Kids. ‘Go For Your Life’ Policy Development with Creina Porter

1. Kids – ‘Go for your life’ Policy Development with Creina Porter

2. Aims of the session • To support ECS to achieve criteria 9 for their KGFYL Award • To support networking between ECS around policy development • To share good practice from awarded ECS • To increase the number of Kids – ‘Go for your life’ Award services in your region.

3. Kids – ‘Go for your life’ is a state-wide initiative to promote healthy eating and active play in children aged 0-12

4. Key health messages Increase water consumption Increase fruit and vegetable consumption Reduce consumption of energy dense food and drinks

5. Increase time spent in active play/physical activity Reduce time spent in sedentary activity Increase the number of children walking and riding to the service

6. Health promoting early childhood services

7. Kids – ‘Go for your life’ Award Program

8. Starter Pack • Introduction • Award Program (Award Application form) • Award criteria booklets • Get support • References • Hardcopy resources • …and Member CD • Templates • Case studies • Action plans • Information / tip sheets for families • Health professionals’ register The Member CD ‘Very simple format, good for quick referencing, extremely informative and user friendly. Thank you!' Kerryn - Frankston Family Day Care

9. Involvement to date xx Early Childhood Members in State Xx Services Awarded Insert pic

10. Policy development Rationale • Ensures sustainability of activities • Communicates values and commitment to whole early childhood community • Encourages pupil/child participation • Focuses energy and resources • Motivates and encourages momentum • Links learning, environment and community

11. Policy development Common Weaknesses • Not including policy documents • Not including all criteria in policy documents • Unclear how criteria in policy documents are being implemented eg Criteria 6 Move, Play and Go • No reference to informing parents of policy requirements

12. Policy development • 2 options: • Using the KGFYL template • Inserting criteria in current policies • Nutrition • Excursions • Health and well being • Fundraising • Programming • Children’s program

13. Early childhood policy template Policy Area 6: Active play environment (meets criteria 6) Criteria: Both structured active play and free play experiences are a significant component of the program plan and planned on a daily basis. They should encourage and be inclusive of all children. Rationale: Active play is very important in the development of gross motor skills and it also helps children develop social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills and confidence by using their bodies and minds. Please describe how you will implement the policySee example Policy Area 6 (Section C, page 8) Optional Issues to Consider: • Children are actively encouraged to accept and respect each other’s range of physical abilities • A range of strategies are utilised to promote active play and its benefits to children • Staff/carers consult with families and resource agencies on providing physical experiences that reflect diverse backgrounds and abilities. • Children are dressed appropriately to support engagement in active play. See Section C- Appendix D for Active play guidelines (page 18)

14. Include strategies for meeting the criteria

15. Example on template Active Play Environment Catjump Preschool • The parent interview handbook and enrolment process highlight the level of active play children experience at the Preschool. The program combines both planned and spontaneous active play experiences in every session. • The Preschool operates an appropriate physical education program for all children accessing the service. For the four-year-old children this includes a 50 minute session once a week with a physical education specialist and staff participation. The program takes a ‘scaffold’ approach building strong skills in all large muscle areas followed by fun games and age appropriate team games. • The program is promoted with the parents at the beginning of the year and they are encouraged to participate in the program or observe the children in the program whenever possible.

16. Example on template (cont.) • Children with additional needs participate in physical activities based on their individual needs. Many activities are easily modified to address the children’s specific needs. Consultation and problem solving occurs with the teacher / parents and in some cases with early intervention centre staff to meet the specific needs of additional needs children. • Active play is presented in a fun way and the children’s attempts at activities are acknowledged and reinforced in a positive manner. • The children are encouraged to help one another and applaud each attempt especially at new and unfamiliar tasks. For example staff role model appropriate responses “Good try”, “I really like the way you did that’, “You nearly got it!”, etc. • The children participate in active play every session regardless of the weather. The program may be implemented indoors or under the pergola area. • Activities promoted include bean bags, balls, hoops, bikes, trampoline, basketball ring, obstacle courses, group games, etc

17. Highlighting relevant sections CHILDREN .......................................................... ……………………… 63 • Guiding Children’s Behaviour...................................................……. 64 • Children attending Preschool............................................…………. 65 • Children Attending School .............................………………………. 66 • Excursions ................................……………………………………… 67 • Uncollected Child(ren) .....……………………………………………. 68 • Children Travelling Unescorted To/From School.....……………….. 69 • Television/Video/Computer Policy.................………………………. 70

18. Example of insertion Television/Video/Computer Policy – Frankston FDC  Rationale To ensure that television and video are used in a positive way and that children are not exposed to inappropriate programmes. Procedure 1. Select the programming carefully and when it is finished turn the television off. Programmes should be mutually agreed upon by Carer and parents. 2. Television/computers should be limited in small and not too frequent doses: A maximum of two ½ hour sessions per day per child. This includes educational and computer games. 3. No inappropriate television programmes or videos should be viewed by any persons whilst Family Day Care children are in the same room. 4. No inappropriate television programs or videos/DVD should be viewed by any persons whilst Family Day Care children are in the same room. Programs should be age appropriate and monitored, with staff sitting with children to discuss what is being viewed. 5. Only movies/videos with a “G” rating are suitable for Family Day Care children. 6. To ensure videos are suitable, Carers may choose to view these before they are shownto children.  7. Always use these visual aids wisely.

19. Murrumbeena Kindergarten Example of insertion Criteria 5: Food is not used as a reward, incentive or for comfort It is recommended that no food be used as a reward, incentive or for comfort, as it sends conflicting messages to children. This means that children associate good behaviour with food that is not nutritious and this food then becomes more desirable. It is important to teach children that there are everyday foods and sometimes foods, and that food and behaviour do not have to be connected.

20. Kids – ‘Go for your life’ Policy Development Working In small groups

21. Where to from here? You can use either the EC template provided or include in current policies Send in your policies first before sending in complete application Need to include details of who was involved in policy development, ratification process, how families access policies and review date Those ECS awarded during each of our healthy message periods will receive an acknowledgement of work undertaken

22. Developing a Kids – ‘Go for your life’ Policy – the steps Consult with staff & parents to agree aim(s) and objectives Review and update policy • Carry out an audit of current active play / health eating provision • see Member form • see Award Plus Planning Tool Monitor and evaluate Write a development plan for identified targets - see Action Plans on member CD Identify what you are already doing to meet KGFYL criteria and policy objectives Identify areas for development & prioritise these + Consolidate and strengthen existing provision Write a draft KGFYL Policy using information collected - see Policy Template Implement policy Consult on draft policy and modify as required – you can send into KGFYL State Coord for review Disseminate policy

23. Hints and Tips Don’t be overwhelmed by the process Get others involved so the workload can be shared Network together for support and sharing of ideas Keep moving along so momentum is not lost You can seek assistance from Creina

25. Creina Porter – Early Childhood State Coordinator: 9635 5153 creina.porter@cancervic.org.au