By BEST Childcare Consulting
In early childhood education, every shared meal, outdoor game, and joyful movement holds the power to shape lifelong habits. The Munch & Move program reminds us that when we nurture healthy bodies, we also nurture healthy minds and confident learners.
For services in Western Australia striving to demonstrate excellence under the National Quality Standard (NQS), Munch & Move provides far more than a set of health messages — it offers a whole-of-service approach to wellbeing, family connection, and reflective practice. It is a gentle yet powerful reminder that quality care extends beyond education — it lives in the everyday choices we make to help children eat well, move often, and feel good in their bodies.
Originally developed by the NSW Ministry of Health, Munch & Move is a free, evidence-based initiative designed to build children’s healthy eating habits, physical literacy, and fundamental movement skills. While it is not formally accredited outside New South Wales, it has become a nationally recognised best-practice model — one that WA services can confidently adopt, adapt, and celebrate as part of their journey toward Exceeding practice.
When educators, leaders, and families unite around these principles, the result is more than compliance — it’s culture. Munch & Move becomes a living reflection of what “Exceeding” truly means: a service where children thrive, families feel empowered, and educators lead with purpose and pride.
What Is Munch & Move?
Munch & Move centres on two domains: healthy eating (“Munch”) and physical activity/fundamental movement skills(“Move”).
The program includes current resources, online educator training, family engagement tools, service action planning templates, and self-assessment checklists. Its aims are to:
- increase children’s intake of healthy foods,
- limit less healthy foods,
- increase physical activity,
- reduce sedentary behaviour, and
- improve fundamental movement skills.
WA services can easily integrate these resources into everyday programming, policy development, and family communication to strengthen wellbeing practices and support Exceeding evidence.
NSW Government – About Munch & Move
Educational Programming Ideas – Integrating Munch & Move
- “Market Day” Healthy Eating Experience
Children role-play running a mini fresh food market, preparing and tasting fruits and vegetables. Families share favourite recipes from home. - Fundamental Movement Skills Circuit
Set up balancing, hopping, and skipping stations using Munch & Move templates to track progress. Invite families for a “Move-With-Us” morning. - “My Plate, My Choice” Digital Display
Children draw their healthy plates on tablets; educators lead discussions about variety, colour, and balance. - Family Home–Service Challenge
Families complete home movement and nutrition challenges, then share photos for a “Healthy & Active Families” display. - Monthly Reflect & Refine Workshop
Educators meet to evaluate health and movement goals, using Munch & Move reflection tools to drive improvement.
Professional Development Opportunities
Online Learning Modules (Free)
Delivered by NSW Health, covering:
- the six Munch & Move key messages;
- embedding physical literacy;
- creating supportive nutrition and movement environments;
- family engagement and policy alignment.
Access: Munch & Move Online Training https://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/campaigns-programs/munch-move.aspx
Facilitator & Resource Toolkit
Includes educator guides, posters, and policy templates. WA services can adapt these under local frameworks and complement with:
Healthy Eating Advisory Service https://heas.health.vic.gov.au/early-childhood/
KIDDO WA (UWA) for movement and physical literacy. https://www.kiddo.edu.au/
Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) Write-Ups
QA1 – Educational Program and Practice
Embedded Practice
The Munch & Move framework was consistently integrated into the educational program. Healthy eating and physical literacy concepts were embedded through intentional teaching, group routines, and spontaneous learning moments. Educators linked food preparation, movement games, and family engagement experiences to EYLF outcomes.
Critical Reflection
Educators collaboratively reflected on how children’s participation in movement and healthy eating activities influenced learning and wellbeing outcomes. The team analysed documentation to identify emerging interests, adjusted plans accordingly, and refined practice to enhance child agency and inclusivity.
Meaningful Engagement
Children and families co-created learning experiences such as “Market Day” and the “Home–Service Challenge.” Families’ recipes, photos, and reflections enriched the program, demonstrating reciprocal partnerships that supported shared learning around health and movement.
QA2 – Children’s Health and Safety
Embedded Practice
Daily practices promoted active, healthy lifestyles. Educators modelled nutritious eating habits, encouraged water consumption, and implemented safe, engaging movement sessions. Munch & Move messages were visible throughout the service, reinforcing consistent expectations for wellbeing.
