Under 5 Energize Service

Details

The overarching aim of U5E is to reduce the rate of weight gain (obesity) of preschool children. This aim will be achieved by delivery of U5E, to improve early childhood nutrition and movement skills through the provision of activities and resources that:
1. improve early childhood environments and home settings through promotion and intervention so that ‘the active healthy choice is the easiest choice’ (supportive environments)
2. Underpin and support consistent nutrition and physical activity messages in all aspects of early childhood, school and community interaction (modelling how)

The initiative is built to be sustainable with workshops delivered to educators and parents using a train the trainer model. The Energizers focus on empowering the educators to gain knowledge by meaningful and quality engagement.
A similar framework is used for all centres which includes a Memorandum of Agreement at the outset of the initiative. A stocktake of nutrition and physical activity environments is carried out followed by a needs analysis. The stocktake and needs analysis inform an action plan. The initial action plan is for a period of 6 months.
U5E goals are:
1. More active play every day
2. Water and milk as the best choice
3. Less sweet drinks
4. Daily fruit and vegetables
5. Less energy dense snacks
6. Less screen time