We are very excited to announce that our centre has earned an excellence award from the Heart Foundation for promoting healthy eating and physical activity.
“Wanaka Live….26/3/2015 – Aspiring Beginnings Early Learning Centre was presented with a ‘Pā-Harakeke’ gold star Healthy Heart Award yesterday. The free programme, which is partially funded by the Ministry of Health and WellSouth Primary Health Network, helps early childhood education services create environments which promote healthy eating and physical activity to under-fives and their families.
Aspiring Beginnings senior teacher Jen Rawson said she and her team are incredibly proud to be receiving the award. “The Gold Healthy Heart Award is a reflection of the high standard of education and care we provide. The children thoroughly enjoy the food from our healthy heart menu and our spacious outdoor environment to promote keeping active,” she said.
Heart Foundation health promotion coordinator Stella O’Connor said the staff and children of Aspiring Beginnings had worked hard to achieve their award.
“Since engaging with the Heart Foundation programme, the centre cook Elizabeth Horrell has completely reviewed the menu to exclude processed meats and reduce the items with added sugar. She has really embraced planning and preparing a variety of healthy foods for the children, who are also encouraged to get hands-on with the preparation,” Stella said. “They have an amazing garden and enter the A&P Show promoting back to basics gardening to the wider community.”
Stella says the centre is doing a great job of spreading the message about what it means to eat healthily and be active.