How we work with early childhood services

Early Childhood Education and Care services (ECECs) can have a positive and profound influence on children’s eating behaviours and are often providing a child’s best opportunity to be physically active throughout the day. Good for Kids, Good for Life provides support for ECECs across Hunter New England Local Health District (HNE LHD) to implement the NSW Ministry of Health’s, Munch & Move program. 

Who is Good for Kids, Good for Life?

Good for Kids, Good for Life supports promotion of healthy eating and physical activity to children from 0-18 years, across the HNE LHD. Good for Kids, Good for Life began as a demonstration project between 2006-2010. Research undertaken by the program demonstrated how to support ECECs to implement practices to promote better child nutrition and physical activity. Good for Kids is now funded as part of the state-wide Healthy Children’s Initiative that was modelled on the Good for Kids demonstration project and its research findings [1] [2] [3].

The Heart of a child by Aboriginal artist, Lara Went

Lara Went from Yukul Art created this artwork for Good for Kids, Good for Life. The title of this artwork is called 'The heart of a child'.

The heart in the middle represents health, love and support surrounding everyone. Coming from the heart are lines which are positive energy radiating into the children which are the figures around the heart holding hands. The leaves represent physical activity and the fruit represents healthy eating. The circles that almost look like stars represent community groups and people coming together in support, positive guidance, love and good energy.

You will see this artwork featured throughout the Good for Kids, Good for Life communication.

[1] Bell CA, Davies L, Finch M, Wolfenden L, Francis LJ, Wiggers J.  An implementation intervention to encourage healthy eating in centre-based childcare services: impact of the Good for Kids Good for Life program. Public Health Nutrition. 2014;9:1-10
[2] Finch M, Wolfenden L, Wiggers J, Edenden D, Falkiner M, Pond N, Hardy LL, Milat A. Impact of a population based implementation intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity promoting practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental effectiveness study. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2012;9:101.
[3] Wiggers J, Wolfenden L, Campbell E, Gillham K, Bell C, Sutherland R, Hardy LL, King L, Gruiseit A, Milat AJ, Orr N. Good for Kids. Good for Life: Evaluation report 2006-2010: Evaluation Report. Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health. 2013.