Cornwall’s under-fives get new plan to build healthy habits

A grinning pear doing star jumps. A toothbrush-waving molar. A trainer mid-sprint with a tennis racket in hand. They’re the faces of a new push to get Cornwall’s youngest children into healthy habits before they’ve even started school.

From today, Tuesday 8 September, every Early Years setting in Cornwall has access to a new Healthy Under 5s Framework, designed to help nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and school reception classes build healthier habits into children’s everyday routines.

What the framework covers

Created by Cornwall Council‘s Public Health team working alongside Early Years support services, the framework sets out practical steps across eight areas of a young child’s health and wellbeing: food and nutrition, oral health, physical activity, sleep, emotional health and wellbeing, infection control, illness and accident prevention, community, environment and responsibility, and toilet training.

It’s designed to complement, rather than replace, the national Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, helping settings meet their legal obligations around children’s health while embedding good practice into day-to-day work with under-fives.

Training, network meetings and tailored support

Settings signing up to the Healthy Under 5s offer get more than the framework document itself. They’ll be able to access updates, training and resources, join network meetings to swap ideas and best practice with other settings, and receive support tailored to their own priorities.

Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said the habits picked up in the earliest years tend to stick.

“Healthy habits learned in the earliest years can stay with children throughout their lives. This new Healthy Under 5s Framework will give our Early Years settings practical support to make those habits part of everyday life, helping to give every child the healthiest possible start.”

Cllr Thalia Marrington, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, said the framework was designed to build on work already happening across the county.

“Early Years providers play a vital role in supporting children’s development, and this framework recognises the fantastic work already taking place across Cornwall. By bringing together guidance on key aspects of health and wellbeing, the Healthy Under 5s Framework will help settings build on best practice and ensure children have the foundations they need to thrive, both now and in the future.”

The Pledge Certificate

Settings can also earn recognition for putting the framework into practice. Completing two simple steps qualifies a nursery, pre-school or childminder for a Healthy Under 5s Pledge Certificate, a visible sign to families, staff and visitors that the setting is actively using the framework to strengthen its approach to children’s health and wellbeing.

The full framework, guidance, training information and supporting resources are all available through the Services for Schools Early Years platform.

It isn’t limited to registered Early Years settings either. Any organisation, service or group working with young children can request a copy by emailing [email protected].

📷Two happy toddlers play and learn together with an educational toy center on a vibrant mat in their cozy living room.