Dental Services website
https://communitydentalservices.co.uk/
