Munch & Move Services of the Year announced

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) has recognised local early childhood education and care (ECEC) services for their efforts to promote physical activity and healthy eating with the announcement of the inaugural Munch & Move Services of the Year.

 

The Munch & Move program is a NSW Health initiative that supports the healthy development of children from birth to five years. Offered in ECEC centres, Munch & Move offers a fun, play-based approach to promoting healthy habits in young children and reducing their small screen time.

 

Within the NBMLHD community, 181 ECEC services have been trained in Munch & Move, and in 2023, the District’s Munch & Move team launched an awards initiative to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work ECECs are doing to support the health of local children.

 

An “astonishing” number of ECECs entered the inaugural awards and entrants were judged on how effectively they implemented healthy eating and physical activity practices into their daily routines and how they involved families and the wider community.

 

Mulgoa Preschool was named as the Early Childhood Education Service of the Year for Penrith LGA, Alasan Cottage Preschool was named as the Early Childhood Education Service of the Year for Blue Mountains LGA, and Early Learning on George was named as the Early Childhood Education Service of the Year for Hawkesbury LGA.

 

The winners each receive a trophy and a $200 Bunnings voucher to help support the implementation of healthy eating and/or physical activity experiences at the Service.

 

“These services are leading the way in providing healthy learning environments for children living within the region,” said Cassi Stewart, Health Promotion Officer with NBMLHD’s Health Promotion team. 

 

“This lays the foundation for healthy habits, which will ultimately reduce chronic disease risk later in life.”

 

A number of services were also highly commended:

 

Blue Mountains LGA:

 

• Little Superstars Early Learning Centre
• Blue Gum Montessori Preschool

 

Hawkesbury LGA:

 

• Oakville Preschool
• Western Sydney University Early Learning Centre

 

Penrith LGA:

 

• Evergreen Early Education Centre
• Little Adventurers Early Learning Centre

 

“All entrants at this year’s awards are to be congratulated. The quality of submissions was extremely high,” Ms Stewart said.

 

To find out more about Munch & Move, visit www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au or contact the NBMLHD Health Promotion Team via Facebook.