Lancashire Health Visiting and School Nursing

03/09/2026

🌟 Feed at The Harris 🌟

A series of FREE creative events exploring motherhood, infant feeding and care is coming to The Harris, Preston.

Whether you're a parent, carer, expecting a baby, or supporting young children, we'd love you to join us for creative workshops, conversations and a family-friendly celebration event.

🧸 Babies and young children welcome
📍 The Harris, Preston
September to November 2026
✅ Free to attend

Events include: 🎵 Lullaby - Creative workshop for parents and carers (14 September) 🏛️ Motherhood at the Museum - Exploring motherhood through objects and stories (8 & 14 October) 🫶 Care Fix - Reimagining Preston as a more welcoming city for families (October & November) 🤱 Feed at The Harris Celebration Event - 22 November

Some events require booking. Please see the image and booking links/further information in the comments.

28/08/2026

The return to school can be a big adjustment for the whole family. A little planning can help make mornings feel calmer and set children up for a positive day.

- Prepare the night before: lay out school uniform, pack school bags and fill water bottles to avoid a last-minute rush.

- Stick to a consistent bedtime routine: getting enough sleep can help children wake feeling rested and ready for the day.

- Make time for breakfast: a healthy breakfast helps children concentrate and gives them energy for the school day.

- Leave a little extra time: setting your alarm just 10 minutes earlier can help everyone feel less rushed.

- Talk positively about the day ahead: ask your child what they're looking forward to and encourage them to share any worries they may have.

For more advice on supporting your child's emotional wellbeing and building positive routines, visit the NHS Every Mind Matters website: https://bit.ly/3CJLBOM

25/08/2026

Vaccinations are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect your child against serious diseases such as measles, whooping cough and meningitis.

Keeping up to date with your child's routine vaccinations helps protect not only your child, but also babies, older adults and others who may be more vulnerable to infection.

Not sure what's due? The NHS has a vaccination schedule that shows which vaccines your child should receive and when.

Missed an appointment? Don't worry, it's usually possible to catch up. Contact your GP surgery to arrange a new appointment.

Vaccinations are offered free of charge on the NHS as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme.

Find out more about your child's vaccinations and the NHS vaccination schedule: https://bit.ly/4gNMudP

22/08/2026

Getting ready for school doesn’t happen all at once — it’s built through everyday moments at home, with small steps that can make a big difference. 🫧🍽️ 🚽 👕 👖

From getting dressed and eating independently to taking part in everyday activities, these little moments can help your child feel more confident and ready for school.

Remember, every child is different, so go at your own pace and celebrate every step along the way. 💛

21/08/2026

Did you know you should start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as their first tooth appears? Looking after baby teeth from the very beginning helps build healthy habits and can prevent tooth decay.

Here are some simple tips from the NHS:

🦷 Start brushing as soon as the first tooth comes through using a soft baby toothbrush.

🦷 Use fluoride toothpaste containing at least 1,000ppm fluoride. Children under 3 years should use a smear of toothpaste. Children aged 3–6 years should use a pea-sized amount.

🦷 Brush twice a day, including last thing before bed.

🦷Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste, but don't rinse with water afterwards. This helps the fluoride continue protecting their teeth.

🦷 Limit sugary foods and drinks, especially between meals and before bedtime, to help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

🦷 Take your child to the dentist when their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday to help them get used to dental visits.

For more advice, visit the NHS website:
👉 https://bit.ly/4167Cnl

20/08/2026

GCSE Results Day 💛🎓
Today is a big day, and whatever your results look like, be proud of yourself. You’ve worked hard, faced challenges and made it through — and one set of results does not define who you are or what you can achieve. 💪
If things haven’t gone how you hoped, please remember that you are not alone. There are lots of options and people who can help you work out your next steps.
💛Young Minds has advice and support for young people who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious or worried about results day.
💚 Lancashire with YOU offers information and support for young people across Lancashire, including help with mental health and wellbeing.
Take a breath, talk to someone you trust and give yourself time to process how you’re feeling.
Your results are part of your journey — they are not your whole story. 🌟

18/08/2026

Could your baby be overheating?

Babies and young children can become unwell more quickly than adults in hot weather, so it's important to know the signs and how to help keep them cool.

Signs your baby may be overheating include:

• Feeling hot to the touch
• Looking flushed or having red skin
• Being unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
• Being irritable or restless
• Breathing faster than normal

To help keep your baby safe in hot weather:

☀️ Keep babies out of direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm.

☀️ Dress them in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and use a wide-brimmed sun hat when outdoors.

☀️ Offer feeds regularly, as babies may need to feed more often in warm weather.

☀️ Keep sleeping areas cool by closing curtains during the day and opening windows when it's cooler (ensuring they are safe and secure).

☀️ Never leave a baby or child alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes.

☀️ Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight wherever possible.

If you're concerned your baby is unwell or showing signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion, seek medical advice promptly.

For more information on keeping babies and young children safe in hot weather, visit the NHS website: https://bit.ly/4gJgElw

17/08/2026

Great tips and advice below from ERIC UK around Toilet Anxiety

🚽 Does your child feel anxious about using the toilet?

Toilet anxiety is more common than many people realise, and it can make toileting a stressful experience for children and families.

A child may develop toilet anxiety after an unpleasant experience, such as after an episode of constipation, a loud hand dryer or a strong smell. Sensory factors like bright lights, echoes, an uncomfortable toilet seat or unfamiliar environments can also play a role.

Over time, these experiences can lead to feelings of worry whenever they need the toilet. Some children may even start holding in their wee or poo to avoid going altogether, or have wee and poo accidents

💡 How can you help?
✅ Acknowledge and validate their feelings.
✅ Identify possible triggers and causes of anxiety
Create a calm, familiar, and welcoming bathroom environment.
✅ Use games, music, or pictures to make the space more comfortable.
✅ Build confidence through other self-care skills, such as handwashing or getting dressed.
✅ Break toileting into small, manageable steps and then build on this.
✅ Use distraction techniques where appropriate.
✅ Stick to predictable routines.
✅ Talk openly about anxiety and feelings.
✅ Focus on positive achievements, not just using the toilet e.g. washing of hands.
✅ Check for constipation or bladder issues, as these can make toileting more difficult and will need treatment before progress can be made. See our advice for children with constipation for more information.

📖 For more advice, practical tips, and resources on supporting children with toilet anxiety, visit the ERIC website: https://eric.org.uk/information/toilet-anxiety/

Why the bathroom is frightening place for some children and how we can help them overcome their fears.

13/08/2026

Starting school is an exciting milestone for children and families. School readiness isn't about knowing the alphabet or being able to count to 100, it's about helping children feel confident, independent and ready to learn.

Here are some simple ways to support your child before they start school:

🍎 Encourage independence: practise putting on coats, shoes and simple items of clothing.

🍎 Support toileting and handwashing: help your child become as independent as possible with using the toilet and washing their hands.

🍎 Practise mealtimes: encourage your child to open lunchboxes, drink from their water bottle and tidy away after eating.

🍎 Talk, read and play together: everyday conversations, reading stories and imaginative play all help develop communication and language skills.

🍎 Build confidence: encourage your child to have a go, make choices and solve simple problems with your support.

🍎 Establish routines: gradually introducing school-day bedtimes and morning routines can help make the transition easier.

Remember, every child develops at their own pace. School readiness looks different for every family, and children don't need to master every skill before their first day.

For more tips on getting ready for school, visit the Best Start in Life website: https://bit.ly/4vyT5iY

If you have any questions, concerns or would like support with school readiness for your child, find out how to get in touch with us here: https://bit.ly/3MUQZK7

12/08/2026