Early Childhood Services
The South Coast Prevention Team works across Bass Coast and South Gippsland 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 works to improve the oral health of children, their families, early childhood staff and the wider community. The program is an initiative of Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) and is implemented locally by the South Coast Prevention Team.
Who is eligible to participate in Smiles 4 Miles?
All kindergartens, long day care and family day care providers in Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires are eligible to participate. The program is free.
What are the benefits of participating in Smiles 4 Miles?
• Assistance to meet the 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.
• Participation in a program that has been developed using the latest evidence for improving children’s oral health and healthy eating.
• Access to support and advice from health professionals experienced in promoting children’s oral health.
• Help to establish healthy foundations at an early age to improve overall health and wellbeing.
• Opportunities to empower both families and children to improve their oral health and healthy eating.
• Acknowledgement of the service in the local media.
• A Smiles 4 Miles award that demonstrates commitment to improving children’s health in the community. Services that achieve their Smiles 4 Miles award will be eligible for advanced standing for the healthy eating and oral health benchmark of the Achievement Program.
To learn more about Smiles 4 Miles click here or contact us.
Achievement Program
The Achievement Program is a health and wellbeing framework that helps to create healthier environments in Victorian early childhood services for their children, staff and families. It is centred around six key health areas, which include:
• Healthy Eating and Oral Health
• Physical Activity and Movement
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Sun Protection
• Safe Environments
• Smoking, Vaping, Alcohol and Other Drugs.
Who is eligible to participate in the Achievement Program?
All kindergartens, long day care and family day care providers in Victoria are eligible to participate. The program is free.
What are the benefits of participating in the Achievement Program?
• Alignment to key policies and guidelines including the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the National Quality Standard and Quality Improvement Plans.
• Access to an online portal containing resources, tools and information to work through our program health areas.
• Help to establish healthy foundations at an early age to improve overall health and wellbeing.
• On-the-group support from a health promotion professional.
• Acknowledgement of the service in the local media.
• Victorian Government recognition as a Healthy Early Childhood Service.
To learn more about the Achievement Program click here or contact us.
Health and wellbeing newsletter
The South Coast Prevention Team create a newsletter to support early childhood services in Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires. The newsletters are filled with ideas and resources to help improve the health and wellbeing of children, staff and families.
Useful links and resources
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation
• Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (Birth to 5 years)
• Be You
• Dental Health Services Victoria
• FoodChecker
• Get Up & Grow: Healthy eating and physical activity for early childhood
• Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS)
• Kidsafe Australia
• Nutrition Australia
• Quit Victoria
• Respectful Relationships
• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
• SunSmart
• The Resilience Project
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (VACCHO)
