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Healthy and Sustainable Pre‑School Scheme (HSPSS)

Evidence tells us that early years setting can create a positive, safe, and nurturing environment that promotes better developmental, educational, and emotional outcomes for babies and children. The Healthy and Sustainable Pre‑School Scheme (HSPSS) is designed to support early‑years settings to create environments that influence children’s health, well‑being, and sustainable behaviours. The Healthy and Sustainable Pre-School Scheme (HSPSS) was launched nationally in 2011 for all childcare settings in Wales. It extends the long‑established Welsh Network of Health and well-being Promoting Schools (WNHWPS) programme, previously the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes (WNHSS). The HSPSS, alongside the WNHSS, is delivered in all local authority areas in Wales.

Health depends on a sustainable environment; clean air, safe water, biodiversity and a stable climate, and therefore actions intended to support health must also support the environment and be sustainable. Developing an understanding of the links between health and sustainability within early years settings is therefore important. This also reflects our commitment to sustainable development and the wellbeing goals set out in the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015.

What is the HSPSS framework?

The HSPSS framework provides a structured, whole setting approach with clear indicators for four consistent aspects of practice: Leadership and Communication, Planning and Delivery, Ethos and Environment, and Family and Community Involvement.

These are considered during a Preliminary phase and then across seven thematic aspects of health and well-being:

  • Nutrition and Oral Health
  • Physical Activity and Active Play
  • Emotional and Mental Well-being including Relationships
  • Environment
  • Safety
  • Hygiene
  • Workplace Health and Well-being

The framework aligns with:

  • Care Inspectorate Wales
  • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • NYTH/NEST Curriculum for Wales
  • Flying Start
  • Estyn
  • National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 Years (NMS)
  • Design to Smile
  • Healthy Working Wales

What settings do we work with?

The Healthy and Sustainable Pre‑School Scheme (HSPSS) works with a wide range of early‑years settings across Wales including: Flying Start settings, Nurseries, Cylchoedd Meithrin Welsh‑medium nurseries), childminders, sessional care/playgroups.

How can my setting get involved?

All pre-school settings in Wales are encouraged to engage with the HSPSS. Whether you’re just starting out or building on existing work, support is available to you. Please contact your local Pre-school coordinator.