Bell Block's

Big Hearts at Bell Block Childcare
Bell Block Childcare has been awarded the prestigious Heart
Foundation Healthy Heart Award.
The Healthy Heart Award is a free programme that encourages
early childhood centres to promote healthy eating and Active
Movement to under fives and their families.
The programme provides staff with nutrition and Active Movement
information, planning tools and curriculum guides to assist with
the implementation of healthier food choices and Active Movement
programmes.
The award was presented to children and staff earlier this term and
is their second award from the Heart Foundation in as many years.
“We believe children should be taught good lifestyle habits from
an early age”, Centre Supervisor Nalini Robinson says.
The centre has developed nutrition and Active Movement policies
as well as lunchbox guidelines for parents. Staff and children make
healthy morning snacks together using vegetables grown in the
centre’s garden. Active Movement is a large part of the day. The
children love dancing to music, and playing in their large outdoor
play area.
Gaining the award reflects the hard work staff and parents have
put in to improving their children’s heart health.
Fun Family Ideas from Toolbox
Invest time with your family rather than spending money.
Try some of these low, or no cost ideas.
Outdoor
• Go for a tramp, bush walk or climb Paritutu rock. The children
can wear their own backpacks with lunch, a scroggin snack
and water.
• Have a picnic in the dark at the park or beach with torches
and candles. Make up adventure stories to tell. Take lots of
warm clothes and rugs.
At Home
• Make coupons for each other for a free massage, tickle, piggy
back ride or bubble bath.
• Have a dress up dinner, with a menu and music to match. Pick
a different country and try new healthy foods in a fun way.
Wacky Ideas
• Dress up crazy – as a rock star, in the same colour or with
your clothes on back to front. Go for a walk dressed up
together.
• Have a ‘wacky’ concert. Everyone must perform an item
– sing, play music, recite silly poems or do some ‘wacky’
dancing.
Toolbox groups are practical, positive and fun parenting courses
run nationwide. They cater to parents of children of any age. To
find out more about Toolbox go to www.toolbox@ParentsInc.org.nz
or phone Rachel on (06) 755 2374.
What’s on at Northpoint Community Trust
GROWING GREAT KIDS – HOT TIPS
FOR BLENDED FAMILIES
Join us for an inspirational and entertaining
evening with John Cowan from Parents Inc and
learn how to:
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Meet challenges
Parent from the same page
Engage with different and new personalities
Build a team – be a coach
Date: Tuesday 26 August
Time: 7pm-9.30pm
Cost: $10 single or $15 couple
HOW TO DRUG PROOF YOUR KIDS
Parents can make a difference. Extensive research
shows that parents and families can be a vital
factor in keeping children from becoming involved
with the harmful use of drugs, including alcohol.
How To Drug Proof Your Kids is a fourweek
education, prevention and intervention
programme aimed at parents of preteen
children to inform them about drugs.
Date: Thursday 31 July
Time: 7.00pm
Cost: $20 single or $30 couple
GEMS
Gems is a fortnightly group for women to meet
for coffee, food, crafts and friendship. A free
crèche is provided.
Date: Fortnightly Thursdays
(24th July, 7th August, 21st August)
Time: 9.45am
Cost: Varies depending on the craft
Phone (06) 755 2374
Contact Northpoint for more information or to
register for the listed programmes
The programmes will be held at the Northpoint Centre, 116 Mangati Road, Bell Block.