FREE DIGITAL MAGAZINE FOR FAMILIES IN ESSEX SUMMER HOLIDAY2023 DIARY DATES CYCLING IN ESSEX ELEGANT LIVING ROOMS IS YOUR CHILD TOO ILL FOR SCHOOL? FREE MAGAZINE FOR PARENTS IN ESSEX BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE 105
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/kidaroundmagazine /kidaroundmag official.kidaround KidAround Magazine is a digital monthly publication Tel: 07557 053044 | [email protected]. Disclaimer: The copyright and contents of this magazine, including artwork, adverts, logos and articles, when generated by the KidAround team remain with KidAround. Views expressed in editorial and articles are those of the contributor or advertiser and not necessarily of the publisher. The listings, content and advertising in the magazine are for information and advice only. Inclusion does not imply a recommendation from Trew Publishing or its staff. All advertisements and editorial content are accepted in good faith and on the basis that the advertised goods and services are as stated by the advertisers. Contact Us (We are a friendly bunch) [email protected] [email protected] Tel:07557 053044 Anna xx How were your summer holidays? DId you embrace the chance to have the kids home and got right to work, or were you crossing off the days like you were serving a prison sentence? I felt a bit of both. For those of you that have a child starting school this year. We hope they settle in their new environment and you enjoy your freedom. With the changing of the seasons, we've compiled some articles on how to design a sophisticated living space (page 4), how to prepare your garden for winter (page 15), how to determine if your child is too ill to go to school (page 22), as well as some delicious autumnal favourite recipes (page 13). With the weather getting cooler (although it's currently 27 degrees as I write this), it doesn't mean days out need to stop! You can still get out and about with the family and we can help with our cycle in Essex article (page 9) with routes for all levels of cyclists. You can also fill your diary with things to do using our diary dates on page 18. Our next issue will be full of half term activities and som e spooky fun things to do. If you want to receive it direct to your email just subscribe by hitting the button under my photo. See you soon Hello Readers, 15 20 8 Subscribe here Cycling in Essex 4 Gardening tips Too ill for school? CONTENTS Living Room Inspiration
4 Back to School Issue 2023 • www.kidaround.biz TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL [email protected] A living room is often said to be the heart of a family’s home. As it is the room that pumps life into both your private and social life, many wish for it to feel and look as special as it possibly can be. However, achieving that perfect balance of comfort and aesthetic is no easy task. With that in mind, here are some specialist tips around the topic of arranging your dream living room. Think about your needs Determine what furniture is best for you - Firstly, think about what furniture is best for you. Do you need cosy, modern living room furniture or would you prefer something fun and vibrant? Preferences will inevitably change from family to family, but it is important to accommodate what you partly envision before anything else. Consider spacing - According to how big your living room space is, agree on whether you will need a big, small, or square couch in your living room. For example, if your room is large, it is obviously best to search for large living room ideas. What we ultimately learn from this is that spacing is imperative to your plan. There are two types of spacing to be aware of: positive and negative. Positive spacing is where your furniture will go, whilst negative spacing is the empty space left in the room. Considering spacing is ultimately beneficial because it Experts reveal how to arrange your PERFECT living room
DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING www.kidaround.biz • Back to school Issue 2023• 5 allows you to visualise what should go where. How should you arrange your living room furniture? Avoid facing everything towards a television - Try to avoid facing all your furniture towards the television. One way to do this is by arranging your seats in either a U-shape or an L-shape. These types of arrangements work well for directing one’s eye to another prominent part of your room – a fireplace for instance. Do not let technology dominate – As we live in the 21st century, technology is pretty much unavoidable everywhere we go. Most family living rooms tend to include a television or other technological devices. The advice here is to include technological devices in your living room if that is what you want, but do not allow them to dominate your spacing. Instead, if you have the spacing to allow for it, arrange for some built-in shelves to put your devices on. Cabinets and sideboards – what to consider Grab your guests’ attention – Of course, we agree that comfort comes first. However, if you want to grab your guests’ attention from time to time, and you do not own the luxury of a fireplace or another architecturally attractive feature, you can turn to custommade cabinets or sideboards. Perhaps they can help to hold a collection of ornaments, or indeed any objects of personal importance. Either way, with them being there, you have added that little bit extra to your ideal living room. Always consider measurements – Remember to bear in mind that if you are planning to add specific objects to your cabinet, you need to make sure that they will fit. Measuring said objects is a very simple step, but it is one that many people forget. Also, be sure to note the difference in height between the shelves of your cabinet. Do not worry about size proportion – Do not panic if you feel that the cabinet’s size is not proportionate to the rest of the room. Woodworks often tend to look bigger when they are empty. Try not to put same-scale scale items side by side – When placing objects on your cabinet, try not to place items of the same scale beside one another. By doing you will create a stimulating effect that both you and your guests will love. Advice by home furnishing experts Englanderline
