As an early years educator, you can foster children’s healthy habits for life. Learn how to integrate health and wellbeing education into your setting to support young learners. Discover practical strategies and training options to enhance your practice and meet Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards.
In early years settings, fostering children’s health and wellbeing is critical, as habits formed in these years shape lifelong health outcomes. With rising childhood obesity and mental health challenges, educators are uniquely positioned to promote healthy lifestyles. By embedding health education into daily routines, you can empower children to thrive physically, emotionally and socially.
This guide offers actionable, evidence-based strategies, enriched by advanced training, to create nurturing environments that align with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards, ensuring every child builds a foundation for a healthier future.
Embed Health Education in Daily Activities
Integrating health and wellbeing education begins with intentional practices woven into your setting’s routine. According to the NHS, 12% of children aged 2–10 in England were obese in 2022, highlighting the need for early health interventions. Structured activities, such as nutrition-focused sessions, help children learn about balanced diets. For example, the Food for Life Early Years programme, run by the Soil Association, supports nurseries in England to deliver cooking activities, where children prepare simple dishes like fruit salads, fostering healthy eating habits. These sessions align with EYFS’s understanding the world area, engaging children through hands-on learning.
Advanced training enhances your ability to design such programmes. Pursuing qualifications, such as MSN programs, equips you with evidence-based strategies to promote child health, offering flexible online learning to suit your schedule. The NHS’s Healthy Start scheme, implemented in settings across the UK, trains educators to promote nutrition through activities like taste-testing fruits, which increased children’s willingness to try new fruits, as reported by participating settings.
You can integrate health into other EYFS areas, such as literacy, by reading books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar to discuss healthy foods, or mathematics, by sorting fruits into categories. These cross-curricular approaches, endorsed by the Department for Education’s EYFS framework, reinforce health awareness while meeting educational goals. By embedding nutrition education, you address obesity risks and support children’s holistic development.
Promote Physical Activity with Creative Approaches
Physical activity is essential for child wellbeing, and creative approaches ensure engagement while meeting EYFS physical development goals. Per The Guardian, NHS England spent £6.5 billion annually on obesity-related ill health in 2023, including 30 specialist clinics for children, underscoring the urgency of active lifestyles. The Forest School Association’s programmes, adopted by over 2,000 UK settings, promote outdoor activities like den-building and nature trails, enhancing children’s motor skills and confidence. A nursery in Dorset, part of the Forest School network, uses weekly outdoor sessions to encourage climbing and balancing, aligning with EYFS movement objectives.
Training in health education, available through advanced degrees, helps you design age-appropriate activities. The NHS’s Change4Life campaign provides resources for settings to run “10 Minute Shake Up” activities, inspired by Disney characters, which encourage running and jumping games. A setting in Lancashire adopted these activities, integrating them into daily routines to boost physical engagement.
For indoor settings, the Youth Sport Trust’s “Active Play” resources offer games like musical statues, adaptable to small spaces. Collaborating with local health services, such as inviting NHS health visitors to lead movement workshops, further enriches your programme. These evidence-based initiatives create active environments, supporting children’s physical and emotional growth while addressing national health priorities.
Support Emotional Wellbeing Through Structured Programmes
Emotional health is as critical as physical health, helping children navigate social and emotional challenges. Structured programmes foster resilience and emotional literacy, aligning with EYFS personal, social and emotional development (PSED) goals. The Anna Freud Centre’s “Early Years in Mind” network, used by UK nurseries, provides tools like “Feelings Charts” to help children identify emotions through group discussions. A nursery in London, part of this network, uses daily circle time to explore feelings, supporting children’s emotional regulation.
Advanced training equips you to implement these programmes effectively. Courses in child psychology or health education teach you to recognise signs of distress and intervene early. The PSHE Association’s “Mental Health and Wellbeing” resources guide educators to create “Calm Corners” with sensory tools like textured fabrics, helping children self-regulate. A setting in Birmingham adopted this approach, using sensory kits during transitions to reduce anxiety.
Training staff through workshops, such as those offered by the Early Years Alliance, ensures consistent emotional support across your team. These strategies build a supportive environment, addressing long-term mental health needs and preparing children for school and beyond.
Engage Parents in Health and Wellbeing Goals
Partnering with parents reinforces healthy habits through consistent messaging. According to The Guardian, 22.1% of Year 6 children in England were obese in 2023–24, emphasising the need for collaborative health promotion. The NHS’s Start4Life programme supports nurseries to run parent workshops on healthy eating, teaching families to prepare low-sugar snacks. A nursery in Leeds, part of Start4Life, hosts monthly sessions where parents learn to make smoothies, encouraging home-based healthy habits.
Higher education provides strategies for effective family engagement. Training in community health helps you tailor resources for diverse backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity. The National Children’s Bureau’s “Parent Champions” initiative trains parents to lead health activities, such as family fitness walks, in settings across England. A nursery in Manchester implemented this model, creating a parent-led exercise group that strengthened community ties.
Virtual engagement, like webinars on platforms like ParentZone, supports busy families, as recommended by the Department for Education. Hosting a “Health Day” with local NHS teams aligns with EYFS community engagement goals, building trust and enhancing child outcomes through collaborative efforts.
Create a Healthier Future for Young Learners
Integrating health and wellbeing education into your early years setting supports children’s holistic development and aligns with EYFS standards. From nutrition activities to emotional wellbeing programmes, your research-backed efforts shape healthier futures. Advanced training empowers you to lead with expertise, with flexible online courses fitting your schedule. By investing in professional growth, you enhance your setting’s impact, inspiring children, families and communities.
Your work builds a legacy of health education, influencing future generations. Engage with local education networks, like the Early Years Alliance, to advocate for health-focused policies, amplifying your impact. For example, a nursery in Kent, part of the Healthy Early Years London programme, collaborated with local councils to secure funding for outdoor play equipment, enhancing physical activity opportunities. This initiative demonstrates how advocacy can sustain health-focused practices.
Share successes through parent newsletters or social media, as recommended by the NHS Start4Life programme, to build community momentum. You can also partner with schools to create transition programmes that reinforce health habits, ensuring continuity as children progress. Start today by exploring online programmes, collaborating with NHS health visitors, and implementing one new health activity. Your commitment transforms your nursery into a wellbeing hub, setting a foundation for a healthier generation.
