Downside Pre-school Achieves the My Smile Award: Promoting Healthy Habits for Life
At Downside Pre-school, we are proud to announce that we have been awarded the My Smile Award, a nationally recognised NHS initiative that supports and celebrates oral health promotion in early years settings. This award is a reflection of the commitment we have made to helping children and families build strong, healthy habits that support not just dental care, but overall wellbeing.
The My Smile Award focuses on key areas of early oral health, encouraging regular tooth brushing, promoting healthy eating and drinking, and building positive attitudes toward visiting the dentist. Through practical activities and meaningful conversations, we embed these messages into everyday life at pre-school, making learning about health and hygiene both fun and accessible.
Supporting Oral Health Through Everyday Activities
One of the core principles of the My Smile Award is helping children feel confident and capable when it comes to caring for their own health. At Downside Pre-school, we have introduced a range of activities that promote these messages in age appropriate, engaging ways.
For example, our healthy wrap making activity, children are offered a selection of salad ingredients and a quarter wrap. They are encouraged to choose what they would like to include and assemble it themselves. This gives children a sense of independence, encourages them to try new foods, and makes healthy eating enjoyable. We have found that even children who are hesitant about snack time are more likely to participate when they are actively involved in making their food.
We also integrate oral health education through playful learning. Children use a large model set of teeth and a toothbrush to practice brushing techniques. We sometimes use shaving foam or even real toothpaste to demonstrate how to clean teeth properly. These activities are paired with group discussions about why it’s important to brush our teeth, what happens during a visit to the dentist, and how the food and drinks we consume affect our teeth.
Our approach is not only educational but also reassuring. By talking openly and positively about brushing and dental care, we help reduce anxiety and build familiarity with routines that children will carry into their daily lives at home.
Encouraging Healthy Choices at Snack Time
Our snack menu is carefully planned to reflect the values of the My Smile programme. Each day, children are offered a selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, and simple healthy options such as pita bread, breadsticks, crackers, and milk or water. We rotate additional fruits and vegetables throughout the week to keep variety high and engagement strong.
To extend this learning, we are now introducing gardening into our curriculum. The children have been planting and will grow their own tomatoes, which will later be used at snack time. This adds another layer to their learning, connecting nature, food, and health in a hands on, rewarding way.
Why the My Smile Award Matters for Families
Good oral health in early childhood lays the foundation for long term health and wellbeing. According to NHS guidance, dental decay is one of the most common reasons for hospital admission among children in the UK, but it is largely preventable through routine care and education.
By being part of the My Smile programme, Downside Pre-school is not only supporting children in our setting but also helping to reinforce these habits at home. We encourage parents and carers to continue the same routines, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, offering water or milk instead of sugary drinks, and visiting the dentist regularly.
We believe that this consistency between pre-school and home makes a significant impact. When children hear the same positive messages in both places, they are more likely to build lasting habits and feel confident about caring for themselves.
A Whole Community Approach to Health
Receiving the My Smile Award is a proud moment for our team, but more importantly, it’s a celebration of what we have achieved together, with children, staff, and families all playing a role.
We remain committed to helping children build independence, develop confidence, and understand the importance of health in a fun, supportive environment. Whether it’s making wraps, brushing model teeth, or talking about what happens at the dentist, every small step contributes to something much bigger: healthy, happy children who are ready to thrive.
If you are a parent looking for ways to support your child’s oral health at home, feel free to speak to any member of our team. We are always happy to offer tips, resources, and ideas to help you build on what your child is learning here at Downside Pre-school.
Together, we can keep those smiles healthy for years to come.