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Section Title 8 Back to school Issue 2023 • www.kidaround.biz TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL [email protected] Cycling with the family in Essex Cycling is a wonderful activity for families to enjoy together while getting some all important exercise. Here in Essex, we are fortunate to have a wide variety of excellent cycling routes that are great for families and will hopefully help expend some of the kids' excess energy. We suggest the following few: Braintree There are many pretty villages to explore as well as exploring the castle grounds at Castle Hedingham. However, for a safe, gentle ride, try the Flitch Way (15 miles) which runs from Dunmow through to Great Notley where you can stop at the railway cafe for some much needed refreshments, once recharged you can then set off to Great Notley Discovery Centre for a picnic and more fun adventures. This is a relatively flat route and ideal for all levels - although to do the full route will probably be too much for the younger rider. Chelmsford Chelmsford City have lots of routes available with maps available on their website. There are short, medium and long route options. The shorter routes are great for younger children. Once you know your child/children are ready you can try longer rides. Each route takes you through some of Chelmsford’s prettiest scenery and better still, they avoid roads. I particularly like the Hylands route as you can make it a full day of exploring, playing the park and enjoying a picnic. Perfect for all ages. View a map here 8 Back to school Issue 2023 • www.kidaround.biz TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL [email protected]
DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING www.kidaround.biz • Back to school Issue 2023• 9 Colchester There some wonderful picturesque routes including; Flatford Mill where you can take a leisurely ride along the lock or for advanced riders, why not try the Painters Trail (69 miles), you can ride through the scenic villages where some of the most famous landscape artists; John Constable, Sir Alfred Munnings and Thomas Gainsborough got their inspiration. There's also Colchester Sports Park (I am yet to visit) which looks amazing and has something for everyone. They offer bookings of adaptive bicycles for people with disabilities. As well as a dedicated 'learn to ride' track for young ones. There's also a pump track to help build strength and skills. To find out more click here Hadleigh Park Cycle like the Olympians of 2012 as this is where the mountain biking took place. The trails have been improved and expanded since the games to accommodate all skill levels. Riding on the railways is free. For the more advanced rider, try The Olympic Mountain Bike course which was created to put the world's greatest athletes to the test and is built of crushed sandstone. Each lap comprises a climb that is almost 1.7 km long and includes a number of abrupt, tricky descents. They have also labeled each path into levels: blue is the easiest and black is the hardest. CYCLING IN ESSEX
10 Back to school Issue 2023 • www.kidaround.biz TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL [email protected] Harlow Harlow Town Park covers 164 acres and is a great place to visit in any season. There are attractive scenic landscapes, river walks and views, a paddling pool (open in the summer season), skateboard park, Pets’ Corner, Harlow Showground, café and an adventure playground. The outdoor bandstand provides public entertainment including jazz, pop and rock concerts. You can also cycle the River Stort with towpaths that provide a pleasant off-road leisure route just to the North of the Town. More adventurous cyclists can follow the towpath to Roydon Mill. Maldon The Maldon District offers a mix of cycling routes for all ages and abilities, from circular tours to long distance routes. Most of the routes are on quiet country lanes or cycle paths which allow you to enjoy the Maldon District to the full. Whether it's to explore our historic maritime towns and traditional marshland villages, or visit the wild low-lying Dengie marshes, there's always somewhere new to explore in the Maldon District. Why not try the BMX track to learn new skills, with it's up and ramps. To find maps and info head online here Tendring This traffic-free route takes you down to The Esplanade and continues along the coast all the way to Jaywick. With magnificent sea views, this route is perfect for young cyclists because the path is flat, wide and traffic-free. Now you have some ideas on where to go, what are you waiting for? Dust of the bike and get cycling! 10 Back to school Issue 2023 • www.kidaround.biz TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL [email protected] CYCLING IN ESSEX
