OVER 70 childcare workers in the Vale of Glamorgan recently celebrated their success in helping keep children and their families healthy.

One childcare worker who celebrated her success was Jane Ward from the West End Playgroup in Barry.

The Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme aims to promote the health of pre- school age children, their parents and carers. Childcare organisations which take part, develop activities under various topic areas such as nutrition and oral health, physical activity and active play, mental and emotional health, and healthy environments.

A recent event was held to celebrate the achievements of the childcare organisations involved in the Welsh Government scheme, and provide ideas and inspiration for the next stages of the scheme. Creative ideas for undertaking simple healthy cookery with young children were explored, as well as updates on immunisation, how to create a smoke free environment and promoting good nutrition among very young children.

The scheme is led by Public Health Wales, and supported by a range of partners, including the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Catherine Perry, senior health promotion specialist at Cardiff and Vale Public Health Team co-ordinates the scheme in the Vale of Glamorgan said: “We are lucky to have such enthusiastic childcare workers in the Vale, who are committed to improving the health of the children in their care. They are making fantastic progress with this scheme. Health habits can be set early in childhood, so we need to do everything possible to ensure our pre-schoolers grow into healthy adults.”

Debbie Maule, Children’s Partnership co-ordinator at the Vale of Glamorgan Chairs the Vale of Glamorgan Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme Steering Group added: “Congratulations to all the child care organisations that are progressing so well through the Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme, and thank you to all the partner organisations helping them. The positive response to this initiative has been really encouraging.”