Baby self-feeding pillows
Urgent safety alert issued for baby self-feeding pillows
These self-feeding pillows have been on sale all over the internet. But they can kill small babies. That’s because the baby can’t push the bottle away, so can choke on the milk or suffer aspiration pneumonia.
After the Child Accident Prevention Trust raised concerns, the Office for Product Safety and Standards investigated and issued an urgent safety alert.
They say: “this category of product will always be dangerous due to their design and intended use, and can never be made safe”.
Parents should immediately stop using these products.
Businesses must immediately remove these products from sale.
Professor Peter Fleming, a consultant paediatrician and leading baby safety expert explains:
“The NHS has warned against prop feeding for many years, as there is a significant link between prop feeding and the risk of unexpected death, aspiration pneumonia and ear infections in babies.
“With this device, the baby cannot adjust the angle of the bottle or the rate of flow of the milk. There is a real risk that milk will get into the back of the baby’s throat and they will stop breathing. Plus, there is a risk of aspiration pneumonia, a life-threatening illness which if not recognised and treated, can kill a small baby in a few hours.”
Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust says:
“As soon as we saw this product on sale on online marketplaces, we knew it was dangerous. It encourages parents to leave their baby alone to feed with a propped-up bottle.
“Every health professional advises against prop feeding. A baby needs their parent with them while they are feeding, so the parent can react if they start gagging or choking.
“We are hugely relieved that the Office for Product Safety and Standards acted so quickly when we raised our concerns. We urge parents to stop using this product straight away and to tell their family and friends about the risks.”
Fifty Things to do before you’re 5
Suggested activities to do with your child in their early years.
Interacting with children while they are playing is an investment in their future!
Every Friday we will focus on one of the activities featured in the ‘50 Things to do before you’re 5’ app. This week it’s time to ‘Explore the cold’
Activity #12 Snow, ice and cold weather are experiences that your child can find really exciting; they need to discover our world using all their senses to properly understand it, and snow is a great opportunity for play! Wrap up warm and keep moving - they’ll have a wonderful time!
Download the app and find out more! https://oxfordshire.50thingstodo.org/
Words of Wisdom
Here are some gentle parenting words of wisdom to get us all through the festive period.
Please be kind to yourself in the whirlwind of extreme emotions and endless to do lists.
Happy Hanukkah
To all our Jewish families and friends celebrating over the coming week - have a safe & wonderful time
.
Help with Rising Living Costs
Help with rising living costs
Help if you’re concerned about how to pay for everyday costs and financial support.
NOT SURE WHERE TO TURN?
If you’re not sure where to go for the support you need, speak to your local library. The team can help by pointing you in the right direction. Contact your local library to find out more.
SUPPORT FROM YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL
The district and city councils have the details of local organisations that can provide practical support and advice on money matters, housing, living costs and mental health.
There are also a number of national or countywide options to explore.
Saving you money
ACCESSING FINANCIAL SUPPORT
An estimated £15bn of benefits are believed to go unclaimed each year. Use a free benefits calculator to find out what you could be entitled to. Or contact Citizens Advice Oxfordshirefor one-to-one help to do this.
Citizens Advice can also help with planning your budgeting and debt advice if things are tough.
Through the NHS there is a range of support to help people access health services such as support with travel costs and financial support for people on low incomes. Find out more on the NHS website.
Stay fit and find ways to manage your money with local advice and support on Live Well Oxfordshire.
If you cannot pay your tax bill on time, contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as soon as possible.
The MoneyHelper service provides free, confidential and impartial help on a range of finance-related issues including benefits, savings, pensions and work.
ENERGY, WATER AND BROADBAND SAVINGS
With the Better Housing, Better Health service you’ll get practical advice on saving energy and accessing grants and financial support. This is a free service, supported by Oxfordshire County Council, which could save you money, make your living space more comfortable, reduce stress and improve your health.
If you can’t pay your energy bills now, contact your energy supplier. Further information about the help available with energy bills can be found on gov.uk.
