What does the Wellbeing of children imply?

A childs social and emotional wellbeing is integral to their overall health, development and wellbeing. Children with high levels of social and emotional wellbeing are more likely to successfully negotiate physical, intellectual and social challenges during childhood and adolescence.

Physical wellbeing contributes to childrens ability to concentrate, cooperate and learn. As children become more independent, they can take greater responsibility for their health, hygiene and personal care and become mindful of their own and others’ safety.

What is mindfulness for children?

Our minds are constantly active. You might be watching television, but also thinking about the past, or worrying about something, or wondering what you are going to have for dinner.

Mindfulness is about stilling your active mind. It has been defined in several ways, including:

• giving your complete attention to the present on a moment-by-moment basis
• paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, without judgment.

It is about being more aware as you live and experience each moment, as the moment happens. It can be a useful way of calming yourself, focusing and concentrating on what you are doing.

You can be mindful of your internal world. For example, sensations, breath and emotions.

Or you can focus on what is around you. For example, sights, sounds and smells. You can be mindful anywhere and with anything. For example, you can be mindful while you are eating, walking, listening to music or sitting.

You can practice mindfulness with your little one by giving this activity a go:

TAKING NOTICE
There is so much to pay attention to all around us, all the time. From cars to birds to sirens if we step outside our doorstep we are exposed to a huge range of sounds. Sitting down and taking a few minutes to identify your surroundings will help your focus mind and body and enable you and your child to relax before moving to another activity.

Firstly, how do you explain mindfulness to a child?

You can explain it to children by saying it is a bit like looking outside in the morning to see what the weather is doing.

You see what the weather pattern is like inside you. This helps you to know what you need that day. So, if it is raining outside, you know you need an umbrella.

If you are feeling stormy inside, you ask yourself what you need – maybe you need to be on your own for a bit, or to ask for a hug or to do some exercise.

TAKE NOTICE OF…THE SKY
Take some time each day to watch the sky in the day and at night.

TAKE NOTICE OF…THE CLOUDS
When you look at the sky in the day, watch the clouds. Can you spot different patterns? Draw a picture of the clouds or imagine that you can see pictures in the different shapes.

TAKE NOTICE OF…THE MOON
Learn about the moon and its different phases. Make some time to have a look for it each night. Maybe draw a picture of what you see.

TAKE NOTICE OF…THE STARS
See if you can spot stars you recognise and give them names.

 

 

Whilst the health and safety of every child in our care has always been our absolute priority, we have implemented more stringent hygiene practices to protect our children, families and staff in light of COVID-19.

OUR DAILY PRACTICE

TEMPERATURE CHECKS
Thrive conduct daily temperature checks of every child and educator, upon arrival and various intervals through out the day. Temperatures of 37.5c or above will medical clearance before returning to the centre.

SOCIAL DISTANCING
Stay 1.5 metres away from other people whenever and wherever we can.

HAND SANITISER
All children and parents are to use the hand sanitiser upon entry and exit of the centre. Alcohol-based hand gel are used and stored safely around children.

NEW DROP OFF AND PICK UP PRACTICE
Parents are to buzz at doors for drop off and pick up for staff to attend to children. Parents are not entering our centre at present.

HAND WASHING
We are practicing good hand washing, cough and sneeze hygiene.

STAFF LUNCH BREAKS
Staff lunch breaks are staggered to minimise crowding in our staff rooms.

EXCURSIONS ON HOLD
Any planned activities outside of the service, such as excursions are temporarily on hold.

FEELING ILL? STAY HOME
Anyone (staff and children) who is sick with influenza-like symptoms, even with mild symptoms, should not attend the centre.

REGULAR CENTRE CLEANING
Thrive ELC clean twice a day throughout the centre and high touch/traffic areas 3 times/day. All toys used for the day are cleaned daily.

We have also implemented monthly ZOONO antibacterial sprays across all surfaces. The ZOONO spray eliminates the spread and formation of any bacteria. Odourless and free of harmful chemicals it protects and lasts 30 days on surfaces.

ILLNESS POLICY
If a child or staff member becomes ill while they are at the service, they should be sent home as soon as possible.
While awaiting collection by their carer, ideally, the symptomatic child should be cared for in an area that is separated from other children at the service. This is to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

VISITOR POLICY
No external visitors are to enter a Thrive Centre.
In the event an external visitor is required to enter the centre, a health declaration form will be signed upon entry.