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DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING www.kidaround.biz • Back to school Issue 2023• 13 Section Title Moroccan chicken Serves 4 An exciting way to introduce new flavours / cuisines to the family, this dish is easy and an instant crowd pleaser! • 4 chicken breast • 1 can chopped tomatoes • 60g dried apricots - chopped • 1 large red pepper – sliced into strips • 1 red onion • 3 garlic cloves • 1 tsp cumin • 1 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp cinnamon. • Fresh coriander - Preheat the oven to 180°c Chop the onion and place half into a tagine / crock pot. Pour on half the can of chopped tomatoes. Place chicken / rest of the onion, apricots, sliced red pepper and garlic on top. Season with spices now before adding rest of tomatoes, mix together and garnish with coriander Place in oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes Serve with Cous Cous and feta cheese / natural yogurt Top tip – Mix garden / petit pois peas and mint as a side dish to really bring out the Moroccan flavour or add chillies to the dish for a more spicy kick! Carrot and parsnip soup with honey Serves 6 Nothing warms you like a bowl of thick soup with crusty bread, a must in the autumn months! • 10 parsnips • 4 carrots • 2 tbsp, runny honey • 1 tbsp. oil • 1 white onion • 1 pint vegetable stock • salt and pepper - Preheat the oven to 180°c Peel the parsnips and carrots roughly chop. Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add the parsnips and carrots and par boil for about 5 minutes. After par-boiling the parsnips and carrots, drain them place them on the baking tray and drizzle over the honey and oil. Add some salt and pepper and optionally a dash of cinnamon. Allow to roast for about 40 minutes or until they are soft brown / golden Add the vegetable stock to a pint of boiling water. Chop and sweat the onion until golden in the same pan used to boil the carrot and parsnips Add the roasted parsnips and carrots to the pan and remove from the heat, add the vegetable stock (make sure it’s cooled enough to ensure it’s safe for blending process). Add the mixture to a blender / hand blend in pan - blend until smooth. Or if you don’t have a blender simply simmer the mixture on the hob and when everything is soft mash the vegetables for a chunkier soup. Heat the soup on the hob and serve with crusty bread. Warming Crumble Serves 6 You can’t go wrong with a warming oaty crumble in the colder months, a firm family favourite! For the filling • 6 Bramley cooking apples, peeled, quartered and cored • 2tsp cinnamon • 100g Demerara sugar • 300g blackberries For the crumble • 50g plain flour • 100g butter • 75g unrefined golden caster sugar • 100g oats • 50g ground almonds. - Preheat the oven to 180°c In a bowl mix together the apples and berries with the sugar and cinnamon ensuring an even coating.Transfer the fruit into a baking dish. Mix together the flour, sugar and butter by hand or use a blender. Add the oats and almonds to the mixture and stir in. Place the topping on the fruit and place in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden on top. Serve with ice-cream or custard. Share your favourite recipes with us at [email protected] Heart warming recipes to keep the family happy this Autumn!
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DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING www.kidaround.biz • Back to school Issue 2023• 15 GREAT DAYS OUT Autumn garden jobs ready for winter As summer disappears over the horizon and the leaves gather their autumn colours, gardeners’ thoughts turn surprisingly to Spring! Essential jobs done now to keep the outside space looking great and have an impact on the new growth. So let’s have a look at a few important autumn tasks: 1. Take up and compost the carpet of leaves regularly. They will only smother your lawn and beds if you leave them. Compost them down and dig them in to your soil, this provides rich nutrients for new growth. 2. Prepare your autumn soil planting areas with a fertiliser as spring bulbs should be planted now. Daffodils, iris, hyacinth, frascari, freesia,crocus and tulips to name a few should be planted now in large numbers ready for a stunning spring explosion. 3. Autumn is a great time to repair your lawn as the grass slows but the roots remain active in the still warm soil. Feed the grass with a flow release lawn feed for best results. You can now sow new seeds but remove stones and lawn weeds before doing so. Now is also a good time to scarify your lawn as it will be slightly damp. This removes unwanted weeds and moss and allows you to add new seeds and lawn food. This process also strengthens the roots as more moisture can reach them. 4. The heat of the summer sun is months away so this is a great time to plant new trees and shrubs. The next few months give them plenty of time to establish themselves before the heat returns. 5. If you have a pond, it's time to cover it with netting to prevent leaves falling into the water. Also tidy up a aquatic plants both of which will reduce rotting and increased nitrogen. Place a ball or float in the water to maintain a hole when the water freezes. 6. Carry out a wind check to see if a windbreak is needed or vulnerable plants are to be moved to more sheltered areas. Check out the fencing and posts to see if repairs needed which can be done before the cold weather hits. 7. Autumn is a great time for kids to be out in the garden helping with the chores. Now the weather is cooler and soil wet and messy - kids love it! They can help rake and compost leaves ready for the flower beds. Planting bulbs is also great fun, they can learn about the different types and watch the beautiful beds bloom they helped create. You can also ask them to be responsible for keeping the bird table topped up and keep an eye out and helping other wildlife such as hedgehogs. Fabulous healthy fun and not a gadget in sight. 8. Gardeners’ love the change in seasons and look forward to what each one brings, Autumn is my favourite.
