Wellbeing [ noun ] – the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.
This is what the Oxford English Dictionary defines as wellbeing, but what does that actually mean? The short answer is… well, there is no short answer! What one person feels is their perfect state of wellbeing may be completely different from another person. This stands to reason as we all have different goals, ambitions and personalities. And this is exactly true for both children and adults alike.
Here at Beechdale it is our aim and goal to ensure that all children and adults within our setting feel safe, comfortable, healthy and happy within their activities, play and work. Therefore we take the matter of well being to be one of our key priorities in all we offer and do. We achieve this in a number of different ways, here are a sample of things we offer:
For the children:
- a safe, calm and caring environment provided for all children
- All children allocated a specific key worker, we have 2 key workers per group to support and build relationships with the children and families
- The children have a familiar and consistent routine each and everyday
- The children have clear rules, routines and boundaries that are the same for each and every child
- Adults who are nurturing, caring, kind, friendly and have the very best interests of all of our children at heart of all they do
- Play and activities that interest the child
- An ethos of sharing, kind words and actions for all
- Positive reinforcements that the children are all fully aware of including monster points, certificates and stickers
- Our parent support advisor is on hand to provide one to one or group sessions for those children who may need additional support to encourage positive well being. Our parent support advisor is also a highly skilled counselor who provides counselling sessions when identified
- Yoga and mindfulness sessions during group times
- Weekly Forest School sessions, within these sessions the children are encouraged to take safe risks
- Daily access to the outdoor environment
- Forest Bathing. This is a new approach that has been introduced into Nursery that is a simple method of being quiet and calm amongst trees, observing nature around them whilst breathing deeply, this technique can help children de-stress and boost health and well being in a natural way
For the staff:
- Staff are not required to attend more than one meeting per week.
- Twilight meeting time is accrued and given back to staff on INSET days
- Embedded within the staff team is an ethos of support and appreciation of each other and the contribution made to the whole team
- Bespoke and core CPD offer
- Our Parent Support Advisor is also a highly skilled trained counselor who offers support for all staff as well as the children
- Staff allowed time off to attend sports days, performances and appointments for their own children
- Staff allowed time off to attend funerals, weddings etc, even if not for close/immediate relative
- Lunch provided at the end of each term as a special treat and a way of saying thank you for all the terms hard work
- Tea, coffee and biscuits funded by school
- Every member of staff has one day off each year, the staff member is encouraged to take time on this day for them
- Paper work has been reviewed and slimmed down
- Staff know where they can go for support and know that school leaders are here to listen and support them where and when needed
- Staff throughout the school show an interest in each other and support one another
- Following any periods of absence, staff are welcomed back by the HT and interviewed (to agree any support arrangements that may assist the employee)
- During longer periods of absence, the HT considers home visits to hold attendance discussions, in order to assist the employee. The HT keeps in touch and offers support where and when needed
- Plan staff meetings to take place in the outdoors
- Staff session of Forest Bathing
If you would like to know where to gain further access linked to well being and mental health support in County Durham please see the following document:
