Widnes nursery awarded Halton Healthy Early Years Status

Team members and children at Partou Willowdene Day Nursery and Pre-school in Widnes are celebrating after achieving Halton Healthy Early Years Status (HHEYS).

Awarded by Halton Borough Council, HHEYS recognises local early years settings that go above and beyond to support children’s health and wellbeing.

From nutrition and physical activity to emotional security and family partnership, the accolade reflects a steadfast commitment to giving children the possible start to their early development.

“A representative of the Council’s Healthy Early Years Team visited us for an audit and walk around to see how healthy early years processes are embedded in the setting,” Hayley McCue, Partou Willowdene Nursery Manager explained.

“They reviewed our menus and asked questions about our practices to ensure that we are promoting good health habits and guidance consistently. It was really collaborative and conversational.  The visit took a full day, so was very thorough.”

Hayley said dental health was an important focus of the assessment, including how the nursery promotes awareness of healthy foods.

“We practice the ‘Toothbrushing Song’ which supports children to become familiar with how long they need to brush their teeth,” she continued.  “We also hand out early years toothbrushes and toothpaste to families, which are very popular. 

“Another interesting topic is celebrating milestones healthily. On birthdays, we sing the ‘Happy Birthday Song’ using the birthday hat rather than centring this around the cake. Instead of families providing cake to celebrate their child’s birthday, we encourage them to send something like bubbles so the celebration is the focus rather than the food.”

Hayley also revealed that she had worked with the Halton Healthy Early Years representative to ensure Partou Willowdene is able to effectively signpost families to support and resources outside of the nursery setting towards a range of health and wellbeing requirements.

“For example, if families need assistance with Special Educational Needs or their mental health, we are able to help them access guidance,” she said. “This also includes parental support such as adjusting to motherhood, and accessing baby and toddler classes, as well as toilet training, so we can ensure our nursery community is well supported inside the setting, outside in the local community and online.”

Hayley said everyone associated with Partou Willowdene was “really happy” at receiving the award, “especially as the practices are so embedded in our nursery life.”

She added: “We really appreciate the acknowledgement and the reassurance that our hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.  The Halton Healthy Early Years Status plaque is in our reception area so the nursery team, children and families all walk past it every day. We feel proud to be recognised for our commitment to our nursery community’s health and wellbeing.”

Located close to Widnes station, Partou Willowdene provides childcare for families in Farnworth, Appleton, Lunts Heath and surrounding areas.