SURE START SAVES LIVES
The knowledge that the staff, services and ethos of Sure Start areinextricably linked to child protection has underpinned our campaign tosave our children's centres in Hampshire. I know from personal storiesthat if it wasn't for the safe and trusting relationships users alreadyhave with Sure Start staff, some parents would no longer be here due tothe incomprehensible dark places they entered during the depths of theirpostnatal depression.
I know children who have been on the verge of abuse and rescued onlythrough the placement, relationships and ability of staff to do theiressential outreach work. I know of parents who have found courage toleave violent, abusive relationships through the support of friendsfound at Sure Start centres. I know that a strained social care systemhas referred 'less serious' cases back to Sure Start.
Sure Start is a form of child protection, for while the 'what if?' and'thankfully this didn't happen' situations are hard - perhaps impossible- to quantify, they do exist and have to be considered. In the future,there is a real risk that the 'what if?' is more a case of 'how did welet this happen'?
I fully understand that the schools budget is ringfenced and that socialcare and the most severe known cases of child protection needinvestment, but why does Sure Start have to be the victim in thesedifficult budgetary decisions?
I do not know the details but I do know there is money in reserves,money for emergencies. I would consider the current financial situationwe are faced with an emergency. If we cannot, on the surface, afford togive the children of Hampshire the start in life they deserve, ifchildren's lives are potentially at risk, surely the money should befound?
Kate Reynolds, Save Our Children's Centres Hampshire Group
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ON THE POTTY
I have just read the 'Potty threat for parents' (NW 14-27 June). I amappalled at the attitude of the Liverpool school with regard to thismatter and would suggest they read their inclusion policy!
In the 1990s, children did not start school until the term in which theyturned five, not shortly after their fourth birthday, as is so often thecase now. With today's ever-increasing technology, babies are far morelikely to survive early premature births, which may also affect theirmaturity.
When will this country acknowledge that the date of birth is arbitraryand it is a child's readiness for school that should be taken intoconsideration? This could be physical or emotional and for a widevariety of reasons.
If parents are happy with their child's attendance at their chosenpre-school setting, perhaps they should be encouraged to remain there,with their funded place, until the child is ready. It would be a veryunusual pre-school, nursery or childminder that would not assist parentswith toilet training at an appropriate time, if this is the only reasona child is deemed not to be 'ready' for school.
Andrea Williams MEd, BA (Hons) ECS, Worcs
THERE'S MORE TO FIRST AID
In response to the news story 'St John Ambulance calls for nursery staffto renew first aid training every year' (NW 14-27 June), I feel furtherexplanation is needed.
It is a requirement of the EYFS that there is at least one person on thepremises who is trained in Paediatric First Aid, not that allpractitioners should be trained. However, in order to ensure the welfareof children and a consistent availability of first-aiders acrossmultiple rooms, shifts, staff breaks, holidays and illness absence, itmay be considered good practice to have several members of staff trainedin paediatric first aid.
It must also be remembered that while settings pay much attention to therequirement for Paediatric first aid provision, under the Health andSafety at Work Act there is a requirement to ensure a suitable first aidprovision for staff of a setting that does not fall under Paediatricfirst aid (EYFS) requirements and may require additional or separatetraining.
As with any skill, unless it is used regularly, there is a risk that itwill fade, and therefore regular refresher training can help assist inreversing this. We generally find that when practitioners attend aPaediatric first aid course, they are indeed committed to the learningand in being able to provide effective first aid to the children intheir care. It would indeed be very concerning if practitioners were totreat it as a 'tick-box exercise'.
Calvin Hanks, director and safety manager, CJ Group
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