The scheme, which is funded by Public Health Wales and run through Cardiff Council’s Education Service, recognises the contribution of pre-schools to the health and wellbeing of young children and rewards their endeavours in seven different areas:
- Nutrition
& Oral Health
- Physical
Activity & Active Play
- Safety
- Mental
& Emotional Health, Wellbeing & Relationships
- Environmental
Awareness
- Hygiene
- Workplace Health & Wellbeing for Staff
Cabinet Member for Children
and Families, Cllr Graham Hinchey said: “I want to congratulate the staff,
children and parents at Fun Start Playgroup on becoming the first to complete
our Cardiff Healthy and Sustainable Preschool Scheme. They have put an awful
lot of hard work in to meeting the scheme’s criteria and they should feel very proud
of their success.
“The health and wellbeing of future generations is vital, and the younger children start to learn about the benefits of eating well, exercising and staying safe, the better, which is why the Cardiff Healthy and Sustainable Preschool Scheme is so important.”
Set in the grounds of St. Mary’s Church in Wales Primary School, Fun Start Playgroup is managed by leader Feng Ying Vellam, with support from the Wales Pre-school Providers Association and funded by Cardiff Flying Start.
Welcoming the success, Feng Ying Vellam said: “The wellbeing of the children who attend Fun Start matters so much to us, and I’m delighted that our efforts over the last three years, with the support of Healthy and Sustainable Preschool Scheme Officer Maia Banks, have been recognised.
“We’ve put so much work into this, getting the children involved in everything from healthy cooking activities to egg hatching, making junk models from recycled materials, having staff trained in areas like nutrition and behaviour management, as well as making sure the health and wellbeing of staff is looked after.
“Everything we’ve done to meet criteria of the scheme has had such a positive impact, I really think Fun Start is a happier, healthier and safer place for everyone now.”