Last week we shared news of the Hertfordshire Library Services' Ready Reads scheme.

Here is a message from Croxley Green Library with more information including details of how to take part:

If children do not already have library membership this can be done online very easily by visiting our website.

Parents can order books for their child and themselves using an online form and then collect from a selected library. The books are collected at the library entrance and you are expected to provide your own bag. Staff will remain socially distant and will be wearing face coverings during the collection process.

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives/other-library-services/ready-reads.aspx

This service is proving incredibly popular and we are already supporting families with some home schooling and plenty of reading for pleasure requests including

• • Any books about the Polar regions to help us with home schooling would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much.

  • She is 6 and half, in year two, could you please choose some reading books for home schooling? thank you

We are able to supply age appropriate reading books rather than specific school reading schemes and will do our best to match our available books to specific subject requests, based on stock in our libraries. This will need to be on a first come, first served basis.

If families are unable to access online services, please contact us on 0300 123 4049 and a member of our team will be able to help fill out the form.

Library membership also enables access to our free e-library where Children can read or listen to books from BorrowBox

Anything you as a school can do to promote these services would be greatly appreciated.

Details of library opening times and up to date information can be found on our website

For the latest government guidance, please click on the link below.

Advice from Herts Valley NHS

Now we are in winter many children may be experiencing common illnesses like coughs and colds. We know that some parents and carers aren’t always sure what to do when their child is unwell. A new leaflet has been published to help them spot common winter illnesses and how they can treat their child at home.

https://hertsvalleysccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/childrens-health/childrens-winter-illness

It is also important they know where to go for medical advice when they need it and what to do in an emergency. We understand this can be a little confusing during the coronavirus pandemic. We’d like to reassure parents that the NHS is still providing safe care when they need it.

As well as providing clarity on where to go for medical advice, there is a host of information in the leaflet from how to treat colds and earache at home, to how to spot serious conditions such as meningitis and sepsis. There is also information on coronavirus.