Critical Reflection
Staff used self-assessment tools from Munch & Move to evaluate menus, active play frequency, and rest-time balance. Reflections informed policy updates and prompted modifications to the daily schedule to support adequate movement and hydration.
Meaningful Engagement
Families received consistent messages through newsletters and visual displays, reinforcing healthy habits at home. Shared feedback from parents was used to tailor mealtime routines and physical activities to family cultures and values.
QA3 – Physical Environment
Embedded Practice
Spaces were purposefully arranged to promote health and activity — including outdoor obstacle courses, sensory gardens, and flexible movement zones. Healthy eating and recycling displays encouraged sustainable thinking.
Critical Reflection
The team regularly evaluated how the environment supported children’s engagement, adjusting layouts to ensure accessibility and safety. Discussions also focused on minimising barriers for children with varying abilities or sensory needs.
Meaningful Engagement
Children helped plan garden layouts and create signage for the compost and recycling areas. Families contributed seeds, pots, and cooking utensils, building ownership of the health-focused environment.
QA4 – Staffing Arrangements
Embedded Practice
Staff roles were planned to ensure adequate supervision and participation in nutrition and movement sessions. All educators completed or accessed Munch & Move online training to ensure consistent knowledge across the team.
Critical Reflection
Educators reflected on their confidence in leading active sessions and facilitating healthy conversations. Feedback sessions were used to refine strategies and identify further training needs in physical literacy or family communication.
Meaningful Engagement
The leadership team engaged staff in shared goal-setting and celebrated progress through team meetings and newsletters, creating a culture of encouragement and accountability around health promotion.
QA5 – Relationships with Children
Embedded Practice
Educators used Munch & Move strategies to foster supportive relationships — modelling healthy choices, promoting inclusion in active play, and encouraging teamwork. Conversations about food and movement were used to build connection and trust.
Critical Reflection
Reflective meetings explored how educators’ interactions during mealtimes and games supported autonomy, confidence, and emotional safety. Adjustments were made to ensure each child’s voice guided the pace and type of activity.
Meaningful Engagement
Children’s ideas shaped experiences like the “Fundamental Movement Skills Circuit” and digital “My Plate” displays. Their reflections (“I feel strong when I jump!”) were documented to highlight self-awareness and belonging.
QA6 – Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities
Embedded Practice
Partnerships with families were sustained through Munch & Move newsletters, photo displays, and invitations to join active events. Community connections with sporting clubs and local markets expanded children’s real-world understanding of healthy lifestyles.
Critical Reflection
Educators reflected on engagement methods — ensuring cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and accessibility. Feedback from families informed menu planning and physical activity initiatives.
Meaningful Engagement
Parents and carers participated in “Move-With-Us” mornings and shared recipes for the “Healthy Families Cookbook.” Collaborative engagement fostered a sense of shared responsibility for children’s wellbeing.
QA7 – Governance and Leadership
Embedded Practice
Leadership embedded Munch & Move principles into the service’s philosophy, health policies, and QIP priorities. Health and wellbeing outcomes were monitored and discussed at staff meetings.
Critical Reflection
Leaders facilitated structured reflection sessions after each themed event (Nutrition Week, Physical Literacy Week). These sessions identified strengths, gaps, and opportunities for ongoing improvement in policy and pedagogy.
Meaningful Engagement
Families and educators were invited to contribute to policy reviews and celebrate milestones via social media and community newsletters, reinforcing a transparent, collaborative leadership culture.
Helpful Resources
NSW government Munch and Move program NSW Government – Munch & Move Program
Munch & Move Online Training Portal https://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/campaigns-programs/munch-move.aspx
Nutrition Australia – Nutrition Week https://www.nutritionaustralia.org/nutrition-week/
Outdoor classroom day/Physical literacy week Outdoor Classroom Day / Physical Literacy Week
KIDDO (UWA) Physical Literacy Program https://www.kiddo.edu.au/
Healthy Eating Advisory Service https://heas.health.vic.gov.au/early-childhood/
ACECQA exceeding themes https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/national-quality-standard
BEST Childcare Consulting
At BEST Childcare Consulting, we help WA services turn health and movement frameworks like Munch & Move into powerful, evidence-based practice that drives Exceeding results. From educator workshops to QIP documentation and compliance reviews, our consultants ensure your team is confident, consistent, and compliant.
As always, use these inspirations to lead your service throughout the whole year in your everyday practices to truly earn an Exceeding rating.
Contact us TODAY.
