Burton Day Nursery

Tips to encourage communication with your children

🌊 Heatwave safety: keeping children safe around water
During periods of warm weather, more children and families head to the water to cool off - but water can pose serious dangers. During May half-term alone, 19 people lost their lives, including 14 teenagers. This is a timely reminder for both early years providers and families to stay vigilant and share clear, consistent safety messages.

Young children need constant supervision around water - always keep them within arm’s reach. Older children and teenagers may be more independent but can still underestimate risks, particularly in open water.

Key water safety tips:

✅ Stop and think before going near water
👨‍👩‍👧 Stay together with a friend or family member
🌊 Float to Live - encourage children to practise this skill
📞 Call 999 or 112 if someone is in trouble in the water

Encourage safer choices such as lifeguarded beaches, swimming pools or lidos. You can also support learning through engaging resources. Here are a few ideas:
Is this safe or unsafe? - get thinking about the safer and less safe ways to behave near the water
Spot the dangers - work together to identify and describe dangers near the water
Seaside Safety Song
Cold water impact - learn what happens to your body in cold water
It’s also worth considering what children wear in the water. Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) highlights that bright, high-contrast swimwear can help children stay more visible in pools and open water, making it easier to keep a close eye on them. Find out more by clicking here.

Water Safety Advice And Tips - Know The Risks Get sea safety and cold water safety advice from the RNLI’s experts, learn how to Float to Live and find out more about staying safe at the coast.

Advice on screen time

On 27 March 2026, the Government published advice on screen use for children aged 0-5 on the Best Start in Life website.

The early years are a critical period for children’s development. The advice offers practical, non-judgemental support to help families balance screen use with other activities.

The advice is informed by an expert panel’s independent report, which draws on quantitative and qualitative research, including engagement with parents, carers and stakeholders.

beststartinlife.gov.uk

Happy Easter to all our families 🐣🐥