Certificates awarded for healthy play areas in the Perg district

Certificates awarded for healthy play areas in the Perg district

There was recently good news for the crèches in the Perg district in Upper Austria. The Baumgartenberg crèche and the Münzbach community crèche were awarded the title “Healthy crèche”. This award is part of a larger project aimed at strengthening health promotion for the youngest in the region. The ceremony recently took place in Linz, where a total of 24 kindergartens and 11 kindergartens received the coveted award.

Deputy Governor and State Councilor for Education and Health Christine Haberlander commented on the successes: “The quality of education in the early years is essential and it is great to see that so many institutions are taking part in this program.” With this award, around 60 percent of kindergartens in Upper Austria receive the title of “healthy kindergarten”, while 47 playgroups are considered qualified.

Focus on health and education

The approach behind the award is quite simple but effective: it's about getting children excited about healthy eating and exercise from an early age. “Healthy nutrition and enjoyment of exercise are important for a healthy life, and the foundation should be laid in early childhood,” Haberlander continues. Health promotion not only extends to dietary behavior, but also includes psychosocial aspects and daily exercise.

A total of 434 kindergartens and 133 playhouses are already taking part in this funding program, which supports the development of healthy lifestyles for preschool children. In the Perg district, 17 kindergartens and 8 playgroups are actively involved. These facilities not only aim to raise children in a health-conscious manner, but also educate parents and caregivers about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Intensive cooperation between those involved

The certified playrooms have invested a lot of work over the last three years in meeting the health network's quality criteria. In order to receive the title of “healthy toddler room”, the facilities must prove that they provide holistic and quality-oriented educational work. Teams of educators, providers and catering companies work closely together to create an environment in which children can learn the basics of a healthy life in a playful way.

The focus in these facilities is on various aspects of health, including a varied diet, regular exercise and the promotion of psychosocial health. These programs ensure that children are not only physically active, but are also well supported emotionally and socially.

The award represents an important confirmation of their work for everyone involved and is a motivating sign for the communities in the Perg district. Information about the participating institutions and their programs is expected in the near future in order to educate even more parents and children about the advantages of the “Healthy Crawling Rooms”. Further details on this topic can be found in the reports www.meinkreis.at.