HEBS Children and Families Programme is working with national and local organisations and with community groups to develop strategies, put in place initiatives and produce resources that will offer support to children and families where it is needed most. This research highlights the need to work with service providers and strategic partners in the early years setting on how to promote health in the most effective way.

The research aimed to:

• establish what early years provision was available in Scotland — and where
• explore the nature and extent of health education training for staff
• define staff training needs in health promotion
• identify gaps in training provision to support staff in their health promotion role. 

This publication provides a summary of the research's key findings, implications and next steps.