Early Childhood Services
The South Coast Prevention Team works across Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires to create healthier environments for children, staff and the wider community. Using a whole of service approach to health enables long-term changes to be supported in early childhood services. If you have an idea to improve the health of your early childhood service and would like the support of our team to achieve it please contact us.
Smiles 4 Miles
Smiles 4 Miles is an oral health promotion program that aims to improve the oral health of children, their families, early childhood staff and the wider community. The program is an initiative of Oral Health Victoria and is implemented locally by the South Coast Prevention Team.
Who is eligible to participate?
All kindergartens, long day care centres and family day care in Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires are eligible to participate. The program is free.
What are the benefits of participating?
• Assists to meet requirements of the National Quality Standard
• Alignment with outcomes of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia
• Support and advice from local health professionals experienced in promoting children’s oral health
• Free professional development for staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in oral health and healthy eating
• Access to practical resources to implement the program, including the Smiles 4 Miles toolkit, policy templates and curriculum ideas
• Receive a Smiles 4 Miles award from Oral Health Victoria
• Promotion of your achievements in local media
• Ability to receive advanced standing for the Food, Nutrition and Oral Health priority area of Healthy Places Healthy Futures.
To learn more about Smiles 4 Miles click here.
Healthy Places Healthy Futures
All children deserve to learn, grow and thrive in environments that support their health and wellbeing. Healthy Places Healthy Futures (formerly the Achievement Program) makes it easier for your early childhood service to bring together and strengthen what you’re doing to support health, wellbeing and learning.
Healthy Places supports a whole-service approach across six priority areas:
• Food, Nutrition and Oral Health
• Physical Activity and Movement
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Smoking and Vaping
• Sun Protection
• Sustainability and Health.
A flexible action guide is also available to address other health areas using the Healthy Places framework.
Early childhood services with recognition of priority areas achieved under the Achievement Program remain valid.
Who is eligible to participate?
All kindergartens, long day care centres and family day care in Victoria are eligible to participate. It is free.
What are the benefits of participating?
• Practical action guides that help you coordinate and build on the work you’re already doing
• Trusted resources and programs in one place, saving you time and effort
• Tailored support from a local health promotion professional to provide guidance and practical ideas
• Simple tools to track progress and share achievements with your community
• Promotional materials and recognition opportunities that demonstrate your commitment to health and wellbeing to families and your broader community
• Confidence that you’re following evidence-based practice and supporting key health and wellbeing requirements, standards and priorities
• Recognition by the Victorian Government as a Healthy Place, celebrating your commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of children.
To learn more about Healthy Places Healthy Futures and to become a member click here.
Health and Wellbeing Newsletter
The South Coast Prevention Team distribute newsletters to early childhood services in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires. The newsletters are filled with ideas and resources to help improve the health and wellbeing of children, their families and early childhood staff.
Useful Links and Resources
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation
• Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (Birth to 5 years)
• Be You
• Body Blocks by Embrace Hub
• Educators Corner (Smiles 4 Miles)
• FoodChecker
• Get Active Victoria Kids Voucher Program
• Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood
• Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS)
• Healthy Places Healthy Futures
• Kidsafe Australia
• Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education
• Nutrition Australia
• National Nutrition Foundation
• Oral Health Victoria
• Quit Victoria
• Respectful Relationships
• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
• SunSmart
• Smiles 4 Miles
• The Resilience Project
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
