Munch & Move

Munch & Move is a NSW Health initiative supporting the healthy development of children from birth to five years by promoting physical activity, healthy eating and reduced screen time.

Eating well and being active are essential for healthy growth and development. By giving children the basic ‘building blocks’ for a healthy lifestyle at an early age we increase the likelihood they will continue these healthy habits throughout their lives.

Munch & Move offers training and resources to educators working in NSW early childhood education and care services. The training helps educators to implement a fun, play-based approach to supporting healthy eating and physical activity habits in young children. The Munch & Move program fits within the new National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework.

Key elements of Munch & Move include:

• A free one-day professional development workshop for up to two educators
• A comprehensive Munch & Move manual and resources including music CD, movement DVD and fact sheets
• Ongoing support from Sydney Local Health District.

The program has successfully run for six years with a progressive focus on pre-schools (2008), Long Day Care centres and Family Day Care schemes (2010-11) and Early Childhood Education and Care services (2012-14). The Munch & Move team is responsible for promoting the program, facilitating workshops and providing guidance and practical assistance for 12 months during in the implementation phase on issues ranging from assistance with presentations or policy review and development through to healthy newsletter and fundraising ideas. A grant is also offered to the service for the purchase of equipment and resources or to assist with staff relief to attend the training workshop.

If your child care service is located in Sydney Local Health District you can register for one of the next training workshops:

Inner Sydney - Thursday 31 July, 2014
Canterbury - Tuesday 4 November, 2014

For more information contact Helen Dirkis.