Welcome to the September edition of our Family Hubs and Start for Life newsletter!
The monthly theme for September is 'Understanding Crying'. In this issue we aim to provide valuable support and guidance on why your baby or child cries and what you can do to manage your own responses as well as help to support your child to recognise their own emotions.
ICON Week 2024
23-27 September
 ICON is a programme adopted by health and social care organisations in the UK to provide information about infant crying, including how to cope, support parents/carers, and reduce stress.
Taking place from September 23 to 27, ICON Week 2024 is dedicated to raising awareness about infant crying and how to manage it, supporting parents and carers, and preventing serious injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities caused by Abusive Head Trauma, often resulting from shaking a baby.
ICON is a program embraced by health and social care organizations across the UK, providing essential information about infant crying, including coping strategies, parental support, and stress reduction.
This year’s ICON Week focuses on sharing ideas and best practices. Friends and relatives play a crucial role in supporting parents and carers during the challenging times when a baby is crying.
Cry-sis
In 1981 a small group of parents, who were experiencing problems with their crying and sleepless babies, set up a support group. They discovered how important support is and how reassuring it can be to talk to someone. Today that support group has become The Cry-sis Helpline, the only UK charity offering help and support to parents with babies who cry excessively or have sleeping problems. From modest beginnings The Cry-sis Helpline has become a well-respected national charity which provides a free telephone helpline, offers advice and raises public awareness.
Brazelton Centre UK
How does my newborn baby communicate and how can I soothe them?
 Newborn babies have an amazing way of communicating what they are thinking and feeling, what they like and dislike and the things they need from you.
Baby behaviour is the term used to describe all the movements, sounds and responses that your newborn baby uses to express what they are thinking and feeling. For your baby, their behaviour is their language! When you understand the meaning of these often-subtle behaviours, you will be able to understand more about your baby’s uniqueness and the things they are saying to you.
Cheshire East Family Hubs
UNICEF UK's Baby Friendly Initiative Accreditation
Do you have a baby born after 1st June 2024?
 Cheshire East Family Hubs would like your help to gain the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Accreditation. We need families with babies born since 1st June 2024 to complete a short questionnaire in person or over the phone around the help and support you have received when feeding you baby. If you would like to help us and take part please contact your local Family Hub or speak to a member of staff on your next visit.
Stay and Play
 Now that the new school term has started, our Stay and Play groups are for children aged 0-5. These are a wonderful place for pre-school children to socialise, explore messy play, get outdoors and for parents to seek advice and guidance from our Start for Life team. These groups are also inclusive for children with additional needs. If you would like to talk to one of our practitioners about support with crying, please do so. There is no need to book, please just turn up and play!
To find out when and where your local Stay and Play is, please use the link below.
New Stay and Play Group Comes to Middlewich on Thursday 12th September
Primary School Admissions 2025
Applications now open
 Applications are now open for children starting primary school. If you are a parent, with a child born between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021, your child will be due to start primary school in September 2025. Parents are strongly advised to apply for three preferences.
Applications must be submitted to the child’s home local authority by:
- 15 January 2025 for pupils starting primary in September 2025.
Parents still need to apply even if the child has a brother or sister already at the school or the child is attending a nursery/preschool attached to the school. Some faith schools may also require parents and carers to submit a supplementary information form/confirmation of baptism. Further information about this will be available on the school’s website.
Parents should consider how their child will travel to school when making preferences. Parents can find out about school transport at Free and subsidised school transport (cheshireeast.gov.uk)
To apply online and for further information please go to Application process for starting school in September (cheshireeast.gov.uk) or call 0300 123 5012.
For up to date information please direct parents to follow our twitter @CE_Admissions and follow The Family Information Service – @FISCheshireEast or Family Information Service (Cheshire East Council) - Home | Facebook
 If your child has recently started school you may be feeling a little unsure of where to turn to for help and support. Even though your child is now attending school, Cheshire East Family Hubs are here to support you, as well as the 0-19 Contact Hub who provide:
- Health Visiting
- Infant Feeding – Cherubs
- School Nursing
- Family Nurse Partnership (FNP)
- Immunisation and screening
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
North Locality
 
South Locality
Book of the Month
Dog Gone by Rob Biddulph
 Every dog has his Dave (or otherwise-named human)… but on a walk in the park, the adorable Teddy the pug, loses his! And when Teddy finds himself at the shed of the TERRIBLE TROLL in the woods, he might find more than he bargained for… a new friend.
The Feelings Song
 Little people experience lots of big emotions and crying can sometimes come along with these when your little one is unable to identify or express their own frustrations. This lovely Cbeebies song can help to teach young children about their emotions and how to identify what they are feeling.
Rhyme Time
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!
 If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it and you really want to show it.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
Sensory Play
Sensory Bins
A sensory bin is a shallow container that combines filler material and various small odds and ends. You fill the bin with a filler material such as sand or rice, then add items from around the house such as spoons or measuring cups. Let your child explore the items and have fun playing.
Preschool Together
Starting Pre-School
 September is such a busy time of year and for some children who may be starting pre-school, it can be quite an anxious time. This may be the first time your child has spent prolonged periods of time away from you and dropping them off might be quite stressful for you both. Separation Anxiety is a normal part of a child's development and is common between the ages of six months to three years. If your child cries a lot when you leave them, clings on or refuses to stay, the following link may give you some ways to manage this time for both you and your child.
32. Make a Den Inside or Outside
Den building is always a fun activity that children of all ages love this can be as simple as placing a blanket over two chairs and sitting inside. Or more complex by making a fortress with the cushions from your sofa. When outdoors try making a den in the forest using sticks. Whichever way you choose children will love the space you create together.
Cheshire East Libraries
Early Years and Childcare
Childminder Pop-Up Events
Healthy Start
 If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.
You can use your card to buy:
- plain liquid cow’s milk
- fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
- fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
- infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
You can also use your card to collect:
- Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old
Common Approach to Children's Health
|