16 Back to school Issue 2023 • www.kidaround.biz TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL [email protected] Now – Thurs 25 The Essex Big Weekend Fancy a free day out with friends or family? Enter the Essex Big Weekend ballot for your choice to win free tickets to Essex’s best attractions. Hurry you only have until the 25th to enter! FIND OUT MORE HERE Now - Sat 27 Play in the park Every Saturday, children and families can join in with free games, have fun, move more, and make friends. It’s the perfect way to start the weekend and to enable communities to get active. FIND OUT MORE HERE Now– 1 (Dec) Under Siege Visit this new temporary display to mark the 375th anniversary of the epic Siege of Colchester. With a range of objects from the period on display including a letter written by Thomas Fairfax, displayed for the first time. Colchester Castle FIND OUT MORE HERE Now – 14 January 2024 Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games Visit Colchester Castle’s new exhibition and discover what a day at the Roman Games would have looked and felt like. Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games features the incredible Pompeii Murmillo gladiator helmet on loan from the British Museum, alongside many other inspiring objects from the Colchester Museums collection and beyond. Colchester Castle FIND OUT MORE HERE Now – 18 January 2024 The Colchester Globes Internationally renowned artist, Will Teather brings his unique artwork to Colchester for the very first time and two of his globes will be available to view at Hollytrees Museum and just inside the entrance to Colchester Castle. FIND OUT MORE HERE Thurs 14 & Fri 15 Heritage Open Day Backstage Tour As part of Heritage Open Days let them take you behind the scenes to explore the backstage secrets of what makes a spectacular production. Harlow Playhouse, CM20 1LS. FIND OUT MORE HERE Thurs 14, 21, 28 Open Thursdays The Gardens are open to visitors on Thursdays. Visitors enjoy the tranquility of the Gardens and seeing the Trust's volunteers hard at work. Hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes available. The Gardens of Easton Lodge, Little Easton, CM6 2BB FIND OUT MORE HERE Sat 16 & Sun 17 Motor Show Vehicles from classic cars and vintage bikes, to old agricultural machinery; allowing visitors to step back in time as they discover vehicles from the past, in a venue with more than 1,000 years of history. This is a fundraiser for charity. Markshall Estate, Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG FIND OUT MORE HERE Fill your diary with things to do Listings where correct at time of publishing. Please do click on links and check with the event organiser before leaving to ensure it is still correct. Some evenst also require advance booking. Enjoy your day out and don't forget to mention us when booking/enquiring! September
www.kidaround.biz • Summer Holidays Issue 2023• 17 Sat 16 Vulcan XL426 Summer TaxiRun come along and hear XL426's Olympus engines howl at full power and see the Vulcan's brake parachute bring XL426 to a halt. Viewing will be from the Trust's exclusive visitor area in front of its hangar. London Southend Airport, SS2 6YF FIND OUT MORE HERE Sat 16 & Sun 17 Heritage Open Days: Peake's House Timber-framed house in the Dutch Quarter. Originally three weavers’ cottages, the earliest dating from the late 14thcentury. Landmark Trust. 10.00 – 16.00. FIND OUT MORE HERE Sat 16 Cultural Heritage Day Backstage Tour Tread the boards, glimpse into our dressing rooms, and walk centre stage with a backstage tour at Chelmsford Theatre. Experience the magic of going behind the scenes at our theatre. Chelmsford Theatre, CM1 1JG FIND OUT MORE HERE Sat 16 & Sat 23 Byrhtnoth's Legendary Viking Tour Discover the intriguing world of the Vikings and Saxons and learn the terrifying but moving story of the Battle of Maldon. The 2-mile walking tour is wheelchair friendly. Dressing as Viking or Saxon is optional! 6pm – 7pm. St Mary's Church, CM9 5JB FIND OUT MORE HERE Sat 16 Hylands Open Estate Day Opening their doors to reveal the secrets behind its history with a monthly exhibition. The Stables, home to a vibrant community of artists, designers, and makers, will be open for exploring and live music will be on throughout the day in the courtyard. 10am – 3pm Hylands Estate, CM2 8WQ. FIND OUT MORE HERE Sun 17 Open Day Visit The Packing Shed which is an old, restored oyster packing shed in the Blackwater estuary just off Mersea Island. Boats leave from the hammerhead / jetty in West Mersea. No need to book, just turn up. 1pm- 5pm FIND OUT MORE HERE DIARY DATES
