Health Awards Given To Welsh Language Playgroup

A playgroup has netted a slew of awards for its focus on children’s health and wellbeing. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dechrau’n Deg Bodhyfryd, the Cylch Meithrin Welsh language playgroup at Ysgol Bodhyfryd, Wrexham, received the Welsh Government’s Healthy and Sustainable Pre-School Scheme Award for encouraging pupils, staff and parents to think about their health across a range of areas – including taking part in nutrition and oral health; physical activity/active play; mental and emotional health; wellbeing and relationships; environment; safety; hygiene and workplace health.The pre-school scheme is operated throughout Wales by Public Health Wales (PHW), and is supported locally by Wrexham County Borough Council’s Healthy Schools team. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Along with the Pre School Scheme, the playgroup has also recently taken both the Tiny Tums Award operated by the community dieticians team at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and the Gold Award in the Designed to Smile Tooth Brushing Scheme, an NHS Dental programme funded by the Welsh Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Michael Williams, Lead Member for Education and Children’s Services, said: “It is vital that children are taught good habits around health, cleanliness and the importance of physical activity at a young age, as the practises they learn at playgroup level could go on to form the habit of a lifetime. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’m delighted to see the efforts of all those at Dechrau’n Deg have been recognised – and for them to achieve not just one but three awards for their work in promoting good health is especially praiseworthy.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Nerys Bennion, Healthy Pre Schools Officer for Wrexham Council said:“Dechrau’n Deg Bodhyfryd has shown that the general health and well-being of children and staff is at the forefront of the setting. The environment of the setting is lovely both indoors and outdoors. They embrace all initiatives that can help to influence practice in the setting and make the experience for staff and children extra special. I am sure they will continue to promote a healthy and happy environment for the children that pass through their care in the future.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Julie Morris, supervisor at Dechrau’n Deg, said: “Over the past three years it’s been a joy to be a part of this scheme. It’s not only been embraced by the children but also by the parents. Some positive feedback by all parties has proven this has been a success to our setting, and we as staff members are committed to continue the good practices that we have learned.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​