While the little ones head back to classroom seating plans and sticky playtimes, parents are in the thick of it juggling drop-offs, packing PE kits and running on limited sleep. Needless to say, it's not uncommon for those pesky coughs, colds and other seasonal bugs to make their way into the household.

To help you stay one step ahead, we've pulled together our top back-to-school health tips, family wellness advice and medicine cabinet essentials, so you're ready for every sniffle, scrape and school-day surprise September has in store.

From Calpol and first-aid kits to thermometers and headlice remedies, we've cherry-picked a few of the cupboard essentials to help you prepare for a new term.

Top tips for a healthy September

• Wash hands frequently
• Cover coughs and catch sneezes in a tissue
• Stay hydrated, including between meals
• Tie hair up and avoid head-to-head contact with other children
• Encourage early nights for a substantial sleep
• Don't skip breakfast
• Pack healthy lunches
• Take a daily multivitamin

The idea of a healthy, nutritious breakfast is easy to slip down in priority when you're busy trying to get everyone dressed, pack everyone's bags and be the resident hair stylist. Instead of hurriedly eating cereal over the sink, we've come up with a healthy, easy breakfast formula to keep the whole family eating well:

• Wholegrains - porridge oats, wholegrain cereals and wholemeal toast are all great options for slow-release energy, preventing mid-morning crashes.
• Protein - think eggs, Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese and nut butters (being mindful of allergies).
• Fruit - bananas, apple slices and berries are great for fibre, while a small handul of dried fruit makes for a great on-the-go option.
• Hydration - try sticking to water, sugar-free squash, milk or a homemade smoothie packed with fruit.

Make ahead

If your morning routine is a bit of a scramble (no pun intended), why not try one of these make-ahead breakfast options so you can simply wake up and have a nutritious snack ready and waiting for you?

• Overnight oats - can be prepared the night before or a few days ahead, storing in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Greek yoghurt and fruit - wash and chop all of your fruit in advance into a fruit salad, so all you have to do is assemble on the morning.
• Muffin-tin omelettes - bake omelette mixture in a muffin tin for protein-packed snacks that can be stored in the fridge or freezer and simply reheated on the morning.
• DIY protein bars - try different recipes using oats, dried fruits and nut butters so you always have a grab-and-go breakfast option.

Most common ailments that come from 'back-to-school' germs can be treated with rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter medication. However, if you're particulary worried and want to speak to a professional for peace of mind, we offer a Pharmacy First service so you can avoid the long GP queues. With Pharmacy First, you can simply pop into your local Well Pharmacy, and one of our friendly, trained pharmacists can provide advice, support and - if suitable - treatment, for the following conditions:

• Earache
• Impetigo
• Infected insect bites
• Shingles
• Sinusitis
• Sore throat
• UTIs

Of course, if you are seriously concerned about the health of you or your child, you should always seek emergency help by either calling your GP, calling 111, or going to an urgent treatment centre.*