Sun 17 Open Day: Apples and Bees A fun celebration of our walled kitchen garden orchard and its produce. Enjoy the activities and stalls - seeing and tasting the huge range of local apples; helping to make and take away juice; apple cake tasting; jam and jelly tombola; and learning about honey bees and their support for their Queen. The Gardens of Easton Lodge, CM6 2BB FIND OUT MORE HERE Fri 22 Open Day Explore the grounds including three acres of beautifully maintained gardens in a historic countryside setting, with mature trees surrounding the many plant and water features. There are also woodland walks leading to the tidal River Chelmer. 10:30am – 4:30pm Beeleigh Abbey, Gardens, CM9 6LL FIND OUT MORE HERE Fri 22 – Sun 24 Autumn Diesel Gala Their Autumn Diesel Gala is a spectacular 3-day event featuring our home fleet, alongside some incredible visiting locomotives which will be put through their paces over some of the most challenging gradients in preservation! 9:30- 4:30pm. Epping & Ongar Railway FIND OUT MORE HERE Sat 23 The Free Family Fun Festival This family favourite returns to Colchester's Castle Park. Save the date and enjoy what is, probably, the very best free family fun event Colchester has to offer! 11am-4pm Colchester Castle Park. FIND OUT MORE HERE Sat 23 Fire Station Open Day Learn more about your local firefighters and see a fire engine up close. 10am - 4pm Colchester Fire Station, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex CO1 1XT Free turn up event Sat 23 Open Day The regular twice a month openings include the chance to pop in for a Tea, Coffee or Cake with good views of the Burnham Yacht Harbour. Members of the Crew will be available in the Station for a chat, plus tours of the boat houses to see our Atlantic 85 or D-Class will also be available. 10am – 1pm RNLI Burnham-on-Crouch Lifeboat Station Sun 24 Dog Show Their much-loved dog show is returning with classes including "best young handler" and "waggiest tail", accessories & toys for your pampered pooches, plus other trade stalls, children's entertainer and inflatables. Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BZ FIND OUT MORE HERE Thurs 28 & Fri 29 The Whispering Jungle Concrete Youth's new multisensory theatre production, The Whispering Jungle, brings together ASMR, sensory play and sensory puppets in an immersive touring production for young audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Mercury Theatre, CO1 1PT FIND OUT MORE HERE Sun 1 – Sun 31 Pumpkin Picking Village We've gone Pumpkin Picking Mad! Discover more jawdropping giant pumpkins, diddy gourds and deformed squashes than you ever knew existed. Plan an autumnal photoshoot amongst a variety of selfie set-ups, sip pumpkin spiced lattes and shop for Halloween essentials. Dog friendly sessions also available. Marsh Farm, CM3 5WP FIND OUT MORE HERE Sun 1 Calm at the Castle First Sunday of each month Visit Colchester Castle on the first Sunday of the month for a little calm at the Castle. Suitable for visitors with ASD, the session provides an opportunity to explore the museum at a quieter time. Colchester Castle FIND OUT MORE HERE 18 Summer Holidays Issue 2023 • www.kidaround.biz TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL [email protected] DIARY DATES October
DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING www.kidaround.biz • Back to school Issue 2023• 19 Sat 7 Open Day The regular twice a month openings include the chance to pop in for a Tea, Coffee or Cake with good views of the Burnham Yacht Harbour. Members of the Crew will be available in the Station for a chat, plus tours of the boat houses to see our Atlantic 85 or D-Class will also be available. 10am – 1pm RNLI Burnham-on-Crouch Lifeboat Station Sun 8 Small Train Day It's not just small trains – one of their full sized steam locomotives will also be in action with the Freight Train giving unlimited rides all day. 10am – 5pm. East Anglian Railway Museum, CO6 2DS FIND OUT MORE HERE Fri 13 – Sun 15 Harwich International Shanty Festival The small historic Essex town of Harwich is home to the U.K's Premier Shanty Festival, attracting artists and audience from all over the world. With a colourful array of singers, musicians, pirates, street theatre and more. Harwich. FIND OUT MORE HERE Fri 13 & Sat 14, Thurs 19 &Fri 20 Cammas Hall Resurrected Book for 'Cammas Hall Farm Resurrected' if you dare! As night falls on the patch, Halloween fun haunts the farm. Explore our pumpkin patch to find the gourd of your dreams! Our family friendly Wicked Walkway is open for you to take a stroll. Cammas Hall Farm, CM227JT. FIND OUT MORE HERE Sat 15 Hylands Open Estate Day Opening their doors to reveal the secrets behind its history with a monthly exhibition. The Stables, home to a vibrant community of artists, designers, and makers, will be open for exploring and live music will be on throughout the day in the courtyard. 10am – 3pm Hylands Estate, CM2 8WQ. FIND OUT MORE HERE See more events listed at www.kidaround.biz List your event for free here too