All domestic electricity customers in Great Britain will receive a £400 reduction in their electricity costs from October 2022 through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. There will be no requirement to pay it back. Households will not need to apply for the scheme and, in most cases, the government expects electricity suppliers to apply the reduction automatically to bills from October 2022.
There is a range of support available nationally, find out more about it on the government’s website.
Some broadband providers offer cheaper packages for those who receive certain government benefits. These are known as social tariffs. Ofcom has a list of broadband providers who offer these packages. You should always check with your existing provider before starting any new contracts to make sure there are no charges for stopping your existing contract.
Many water companies run hardship schemes or fund independent charitable trusts which can help you pay your bills.
DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS
Find out what offers are available from grocery, entertainment, retail, health, travel and other businesses to help with the cost of living on the gov.uk website.
SUPPORTING YOUR FAMILY
FREE SCHOOL MEAL EQUIVALENT SUPPORT AHEAD OF SCHOOL HOLIDAY PERIODS
Oxfordshire County Council continues to provide funding to schools and colleges to put in place free school meal equivalent arrangements around holiday periods, using specific government funds available for this purpose. This discretionary scheme is currently funded at the rate of £15 per holiday week per eligible child or young person and typically comes in the form of a supermarket voucher or digital equivalent. Those eligible are those lower income families also eligible for means-tested free school meals. The scheme is administered through schools and colleges directly and support is issued ahead of school holidays. Parents and carers who believe they have missed a payment should contact their child’s school or college.
EARLY YEARS SUPPORT
This winter for children not of school age, rather than support ahead of each holiday periods, a single one-off support offer is being made to the families of eligible children through participating early years providers. Participating providers will issue a one-off support voucher of £60 per eligible child (equivalent to the support made available to children and young people in schools over the period). In early years, eligible children are those in receipt of two-year-old funded places or those three and four-year-old children who attract Early Years Pupil Premium. Parents and carers should approach their child’s setting with any queries. Early Years settings are not obliged to make this payment and we are grateful to all those who are able to do so for providing support to some of Oxfordshire’s most in-need children.
CHILDCARE SUPPORT
You could be eligible for support with free childcare. Certain criteria apply, so find out if you are eligible for 3 to 4-year-old and 2-year-old support.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, you will also be able to get equivalent support during the school holidays. Activities and events will be available for 4 to 11-year-olds during the Christmas holidays. Your school or early years setting should be in touch directly but if not, please contact them.
ACCESSING FOOD SUPPORT
If you're at least ten weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old, you might be able to get free vitamins and Healthy Start vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk.
The Oxfordshire food access map allows you to search for community food services such as food banks, community larders, and food projects.
Most food banks need a referral to access them - this can come from many groups - a doctor, housing association, local council, charity, the council.
Larders and fridges do not work on a referral basis and give either low-cost or free food which otherwise would go to waste.
KEEPING YOU WARM AND SAFE
You may be eligible for a fully funded energy efficiency update to your home. Check if you’re eligible to apply.
You’ll get a warm welcome in our libraries. Everyone is welcome – and you’ll have access to the internet and computers as well as our wide range of books and audio books.
There are grants and schemes available designed to help you make essential repairs and improve the comfort, safety and security of your home.
Warm spaces are open this winter to provide free and low-cost places to get together and get support.
Oxford's network of warm spaces can be found on its website https://www.oxford.gov.uk/warmspaces
The national Warm Welcome Network lists a wider network of organisations that have opened up free, warm spaces across Oxfordshire.
SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS IN OXFORDSHIRE
If you need to talk to someone on any topic regarding your mental health, there are local organisations that can help:
Oxfordshire Safe Haven for you if you are over 18 and living in Oxfordshire.
Connection Support is a local charity that provides flexible and tailored support and advice to adults and families.
The Mind Guide – a mental health services directory in Oxfordshire.
The Youth in Mind Guide – information on young people's mental health services in Oxfordshire.
Citizens Advice – access free, confidential advice on money matters, housing, employment and consumer rights.
The government’s Help for Households website provides information on a range of support.
Scarlet Fever / Group A Streptococcus
Dear parents, further to my recent post regarding, common colds, D&V bug, viral rashes, chicken pox, hand foot and mouth etc please do read this below as we have children within early years with scarlet fever:
Fact sheet for schools and parents about Group A Streptococcus (GAS)/Scarlet Fever.
