The Childsmile Toothbrushing Programme is a national programme to improve the oral health of children.  

View the Top Ten Tips for Positive Parenting

It is important that parents, staff and children work together.  There will be opportunities to meet at curricular meetings and open days. There are various ways in which we will communicate with you, including the parents’ notice board, letters, newsletters, text, conversations with staff and multimedia presentations.  There will be opportunities for you to become involved in nursery activities:

• Bring your adult to nursery day
• Reviewing nursery policies
• Trips and curricular walks
• Performances
• Parties
• Fundraising activities
• Day to day activities
• Consultation re nursery activities
• Play at Home
• Stay and Play
• Meet the Keyworker
• Visitor of the Month
• Book Bug Sessions
• Fun Days

Hillhead Parents’ Group

Each year we encourage parents to meet with staff to establish a Parents Group. This is an informal group of parents and nursery staff who meet to discuss nursery matters.  It provides an opportunity for parents/carers to voice an opinion on any matters of concern or interests that they may have. The group help organise fun events which enhance children’s learning experiences.  Come and join us if you can.  You can contribute to your child’s learning as well as participating in decision making and joining in our self evaluation process.

Take a look at our Language and Communications Friendly Establishment

Indicators and Results

Who are the Supporting Families Team and what do they do? 

We are a small team based within the Education Early Years’ Service. Our role is to support all families who have children 0-10years with any parenting queries, tips or strategies- no issue is too big or small. 

Why do families access support through the team? 

Most parents who access the service have children between 3 and 10 years old. For the majority of time parenting is rewarding but parents tell us sometimes it can be stressful. The Supporting Families Team offers free, informal, confidential support for every parent/carer either on a 1:1 basis or through a parenting group. Families do not need to be involved with any other services. 

Parents can self-refer by emailing: parenting@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

 What do parent/carers tell us about the service?  

"It was like someone had flicked a switch. He responded fantastically to small changes."

A parent of a 4-year-old boy who attended a group.

"Very useful sessions! Should be promoted more in schools. In my opinion, it is great that this service is offered by the council. We observed lots of positive changes at home since starting."

Parent of a 7-year-old boy who attended a group.

"I feel upbeat for the first time in months."

Parent of an 8-year-old girl a few weeks into 1:1 support.

Please Note:
If you are a resident of another Local Authority and your child attends an East Dunbartonshire School/nursery you can join a Triple P group (Day or Evening) and for 1:1 support you would access this from the Local Authority you live in.

The Importance of Transitions

Transitions are a time or process of change and it is natural that change almost always brings uncertainty. In an ELCC setting there are several transitions we expect a child to manage, initially from home to the setting, from playroom to playroom, from person to person. It can be a frequent time of change.

Building the Ambition 2014

It helps children and young people at all transitions if parents: 

• Talk with them about what is going to happen
• Encourage them to ask questions
• Encourage them to talk about any concerns or anxieties
• Listen carefully to their concerns and consider sharing them with other relevant people
• Help them to become familiar with the new setting and what will be expected of them

Curriculum for Excellence Fact File 3-18 Transitions 2011

 We welcome all service users into a nurturing environment where we acknowledge individual children’s likes and dislikes.

In line with National guidelines the centre follows the following procedure to help prevent the spread of head lice.

• If staff notice a child with head lice, parents are informed to treat infestation or contact Health Visitor for advice.
• Nursery sends out regular notifications on Facebook and Learning Journals to follow the Once A Week Take a Peek guidance.
• Information about Head Lice is available at the front door.
• Parents of children with reoccurring head lice will be given additional support in how to treat head lice and directed to Health Visitor.
• Untreated and reoccurring head lice will be notified to health and/ or social work.

Please remember that untreated head lice can cause distress and pain to your child/children. By treating your child and checking them on a regular basis you will help prevent the spread of head lice to other children and their families.

NHS advice on Head Lice

Wet combing
Lice and nits can be removed by wet combing.

You can buy a special fine-toothed comb (detection comb) online or from pharmacies to remove head lice and nits.

There may be instructions on the pack, but usually you:

• wash hair with ordinary shampoo
• apply lots of conditioner (any conditioner will do)
• comb the whole head of hair, using the detection comb, from the roots to the ends.

It usually takes about 10 minutes to comb short hair, and 20 to 30 minutes for long, frizzy or curly hair. When you've finished combing the hair, comb through all the hair again for a second time.

Do wet combing on days 1, 5, 9 and 13 to catch any newly hatched head lice. Check again that everyone's hair is free of lice on day 17.

You cannot prevent head lice

There's nothing you can do to prevent head lice.

You can help stop them spreading by wet combing regularly, using a detection comb, to catch them early.

Do not use medicated lotions and sprays to prevent head lice. They can irritate the scalp.