District’s Health Promotion Unit help parents navigate the world of healthy eating, physical activity and active play in readiness for starting kindergarten.  
 

Children in Sydney Local Health District are getting a boost to starting ‘big school’ in 2025 through the delivery of “Kindy O Packs” – kindergarten orientation information packs.

The District’s Healthy Children Initiative team, part of the Health Promotion Unit in Population Health, have delivered over 5,500 packs to local primary schools in Sydney’s Inner West, Canada Bay, Burwood, Strathfield, City of Sydney and Canterbury areas during the last two weeks of October.

The packs offer parents invaluable, up-to-date information on healthy eating and staying active, essential for preparing their children for a successful start in kindergarten and for families to use throughout their child’s primary school journey. 

The packs also include Australian national guidelines on healthy eating, a lunchbox activity book, storybook, magnet with healthy messages, and access to other digital resources. 

Health Promotion Officer Ana Renda hand delivered the last of this year's Kindy O Packs to Kegworth Public School, a primary school in Leichhardt. 

“We’ve been doing this since 2020, and it’s been a great success. We started off supplying packs to 30 schools, then 56 the following year. This year we supplied to 89 local primary schools in our District,” she said.

Josie Giardina, Kegworth Public School Assistant Principal, says the packs were a hit with parents and staff and fostered a supportive community, focused on the wellbeing and growth of Kegworth kids.

“We welcome the Kindy O packs at Kegworth Primary School! We love them. We used them last year and they're so invaluable,” she said.

“When I'm presenting to parents, it gives us confidence knowing that what I'm saying is backed up by evidence. It's what we need.”

“We work together with primary schools, early childhood education and care services and families to deliver prevention and health promotion programs.” said Helen Dirkis, our District’s Health Promotion Early Years and Youth Program Manager.

The District’s Health Promotion team also offers free access to health promotion programs for children aged 0 to 5, including Munch & Move and Jarjums Connections, and for primary school aged children and families, Go4Fun and Live Life Well @ School, a program which includes support for school canteens to offer nutritious choices.

Schools and families can visit the Population Health website to learn more about health promotion programs.