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 Shire are eligible to participate. The program is free.
What are the benefits of participating in Smiles 4 Miles?
• Assists to meet 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
• Support and advice from local health professionals experienced in promoting children’s oral health
• Free professional development for staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in oral health and healthy eating
• Access to practical resources to implement the program – such as the Smiles 4 Miles toolkit, policy templates, curriculum ideas, and more
• Receive a Smiles 4 Miles award – recognition of a service that creates a healthy environment for children, families and staff
• Promotion of your achievements in local media
• Ability to receive advanced standing for the healthy eating and oral health area 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 practical resources to implement the program – such as toolkits, policy templates, curriculum ideas, and more
• Support and advice from a local health promotion professional
• Receive Victorian Government recognition as a Healthy Early Childhood Service
• Promotion of your achievements in local media
To learn more about the Achievement Program click here or contact us.
Health and Wellbeing Newsletter
The South Coast Prevention Team distribute newsletters to early childhood services in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shire. The newsletters are filled with ideas and resources to help improve the health and wellbeing of children, their families and staff.
Useful Links and Resources
• Achievement Program
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation
• Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (Birth to 5 years)
• Be You
• Body Blocks by Embrace Hub
• Dental Health Services Victoria
• Educators Corner (Smiles 4 Miles)
• FoodChecker
• Get Active Victoria Kids Voucher Program
• Get Up & Grow: Healthy eating and physical activity for early childhood
• Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS)
• Kidsafe Australia
• Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education
• Nutrition Australia
• National Nutrition Foundation
• Quit Victoria
• Respectful Relationships
• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
• SunSmart
• Smiles 4 Miles
• The Resilience Project
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
