Pre-School Challenge

In conjunction with the foundation stage educational advisors the Health Improvement and Development Service has produced a new version of the Pre-School Challenge.
 
One of the reasons for updating this award was to provide a stepping-stone towards the National Healthy School Standard. Some Pre-schools are undertaking this scheme, but it can be hard to attain for smaller groups, so this challenge was redesigned to cover similar topics but in a more "child friendly" format.
 
In the past this had proved very popular with pre-schools and nurseries who were required to complete a number of activities based around health during the school year. All children who participated were given a certificate. Typical tasks were taking place in physical activity, looking at road and water safety and collecting paper or aluminium for recycling.
 
The latest version asks groups who work with the under 5's (within Portsmouth City) to plan health related activities into their educational curriculum over a period of 1 to 2 years. Sections include;

• Being more active
• Improving your environment
• Healthy eating
• Safety

Within each area the organisation has to demonstrate how they covered the following 5 points

1. Parents or the wider community had been involved
2. A specialist organisation had been consulted / involved
3. The children had been involved in the whole process
4. The activity or event
5. Give 3 examples of personal & social education (PSE) development that has occurred for the children as a result of undertaking this challenge

How the organisation presents the evidence is up to them, they will be visited by an assessor when they feel they have completed the challenge and can produce the evidence.
 
Each section has a list of suggested ideas, however these are only suggestions and the pre-schools, child carers or créches are free to choose other activities that would benefit the children's health and well being in that category.
 
At present 25 sites are taking part in the pilot phase, after evaluation it is hoped to role out the main scheme in Sept 2006.
 
For more information please email enquiries@hids.org.uk.