Otara centre wins gold
Promoting a healthy lifestyle among its children has earned Wymondley Early Learning Centre’s (WELC) a Heart Foundation Gold Healthy Heart Award - PaHarakeke.
The centre in Otara completed activities where children had the chance to learn about the importance of healthy eating and keeping active. Their families were educated on role modelling healthy behaviour and also pack- ing a healthy lunchbox. The centre also hosted a Healthy Heart Day lunch which encouraged them to use vegetables picked from their own garden.
Centre supervisor Shalu Lal says she and her team are honoured and ‘‘will continue to promote healthy lifestyle choices in the community to help create a bright and healthy future for all our tamariki (children)’’.
Heart Foundation health promotion coordinator Amy Judd says the teachers have found fun ways to incorporate healthy eating into their learning.
‘‘They have used their vegetable garden and involved the community - such as their local librarian - in their teaching, encouraged healthy lunch boxes and reinforced what it means to eat healthily and be active,’’ Judd says.
The award provides staff with information to aid them in their award journey. The free programme is partially funded by the Ministry of Health.