Darlington 0-19 Growing Healthy Team

02/09/2026

🚽 Is your child starting Reception this September?

As part of the Best Start in Life campaign, we're sharing advice to help children get ready for school, including tips on toilet training.

Learning to use the toilet on their own can take time and practice. Every child learns at their own pace.

Find simple tips to help your child feel confident and ready for school:

👉 Read More https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/toddler/potty-training-your-child/ -to-start-potty-training

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

🎒 Getting ready to go back to school?

Returning to earlier mornings can be tricky after the holidays. A calm and consistent bedtime routine can help children and young people feel rested and ready for the school day.

🌙 Bring bedtime forward gradually
📵 Have some screen-free time before bed
📖 Choose a calm activity
⏰ Keep bedtime and wake-up times consistent

Small changes can make a difference, but remember that every family is different.

For local health and wellbeing advice and support, visit the HDFT Children’s Health Service website and select your area:

Find your local service

31/08/2026

Bank holiday ideas that don’t need a big budget 💛
Looking for something simple to do with the children over the bank holiday?
Try:

a nature treasure hunt
pavement chalk
library books
a garden picnic
den building
water play
a walk with “spot the…” challenges

Simple things still count. Sometimes they’re the bits children remember most.

29/08/2026

📙 The Little Orange Book 📙

👶🤒 Is your little one unwell this bank holiday?

We’re closed until Tuesday, but you can still access trusted advice at home.

The Little Orange Book provides reliable guidance for babies and young children when they’re feeling poorly.

📖 Download your copy here https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/680f52949de2dde32c2c7828/680f52949de2dde32c2c78e6_LOB_Booklet_24_v1.5.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawRuhCdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA3M2V2OWQ2NkIzb05naHh0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoHqI-243iVYtir-4XUuC68JOVM3m7z3GhWdnzM_DwU_r1hZhAoLaE8OIaoA_aem_lbFw_BtSCUhhp7H-KGhtUw

26/08/2026

📅 Sensory Summer: preparing for September

The move from the summer holidays back to nursery, school or college can bring changes in routines, clothing, sounds and expectations.

You could help by:

✅ Talking about the change in advance
✅ Using a simple visual countdown
✅ Practising the morning routine
✅ Checking that clothing and footwear feel comfortable
✅ Keeping familiar calming items available
✅ Scheduling quiet time after busy transition days

NHS sensory-processing resources include advice for school transitions and encourage support to be tailored to each child or young person’s individual sensory needs.

24/08/2026

“Trusted Support, In Your Pocket”

Looking for reliable info to support your child’s health and development?
The Growing Healthy App is free and built to make family life easier.

📲 What you’ll find inside:
📍 Local contacts and services (tailored to your area)
🏥 Clinic information and up-to-date contact details
🎥 Helpful videos and guidance (infant feeding, development, emotional health and more)
🍽️ Family-friendly recipes and practical tips

💡 How to get it:
Download the free Growing Healthy App today 👉🏻 https://hdftchildrenshealthservice.co.uk/download-our-app/
Or search “Children’s Health Service-HDFT” in the Apple App Store or Google Play, then select your locality to see info that fits your area

24/08/2026

“Trusted Support, In Your Pocket”

Looking for reliable info to support your child’s health and development?
The Growing Healthy App is free and built to make family life easier.

📲 What you’ll find inside:
📍 Local contacts and services (tailored to your area)
🏥 Clinic information and up-to-date contact details
🎥 Helpful videos and guidance (infant feeding, development, emotional health and more)
🍽️ Family-friendly recipes and practical tips

💡 How to get it:
Download the free Growing Healthy App today.
Search “Children’s Health Service-HDFT” in the Apple App Store or Google Play, then select your locality to see info that fits your area

22/08/2026

🌊 Watch this great video from the RNLI – it could save your life!

If you get into trouble in the water, remember:

✔️ Tilt your head back
✔️ Keep your ears in the water
✔️ Relax and breathe slowly
✔️ Move your hands and feet gently
✔️ Float until you feel calm
⭐ Remember: Float to Live!

Watch the video and share it with your friends and family.

🔗 More information https://rnli.org/water-safety/float