Early childhood services achieve further health and wellbeing mileston

Published on 09 April 2026

Three West Wimmera Shire Council early childhood services have been recognised by the Victorian Government for excellence in healthy eating, oral health, and creating safe, smoke-free environments.

Kaniva Kindergarten, Goroke Preschool and Edenhope Early Childhood Service have been formally recognised through the State Government’s Healthy Early Childhood Services Achievement Program.

The services have been awarded achievement certificates in the healthy eating and oral health priority area, and in the smoking, vaping, alcohol and other drugs priority area.

The healthy eating and oral health recognition acknowledges the services’ commitment to supporting children to develop positive food habits, nutrition knowledge, and oral hygiene practices from an early age.

Educators embed healthy eating and oral health into daily learning, providing children with opportunities to explore food, develop food literacy and build positive relationships with meals.

Services promote nutritious food choices, support families with information and resources, and encourage healthy routines such as regular water consumption and age-appropriate oral hygiene practices.

Children are also supported through positive mealtime environments, where educators role-model healthy behaviours and encourage independence, helping to build lifelong healthy habits.

The smoking, vaping, alcohol and other drugs achievement recognises the services’ work in creating safe, smoke-free and drug-free environments for children, families and staff.

Strict policies ensure that all service environments, including events and outdoor areas, are free from smoking, vaping and drug use, with clear expectations in place to protect children from exposure to harmful substances.

West Wimmera Shire Council Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said the additional achievements highlighted a strong and consistent approach to health and wellbeing across all services.

“These results reflect the dedication of our educators and the strong partnerships with families to create environments that support children’s health in every aspect of their development,” he said.

“By embedding healthy eating, oral health and safe environments into everyday practice, our services are helping children build the knowledge and habits that will support their wellbeing throughout life.”

The Healthy Early Childhood Services Achievement Program supports services across six key health areas: healthy eating and oral health; physical activity and movement; mental health and wellbeing; sun protection; safe environments; and smoking, vaping, alcohol and other drugs.

In term 2, West Wimmera Shire early childhood services will focus on mental health and wellbeing, and physical activity and movement priority areas.

This work will be guided by the Be You program and the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and active lifestyles.

Earlier this year, West Wimmera Shire services were recognised for excellence in sun protection and for maintaining safe environments.

More information about the Healthy Early Childhood Services Achievement Program is available at www.achievementprogram.health.vic.gov.au.