Support of over £2,600 available through pregnancy and early parenthood
The birth of a new baby can put financial pressure on household budgets, but there’s a wide range of financial support available from the Scottish Government to ensure children have the best start in life. Families receiving Universal Credit or certain benefits could be eligible to more than £2,600 in financial support during pregnancy and […]
Lunchbox Little Wins
Back-to-school lunches can quickly become a daily battle between what you know they should eat and what will actually come home with an empty wrapper. Lily Payen’s Feeding Tiny Bellies: School Lunches is packed with more than 100 practical ideas designed with little appetites in mind.We’ve picked two fun, fuss-free recipes to try: Pizza Bagel […]
Training support for up to 2,400 parents
Up to 2,400 parents will be able to access training at colleges across Scotland to enter or progress in work. As part of the Scottish Government’s mission to eradicate child poverty, a total of £10 million is being invested in the college sector through the Raising Income through Skills and Education (RISE) initiative. This helps […]
Independent review of maternity services begins
A nationwide review of Scotland’s maternity services begins today, examining how care can be improved for women, babies and families. Chaired by maternal and child health expert Professor Christine McCourt, the independent review will take a whole-system approach, drawing on data, evidence and the direct experiences of women, families and staff at every level of […]
Winter heating help for over 1 million people
An estimated 1.4 million payments will be made to people across Scotland to help with heating their homes this winter, with payments set to begin from October. The Scottish Government’s unique package of winter heating benefits provides guaranteed support to pensioners, low-income households and families with disabled children and young people. Pension Age Winter […]
Seven Everyday Essentials for a More Focused School Day
When classroom concentration dips, the usual response may be to buy new stationery or introduce a stricter study timetable. However, hydration, sleep, food, movement and a child’s surroundings can also affect how prepared they feel to learn. Yusuf Okhai, Managing Director at ION8, says physical and emotional preparation should not be overlooked. “A student’s environment and […]
Head lice cases set to spike by 30% in September
With children back to school it is safe to say we are about to see a massive spike in head lice cases! Head lice expert Dani Knapp, whose family business Nitty Gritty have been helping families tackle head lice for over 25 years, explains why cases become so extreme in September and more importantly how […]
Food Allergies: What Every Parent Needs to Know
A food allergy diagnosis can leave parents feeling frightened, overwhelmed and full of questions. Suddenly every meal, birthday party and school trip can feel like something that needs careful planning. According to paediatric allergist Dr Alice Hoyt, those feelings are completely understandable – but they don’t have to define family life. “No parent wants this […]
Parents say family mealtimes are a major source of stress
Cooking, meal planning and food shopping are among the biggest weekday frustrations for UK parents, according to new research commissioned by Very Lazy. The survey of 2,000 UK parents and households found women are almost twice as likely as men to describe getting dinner on the table as a daily source of stress. While 84% […]
Welcome to School Bag
Around 47,000 children starting Primary One in the next academic year, 2027-28, will be the first to receive a Welcome to School backpack in a variety of colours, to help them start school feeling excited, supported and ready to learn. Procurement of the first bags is now underway following engagement with children, families and teachers […]
Surveys to explore families’ experiences of smartphones, social media and going online
Families are being invited to share their experiences of using smartphones, social media and the internet through surveys aiming to identify what support they need to stay safe online. The first survey explores how children and young people use screens, apps and social media, as well as assessing the possible effects on their wellbeing and […]
Ask the Nutritionist – Let Summer Be Summer: How to Handle Treats Without the All-Day Snack-Fest
The school gates have shut for eight weeks, and the ice cream van has already learned the exact time your children’s hearing becomes superhuman. Welcome to the summer holidays people. Lovely in theory, a little feral in practice. Here is something no one seems to tell us about – the biggest change in summer is not […]