Munch & Move
The Munch & Move program is a NSW Health initiative that helps to support the healthy development of children 0 to 5 years attending early childhood education and care services. The program supports early childhood educators to increase physical activity and healthy eating and reduce screen time for children in care by providing a fun, play-based approach to healthy eating and physical activity habits in the early years.
Local Health Promotion Officers work with services to create a whole-of-service approach to healthy eating and physical activity.
There are a range of resources, support and professional development opportunities available for educators.
There is currently no formal Munch & Move training available.
To support ongoing learning, we recommend early childhood educators complete professional development focused on child feeding and physical activity. Suggested options include:
- PICNIC in Early Education
A locally developed child feeding program delivered via self-directed online learning modules. - Body Blocks by Embrace Collective
A program for early childhood educators that aims to prevent body image concerns in young children by introducing messages of body appreciation early. Delivered via seven short, self-paced online videos. - Small Bites for Big Step
A program developed by Northern Sydney Local Health District to empower educators, families and carers with practical, bite-sized information on children’s healthy development in the First 2000 Days. Delivered through on-demand videos and professional development courses.
These training opportunities offer evidence-based strategies and practical ideas for health professionals that can be implemented within your service to create supportive nutrition and movement environments for children.
Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) are a specific set of gross motor skills that involve different body parts. These skills are the building blocks for more complex skills that children will learn throughout their lives. They help children take part in games, sports and recreational activities.
Children need to be taught how to perform FMS as part of their growth and development. Educators should provide children with intentional opportunities to practice these skills. This will help the skills develop and the children to become more confident. Introduce FMS skills early through play and exploration. This will make it more likely that children will engage in physical activity throughout their lives.
Resources:
- FMS with Franky and Friends
- Physical Activity for Babies and Toddlers
- Fundamental Movement Skills in Action
- Fundamental movement skills yearly planner
- Mini Moves (by Northern Sydney LHD)
- Play with me! Fun moved for 0 to 3 years
- The 12 days of fitness – Activity Cards and Calendar
- FMS Indoor Videos (by Nepean Blue Mountains LHD)
0 to 5 years of age is a key window for children to learn about food and eating. Mealtimes offer opportunities to promote positive outcomes for children. Positive mealtimes are not only about nutritional requirements, they can also shape children’s learning, development, health and wellbeing.
Packing a lunchbox for your child can be tricky. Knowing how much and what to pack can feel overwhelming! Our No Pressure Lunchboxes guide is here to help.
Registrations are now open for all Mid North Coast educators. For more information, visit PICNIC in early education.
Mid North Coast Health Promotion Officers are available to provide support for menu development and review. They provide regular, ongoing support via Cook Network Meetings.
Click here to view the recording of the most recent Cook Network Meeting on 3 June 2025.
If you would like your menu to be reviewed, please email a copy to your local Health Promotion Officer.
The NSW Health Caring for Children manual provides menu planning information and checklists to help you plan a menu that meets the nutritional needs of the children in your care.
Below is a list of recipe and cookbooks that contain recipes suitable for the early childhood setting:
Join our closed Facebook group, Munch and Move MNC, which is exclusively for early childhood educators and cooks on the Mid North Coast. Connect with like-minded professionals, access resources, and exchange ideas on promoting healthy habits and wellbeing among children.
Click here to download the 2026 Munch & Move calendar.
The first 2000 days of life is a critical time for physical, cognitive, social and emotional health. What happens in the first 2000 days has been shown to have an impact throughout life.
Mid North Coast Local Health District partnered with Blue Sky to deliver a webinar series. The recordings are available online at First 2000 Days – Mid North Coast Local Health District (nsw.gov.au)
Northern Sydney Local Health District has developed Small Bites for Big Steps, a series of professional development courses to support early childhood educators in giving children (birth to 5 years) the healthiest start in life.
Choose from general or NESA-accredited professional development courses across a range of settings and groups including nursery, toddler, preschool and family day care courses.
For more information, go to Small Bites for Big Steps – Munch & Move – Northern Sydney Local Health District (nsw.gov.au)
Research shows that children aged 3-5 have already internalised ideas about bodies and appearance. It’s a concerning thought given that children who are worried about their bodies at this early age are more likely to engage in disordered eating or have mental health issues later in life. It’s important that we prevent body image issues in young people by getting in early with messages of body appreciation.
Body Blocks by Embrace Kids
Specifically designed for early childhood educators and teachers, the Body Blocks video modules offer practical, easy-to-implement strategies to help kids aged 0-8 build a positive relationship with food, movement and their bodies. Work through the modules one by one or watch them in one session in a staff meeting or professional development day – they take less than 30 minutes all up. You can access the modules at Education Hub – Body Blocks by Embrace Kids – Embrace Hub (theembracehub.com)
Our termly Munch & Move e-newsletter is loaded with valuable healthy development information and resources for teachers and educators in early childhood education and care services. View previous newsletters below:
Mid North Coast Health Promotion dietitians have developed a free child feeding program for parents and carers. It is suitable for adults that care for children aged 0 to 6 years. It offers online or face to face workshops, access to Q&A sessions and a closed supportive Facebook group to connect with other PICNIC families. To register your interest: Join PICNIC – Picnic Project
For more information contact us at mnclhd-hp@health.nsw.gov.au