Nurseries have a long history in making a valuable contribution to improving children's health. Back in 1919, Margaret McMillan wrote vivid descriptions in her book The Nursery School (Forgotten Books, 2012) of the many threats to the health of children at that time.
The effects of poverty meant many children had an inadequate diet, and many were debilitated by anaemia and rickets. Poor housing with inadequate sanitation were a fertile breeding ground for infectious illnesses and infestations. McMillan described the prevalence of ‘scabies, impetigo, conjunctivitis, skin conditions of many kinds’ in her nursery school. Infectious diseases such as mumps, diphtheria, measles and polio were common causes of disability or death in under-fives.
Nursery World, 19 February, 1936
CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES
A hundred years later, children are still suffering from the conditions described above and infectious diseases are still a cause of poor health, disability and death around the world.
There have also been changes in society that have had a significant impact on health. Children may have fewer opportunities to be active than 100 years ago. The effects of poverty are still evident: poor quality but less expensive food and drink cause dental decay, inadequate nutrition and obesity. And poor mental health in young children is a global cause of concern.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health wrote in its 2017 report:
The health of infants, children and young people in the UK has improved dramatically over the last 30 years. Many will lead happy and healthy lives, but the future health and happiness of a significant and growing number is in jeopardy. The bottom line is that the UK could do far more to improve child health and wellbeing
The Covid pandemic also had a profoundly negative impact. It is unacceptable that so many children are experiencing poor health, but there is a huge amount that early childhood educators do to improve health.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
Early childhood educators can, and already do, improve children's health in two main ways. First, by supporting children who have a health condition that requires ongoing treatment. Children with complex medical needs may need tube feeding or help with toileting. Secondly, they contribute to the health of all children through high-quality provision. The EYFS (2024) states that ‘providers must promote the good health, including oral health, of the children they look after’. To help support settings, I have written the Early Childhood Health Promotion Toolkit. This is a free resource.
The Government must recognise the great work that goes on in settings and appreciate how high-quality provision can contribute to improved health. Our children are precious, and they deserve to have the best possible health.
Over the last hundred years, there have been key events that have helped to improve children's health:
- The introduction of the Health Visiting and School Nursing service.
- Medical milestones: vaccinations, antibiotics and better sanitation.
- Increased understanding of the cause and discovery of treatments for illnesses.
- Global initiatives including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 24 states ‘Every child has the right to the best possible health’ (UNCRC, 1989).
- The introduction of Sure Start centres in 1998 meant that healthcare services were more accessible to children and families.
