07 August 2019

Taihape Childcare Centre (TCC) has gone water only - a move Whanganui District Health Board public health nurse Narisa Sargison says is recognition of the staff and children’s commitment to ridding their centre of sugary drinks.

And while it’s been business as usual for the kids, some of the staff have had to make a few changes.

TCC owner-manager Sarah Paringatai says the idea to go water only was first raised at a staff meeting.

“Everybody was keen. We thought, we’re basically water only already – let’s make it official.”

The idea was then discussed with Ms Sargison during one of her regular school visits, and she was only too happy to help them on their journey.

Schools and early childhood centres interested in becoming water only receive a toolkit and support to implement the ‘Three Ps’:

• Practice – asking the school/early childhood centre about its current approach to water only.
• Policy and procedure – working to put a formal policy in place to guide their water only efforts.
• Promotion – helping to celebrate and promote that they are water only.

Ms Paringatai says ticking of the first ‘P’ was easy, as there was only the odd drink coming through in a child’s lunch box.

One area of discussion was around hot drinks like cocoa, used to warm up on wintery days. Those were switched to warm milk as an acceptable healthy alternative.

Last year’s Christmas party also had a change-up. Instead of supplying sweet drinks, fruit chunks were added to water jugs and frozen in ice cubes. They provided a “novelty celebration drink for the children, which they loved,” Ms Paringatai says.

In fact, she says the water only status has had more impact on her staff than the children – with teachers having to think again when craving a mid-afternoon refreshment. “All our staff are really proud of how far we’ve come.”

Ms Sargison says the TCC whanau made her role easy, as they were so enthusiastic to get on board as a water only centre.

“Water only (and milk), is so important for our children. With growing childhood obesity rates and high rates of dental decay and tooth extractions in our children, it is so important to promote water as the best and cheapest option,” Ms Sargison says.

“If we can teach this at a young age, we’re helping them to build healthy and sustainable habits for life.”

Taihape Childcare Centre staff and children receive water only certificates from WDHB health promoters Narisa Sargison and Karney Herewini.