What is Group A Streptococcus?
Group A Streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium that can be found in the throat and on the skin. People may carry it and have no symptoms of illness or may develop infection.
How is it spread?
Group A Streptococcus survives in throats and on skin for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing and skin contact. People who are currently carrying the bacteria in the throat or on the skin may have symptoms of illness or they may have no symptoms and feel fine. In both cases, these bacteria can be passed on to others.
What kinds of illnesses are caused by Group A Streptococcus?
Most Group A Streptococcus illnesses are relatively mild, with symptoms including a sore throat ("strep throat"), scarlet fever or a skin infection such as impetigo. However, on rare occasions, these bacteria can cause other severe and sometimes life-threatening diseases.
Although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, it should be treated with antibiotics to minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others.
The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. This is followed by a fine red rash which typically first appears on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On more darkly-pigmented skin, the scarlet rash may be harder to spot, but it will still feel like 'sandpaper'. The face can be flushed red but pale around the mouth.
Children who have had chickenpox or influenza (‘flu) recently are more likely to develop more serious infection during an outbreak of scarlet fever and so parents should remain vigilant for symptoms such as a persistent high fever, cellulitis (skin infection) and arthritis (joint pain and swelling). If you are concerned for any reason please seek medical assistance immediately.
What is invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) disease?
Although rare, invasive Group A Streptococcus disease may occur when bacteria get into parts of the body where bacteria are not usually found. These infections are called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease and can be very serious and even life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of invasive Group A Streptococcal disease?
The most important thing to be aware of are the early signs and symptoms of invasive Group A Streptococcal disease. These are:
• High Fever
• Severe muscle aches
• Localised muscle tenderness
• Redness at the site of a wound
What should I do if my child becomes unwell?
If your child becomes unwell contact your GP practice. Alternatively, you can call NHS111 and you should also call NHS111 if your surgery is closed.
If my child is unwell, should they stay off school?
If your child becomes unwell with these symptoms you should contact your GP practice or call NHS111 (which operates a 24/7 service) to seek advice. If your child is unwell they should stay off school until they are better.
What else can I do to prevent my child from becoming unwell?
Because Group A Streptococcal disease is spread through coughing, sneezing and skin contact, its’s important to have good hand hygiene and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues and throw these away.
If your child is unwell, if child needs calpol please do not attend cygnets for 24 to 48 hours. We will be sending poorly children home for 48 hours not as we do not want to take any unnecessary risks x
This will all help limit the spread of other infections, which are common this time of year.
Christmas Fundraiser
Cygnets Christmas Fundraising Evening - Save the Date - Wednesday 14th December 2022, Pop by between 4:30pm-6:30pm
You will be able to book a slot to meet and greet Father Christmas himself in our Cygnets Christmas grotto and grab a selfie, a small charge will occur to cover a gift and overheads.
Other activities will include festive biscuit and cake decorating, craft area, face painting, carol singing, Christmas tunes and a look around the classroom to see all your children’s work.
As its a fundraiser we will be selling luxury hot chocolate, mulled wine, cakes and bakes and warm pigs in blanket rolls and festive balloons.
Children in Need
Cygnets is going spotty for Children in Need!
Children can come dressed in spots to support and if you would like to make a donation, you can too. Children can also wear their favourite dressing up costume or come in their usual clothes if they want to x
Happy Diwali
Diwali is celebrated as a five-day New Year festival; it symbolises the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and new beginnings. Houses are lit by Divas – small clay pots containing a little oil and a wick (a tea light can replace the oil) – and Rangoli patterns are made outside front doors, together with footprints to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune and wealth, into every home.
Buildings and streets are decorated with lights, and there are firework displays. Homes are cleaned, new clothes worn and cards and gifts, such as sweets (mithai) and dried fruit, are exchanged.
One of the most famous legends associated with Diwali tells the story of how Prince Rama returned from exile with his wife, Sita, to his kingdom, after overcoming the 10-headed demon Ravana with the help of Hanuman, the monkey god, and his army of monkeys. People were so delighted that they lit the couple’s return with rows of lights.
