Ouyen Preschool putting the health of children first

Published on 04 December 2015

Ouyen Preschool are proving to be leaders in our community when it comes to looking after the health and wellbeing of children, recently becoming accredited as a Healthy Together health promoting service.

As the first early childhood service in the region to gain this accreditation, Ouyen Preschool has met 5 of the 6 health priority areas under the Healthy Together Achievement Program. 

Louise Fitzpatrick-Leech from Ouyen Preschool said signing up to the Healthy Together Achievement Program has given the service a framework to use which ensures they consider health and wellbeing holistically.

“Like many kindergartens, Ouyen Preschool has always had a strong focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of our families and of supporting families in this area. It’s all part of a holistic understanding of learning and development in early childhood. 

“The Achievement Program gives us access to support and resources. We can benchmark our work and identify areas where we have room for improvement. Mental health for example, is one area where we have certainly been prompted to do more learning.

“For a little country kinder, where we can often feel isolated, the Achievement Program helps our connections and networking. It puts Ouyen Preschool into the bigger picture.” Louise Fitzpatrick-Leech said. 

The priority areas Ouyen Preschool have been awarded to date are:

Ouyen Preschool has been presented with a plaque that outlines the priority areas reached. This is proudly displayed at the front of the service so that parents and the community know the hard work of the Preschool is supporting the health and wellbeing of the next generation.

Community Portfolio Councillor Sharyon Peart said it’s important the parents and the community get behind the Preschool and support the great work they are doing.

“There are many conflicting messages around healthy choices for children, and having such leadership as this in a community is a vital for both the children and their parents,” Cr Peart said. “Community groups such as sporting clubs also have a role to play in promoting healthy choices and healthy lifestyles for children.”

“We’re proud to say that every single early years service in our local government area have signed up to the Achievement Program and we can’t wait to see them producing similar results to Ouyen.”

If you would like more information about the Healthy Together Achievement Program please contact Jane McCracken at Sunraysia Community Health Services.

For more information visit www.healthytogethermildura.com.au

Healthy Together Mildura is funded by the Victorian Government and is a partnership between Mildura Rural City Council, Sunraysia Community Health Services and Northern Mallee Community Partnership.

ENDS

Media enquiries 
Angela Umback
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au