Kindergartens, day care get tick for healthy physical activity

Published on 14 April 2023

Corangamite Shire children are in good hands with Council’s Simpson, Timboon, Cobden and Skipton kindergartens and Family Day Care earning the tick of approval for keeping youngsters physically active.

The services have achieved the Physical Activity & Movement benchmark as part of the State Government’s Achievement Program.

Council Manager Community Services Katie Hearn said the milestone was a result of hard work by our Educators  who work in partnership with  families to promote  children’s wellbeing.

“Healthy physical activity in children helps promote growth and development of healthy hearts, bones, muscles and minds as well as motor skills and emotional regulation,” Ms Hearn said.

“This health priority area focuses on physical activity participation, fundamental movement skills and reducing sedentary behaviour, ultimately promoting health and wellbeing in childcare and kindergarten.”

“All of our Council- managed kindergarten programs, Child Care and Family Day Care services are involved in the Healthy Early Childhood Services Achievement Program.

“It creates a healthy environment using a whole-service approach that includes staff, students, families and the wider community. It really does set children up with healthy habits for life.”

The program guides services as they work towards benchmarks for each of six focus areas: physical activity; sun protection; safe environments; mental health and wellbeing; tobacco, alcohol and other drugs; and healthy eating and oral health.

“Our Early Childhood Services are continuously planning, taking action and reviewing results to address those priority areas,” Ms Hearn said.

For more information on the program, go to www.achievementprogram.health.vic.gov.au

The Achievement Program is supported by the Victorian Government and delivered by Cancer Council Victoria.