Children's centres and a childminder in Slough have been presented with health and wellbeing Kitemark Awards.

Slough Borough Council, who run the awards, have received applications from many early years setting in the area for the health and wellbeing accreditation - an initiative which supports early years settings to establish and develop the best health and wellbeing practices.

The scheme has four levels of achievement; Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Settings are encouraged to work through each level of the accreditation at a sustainable pace, with support and guidance given from the moment of engagement, and throughout. 

A Slough Borough Council spokesperson said: "It is paramount for children and young people to have a foundation of good health from an early age, that will continue throughout their life.

"This can be very challenging for families, and with the covid pandemic seeing an increase in obesity, dental decay, physical inactivity, and emotional and mental instability in under 5s, families are struggling to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle."

Five settings have recently received their award.

Four of these settings are children's centres - Penn Road, Monksfield Way, Chalvey Grove and Romsey Close who all achieved Platinum level.

Each children's centre was presented its plaque by Councillor Christine Hulme, Lead Member for Children’s Services, Lifelong Learning and Skills.

Local childminder Kathy Szpur, 23, was also presented with her framed certificate for achieving Silver.

Councillor Hulme said: “I am extremely proud to be here today presenting these awards to four of our children’s centres and one of our childminders here in Slough.

"We have fantastic early years settings throughout the borough, and the dedication of everyone who works in the sector always shines through especially on days like today.”

Children’s Centre and Family Hubs Interim Group Manager, Marie-Claire Avis, said: “The Platinum Award was achieved through the hard work and dedication of all the staff, who continually aspire to ensure high standards and key messages for the health and wellbeing of the children and families accessing our children’s centres and across Slough”