Government recognition for kinder

Staff and students of Cardinia Lakes Early Learning Centre are excited to complete the Healthy Achievement Program. Back: Casey Yates (chef) and Michelle Oldfield (kitchen assistant), with Lincoln, Dominik, Jett, Logan, Hadley, Tempy and Toby (front). Children: Lincoln, Dominik, Jett, Logan, Hadley, Tempy, Toby (front)

Cardinia Lakes Early Learning Centre has received State Government recognition for completing all target areas of the Healthy Early Childhood Services program.

Owner and manager of Cardinia Lakes Early Learning Centre Tamika Hicks said it was satisfying to complete the goals of the program after eight months of working hard on the requirements.

“It’s really satisfying knowing as a team we can implement things that are recommended by the World Health Organisation,” she said.

“It means we can say we provide a high quality service and actually back that up.”

The program is a framework centred around six key health areas, which include Healthy Eating and Oral Health, Physical Activity and Movement, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sun Protection, Safe Environments and Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs.

The Achievement Program framework brings together all aspects of service life in early childhood settings that are important for creating a healthy environment for all community members.

It is based on the World Health Organisation ‘Health Promoting Schools’ model and aligns with Victorian Government guidelines such as the National Quality Standard and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. We have used the framework to bring together our existing practices, processes and initiatives into a consistent whole service approach to health and wellbeing.