Section Title 20 Back to school Issue 2023 • www.kidaround.biz TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL [email protected] Is my child too ill for school? Not every illness needs to keep your child from school. If you keep your child away from school, be sure to inform the school on the first day of their absence. Use common sense when deciding whether or not your child is too ill to attend school. Ask yourself the following questions. • Is my child well enough to do the activities of the school day? If not, keep your child at home. • Does my child have a condition that could be passed on to other children or school staff? If so, keep your child at home. • Would I take a day off work if I had this condition? If so, keep your child at home. Coughs and colds It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or common cold. But if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes. Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues and to wash their hands regularly. High temperature If your child has a high temperature, keep them off school until it goes away. Chickenpox If your child has chickenpox, keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over. This is usually about 5 days after the spots first appeared. Cold sores There's no need to keep your child off school if they have a cold sore. Encourage them not to touch the blister or kiss anyone while they have the cold sore, or to share things like cups and towels. Conjunctivitis You don't need to keep your child away from school if they have conjunctivitis. Do get advice from your pharmacist. Encourage your child not to rub their eyes and to wash their hands regularly. COVID-19 If your child has mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, and feels well enough, they can go to school. Your child should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and they either: • have a high temperature • do not feel well enough to go to school or do their normal activities With kids back at school and the change of seasons, we will start to see those all too familiar coughs, colds and viruses. It can feel confusing as to whether they should stay home or send them off to school. Here's some guidance to help, although, do always check with your school to be sure.
DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING www.kidaround.biz • Back to school Issue 2023• 21 Ear infection If your child has an ear infection and a high temperature or severe earache, keep them off school until they're feeling better or their high temperature goes away. Hand, foot and mouth disease If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease but seems well enough to go to school, there's no need to keep them off. Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues straight away and to wash their hands regularly. Head lice and nits There's no need to keep your child off school if they have head lice. You can treat head lice and nits without seeing a GP. Do make the school aware Impetigo If your child has impetigo, they'll need treatment from a GP, often with antibiotics. Keep them off school until all the sores have crusted over and healed, or for 48 hours after they start antibiotic treatment. Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and not to share things like towels and cups with other children at school. Ringworm If your child has ringworm, see your pharmacist unless it's on their scalp, in which case you should see a GP. It's fine for your child to go to school once they have started treatment. Scarlet fever If your child has scarlet fever, they'll need treatment with antibiotics from a GP. Otherwise they'll be infectious for 2 to 3 weeks. Your child can go back to school 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Slapped cheek syndrome (fifth disease) You don't need to keep your child off school if they have slapped cheek syndrome because, once the rash appears, they're no longer infectious. But let the school or teacher know if you think your child has slapped cheek syndrome. Sore throat You can still send your child to school if they have a sore throat. But if they also have a high temperature, they should stay at home until it goes away. A sore throat and a high temperature can be symptoms of tonsillitis. Threadworms You don't need to keep your child off school if they have threadworms. Speak to your pharmacist, who can recommend a treatment. Vomiting and diarrhoea Children with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from school until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days (48 hours). Tell the school It’s important to inform the school if your child is going to be absent. On the first day of your child's illness, telephone the school to tell them that your child will be staying at home. The school may ask about the nature of the illness and how long you expect the absence to last. If it becomes clear that your child will be away for longer than expected, phone the school as soon as possible to explain this. Advice by NHS
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