A scheme designed to improve childhood health in Darlington has been expanded to include physical activity and oral health as core priorities.
Darlington Borough Council’s Healthy Early Years Catering Award, launched in 2022, now supports early years settings in promoting active play and good oral hygiene alongside healthy nutrition.
The expansion follows concerning local health data. Almost one in four reception-aged children in Darlington are overweight or obese, while around one in four five-year-olds have visible tooth decay. The hospital admission rate for tooth extractions among children in the borough is nearly double the national average.
Lorraine Hughes, Darlington’s director of public health, said too many children were experiencing preventable health problems before starting school.
“Children in our most deprived areas are almost twice as likely to be living with obesity as those in the least deprived,” she said. “This highlights the inequalities we must continue to address.”
She added that early childhood health is shaped by factors including family circumstances, access to healthy food, opportunities to be active and the development of positive habits. “Improving childhood health is not just about today, but about long-term wellbeing,” she said.
The revised scheme encourages early years environments where healthy routines become the norm for children, families and staff.
Councillor Matthew Roche, cabinet member for health and housing, said the council hoped the changes would encourage more childcare settings to take part. “Together, we can ensure children are given the very best start in life,” he said.
To support the updated standards, the council has published practical guidance, tips and local case studies to help early years staff embed healthy habits into daily routines.