We have talked about what children and their families plan to do in celebration, including any special roles the children may have, such as making Rangoli patterns or helping to make coconut burfi sweets to offer to visitors and to give as gifts.
We have also talked about how we can be kind to one another, and to make other people and ourselves happy.
Better Health Start for Life / DfE’s new campaign
Better Health Start for Life and the Department for Education have today launched a new campaign to encourage parents and carers to chat, play and read more with their children to develop their communication, language and literacy skills before starting school.
Playing with our new 'Motion Activated / Sensory and Learning Projector'
Children were given the opportunity to influence and interact with their environment through movement, exploration and collaboration. Through a variety of visuals, the children interacted by revealing fish in a Rockpool, popping bubbles to make fireworks, responding to all movements no matter how big or small, all whilst learning to be patient and take turns!
Happy Navratri!
For those throughout our community celebrating over the next 9 nights.. be safe and enjoy your celebrations🙌🏼 #HappyNavrati
Scarlet Fever / Streptococcus
Re: increase in scarlet fever and invasive group A streptococcus above seasonally expected levels
We are writing to inform you of a national increase in notifications of scarlet fever and invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), above seasonally expected levels.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the signs and symptoms and the actions to be taken:
Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a common childhood infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus (GAS). The early symptoms of scarlet fever include sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. After 12 to 48 hours the characteristic red, pinhead rash develops, typically first appearing on the chest and stomach, then rapidly spreading to other parts of the body, and giving the skin a sandpaper-like texture. The scarlet rash may be harder to spot on darker skin, although the 'sandpaper' feel should be present. Patients typically have flushed cheeks and pallor around the mouth. This may be accompanied by a ‘strawberry tongue’. As the child improves peeling of the skin can occur.
Infection control advice
In schools and nurseries it is recognised that infections can be spread through direct physical contact between children and staff and through shared contact with surfaces such as table tops, taps, toys and handles. During periods of high incidence of scarlet fever there may also be an increase in outbreaks in schools, nurseries and other child care settings.
As per national Health Protection in Schools and Other Child Care Facilities guidance, children and adults with suspected scarlet fever should be excluded from nursery / school / work for 24 hours after the commencement of appropriate antibiotic treatment. Good hygiene practice such as hand washing remains the most important step in preventing and controlling spread of infection.
Bank Holiday for the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Bank Holiday for the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Achieve Oxfordshire - Healthy Lifestyle Programme
Gloji Energy is a FREE healthy lifestyle programme for children and families that supports them to lead healthier lifestyles.
Gloji Energy is fully funded by Oxfordshire County Council and accessible for children aged 4-12 years old. There will be both group and one to one sessions available, dependent on the needs of each family.
Gloji Energy isn’t about introducing your child or family to a diet, it is to provide children with 45 minutes of various physical activity whilst parents/carers learn healthy lifestyle tips and tricks which include subjects such as, regular eating patterns, portions, making and breaking habits, staying active, sleep and meal planning. There is also a 15 minute interactive activity at the end each sessions for the whole family to engage in.
Locations where Gloji Energy is being held include Oxford, Bicester, Witney, Berinsfield, Abingdon and Didcot.
Our Bicester group is being held at Jump Inc so the children would enjoy 45 minutes of free trampolining.
Families can find out more information on locations and dates of the programmes and sign up by accessing
Achieve Oxfordshire’s website: https://www.achieveoxfordshire.org.uk/services/gloji-energy
A new academic year has arrived and we cannot wait…
These first few weeks with a new cohort are amazing! we have always loved getting to know all the new personalities and quirks. Building positive relationships with families and children, by getting to know their needs, interests and foibles. By understanding children and their unique personalities, we are looking forward to tailoring their learning experiences to ensure each and everyone of our lickle peeps can achieve to the best of their abilities.
Best of luck to all our lickle ones starting the next stage of their learning journey in the Reception year.
Looking forward to seeing our returning families/children too. Let’s hope 2022/2023 academic year is a great one for all!