Wednesday 22nd November 2011 Melton and Moorabool Shires’ Story

1. Melton and Moorabool Shires’ Story
Wednesday 22nd November 2011

2. Background
• Commenced work in 2009 within Early Childhood Services
(ECS)
• Start Right Eat Right and Smiles 4 Miles since 2006
• A need to include active play within ECS
• Acknowledged benefits of a state-wide award program
• Opportunity to establish a relationship with ECS

3. Service engagement
• Initial phone calls/ letters sent to invite services to become a K-
GFYL member
• Informal meetings held with ECS directors individually
• Highlight benefits of recognising work already being undertaken
within the service
• Ongoing support and communication provided
• Links to health professionals, VicRoads, Cancer Council Victoria,
DHSV etc
• 53 services, 19 awarded (2 previously awarded), 6 non-members

4. DjHS approach
• Award criteria was being met by child care services within the
ECS due to accreditation requirements
• Healthy Eating policies required updating to reflect practice and
Active Play policies needed to be developed
• Access to resources and responding to service need e.g. links to
external agencies
• Database of services and status updated monthly
• Ongoing follow up
• Ongoing communication with CCV

5. Key learnings
• CCV support; policy reviews, menu reviews and resources made
this work happen, particularly cluster policies
• Forums for ECS to network rather than one to one approach, also
build skills
• Needs to build on what is already happening
• Key worker required to build rapport
• Networking with other health agencies
• Incentive for participation
• Be flexible

6. Recommendations
• Changing policy for ECS such as ABC, ECMS is beyond our capacity
• The model utilised through K-GFYL works effectively
• Potential for a ‘hard sell’ for those services recently awarded
• Communication from the Department or CCV gives services a
motivation to partner
• Build on existing resources and key messages

7. Questions/ Comments