Leitchville Pre-School's healthy achievement

Published on 12 February 2020

Leitchville Pre-School has received recognition for completing the Physical Activity and Movement priority area of the Healthy Early Childhood Services Achievement Program.
 
This latest accolade adds to the achievement in the Healthy Eating/Oral Health and Sun Protection priority areas previously received by the Leitchville Pre-School.
 
The pre-school in 2019 also achieved an 'Exceeding' rating under the National Quality Framework, exceeding all elements of the seven standards assessed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood’s Rating and Assessment program.
 
Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said that this latest achievement recognises the commitment of the Leitchville Pre-School to further embed health and wellbeing within the pre-school service.
 
“Council is proud of the achievements of the Leitchville Pre-School to actively promote and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for children and families using the service,” Mayor Learmonth said.
 
“This demonstrates the commitment of Council, educators and parents to all work together to ensure that our children have the best possible start to their education journey in Gannawarra.”
 
Some of the changes that have been made within the service to achieve recognition for the Physical Activity and Movement priority area include:

• Adoption of a Physical Activity and Movement Policy;
• Adopting an Active Travel Statement;
• Conducting an Active Play Audit;
• Eliminating any screen-based activities from the pre-school program;
• Developing a Drop Park Walk Active Travel route to Pre-School;
• Implementing a FLOW program to assist inclusion of children with a disability;
• Establishment of a successful Bush Kinder Program;
• Constructing a bike track and mud kitchen within the pre-school yard;
• The completion of a new building which better supports indoor/outdoor play; and
• Incorporating Yoga and Gym sessions and other active activities into the excursion program

The statewide Achievement Program is supported by the Victorian Government and delivered by Cancer Council Victoria. The program provides a framework to support Victorian workplaces, schools and early childhood services to create healthy places for working, learning and living.
 
The Leitchville Pre-School currently has 20 four-year-old children and 16 three-year-old children enrolled in 2020. The teaching staff of four, including a kindergarten inclusion support worker is led by Educator Kim Mason. 
 
“These awards recognise that even a small pre-school can achieve great outcomes through passionate staff who develop strong partnerships and collaboration with families and the wider community,” Mayor Learmonth said.
 
The Leitchville Pre-School is currently working towards the remaining priority areas of the Achievement Program - Tobacco Control, Safe Environments and Mental Health and Wellbeing.