This content was prepared by Heart Foundation and is being published by The New Zealand Herald as Advertorial.
Preschoolers are benefiting from improved oral and physical health, with a reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease, thanks to a programme run by the Heart Foundation.
Nearly 100,000 children benefit from 1500 early learning services enrolled in the Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award programme, around one-third of all early learning services nationwide. The programme is helping services reshape the way young children eat, move and learn about food and nutrition.
An independent Social Return on Investment analysis found the programme returns $4.50 in measurable social value for every $1 invested, generating around $6 million of social good annually through better oral health, nutrition, physical activity, and long-term equity outcomes for children and families.
Rather than relying on one-off initiatives, services embed healthy eating and active play into everyday practice. This includes planned physical activities, reducing screen time, lunchbox guidance, and aligning menus with national healthy food and infant feeding guidelines.
Across the country, services say the impact is visible.
When Rumpus Room Waterview joined the programme in 2020, it faced common challenges, including fussy eaters and menus relying on processed meats and sweet baked goods. Today, those challenges have largely reduced.
Children are more willing to try new foods, physical activity is structured, and they’re beginning to recognise and talk about nourishing food.
“Everything is made from scratch now. We make our own jams, dips, hummus and purees,” Rumpus Room Waterview cook Amy Roskruge says.
The service is making the most of these opportunities for learning and encouraging children to be food explorers. Parents report those habits are carrying through at home.
“Parents are so supportive of what we do, and it’s changed a lot of habits.
“One parent said when his son first arrived, he would only eat white bread and crackers. By the time he left for primary school he had been eating all the lunches provided as well as fruit and vegetables.”
Early learning services are regularly reviewing their nutrition and physical activity policies to ensure they remain relevant and actively used, rather than sitting on a shelf.
The changes are transforming daily practice.
Menus change every two-to-four weeks and include vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lentils, and lean proteins.
Teachers also work closely with families to ensure consistent messages about food and physical activity between home and the early learning service.
Heart Foundation’s Head of Prevention Justine Munro says the Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award programme, which has been running since 2002, is transforming the food and activity environment for thousands of young children.
“We know habits formed in the early years can shape a child’s health and habits for life, so this programme focuses on making the most of what happens every day – what’s on the menu, what’s explored and learnt, and how tamariki move and play.
“We’re proud of the impact we have had on children and families over more than two decades of running the programme.”
For information about the Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award programme, visit here.