Munch & Move Reports
Healthy Eating and Active Play Conference Evaluation Report (2021)
The Munch & Move Healthy Eating and Active Play Conferences aim to strengthen knowledge, skills and confidence of early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector leaders, in relation to implementation of the Munch & Move program. In order to formally assess the effectiveness of these Conferences, an outcome and impact evaluation was conducted. Three 2020 Conferences were included in the evaluation, resulting in data from a range of metropolitan and regional ECEC settings.
Methods included statistical analysis of before and after quantitative surveys, and thematic analysis of in-depth, post-Conference interviews. Results showed increases in all pre-to-post quantitative measures, in addition to several key interview themes that demonstrate enhanced Munch & Move implementation following Conference attendance.
The evaluation found that attending a Healthy Eating and Active Play Conference supports ECEC leaders to more effectively and collaboratively embed evidence-based nutrition, physical activity and screen time practices in their services. This supports the development, health and wellbeing of children in these NSW ECEC settings.
Two virtually delivered Conferences will be evaluated using the same methodology in 2021. This will allow for an outcome and impact comparison between online and face-to-face Conferences.
Download the report
Healthy Menu Planning Workshop Evaluation Report (2019)
From February 2018 to November 2019, 89 Munch & Move Healthy Menu Planning workshops were delivered to 1587 service cooks and leaders working in early childhood education and care services across NSW.
The workshops were evaluated to determine whether the desired learning objectives and outcomes were being met. The study also examined whether services were able to make healthy menu changes after attending and what were the enablers and barriers to doing this well.
The results were extremely positive, with cooks and service leaders showing:
- Increased perceived importance of providing healthy menus.
- Increased knowledge, understanding and skills regarding healthy menu planning.
- Increased awareness and knowledge of tools and resources.
- Increased confidence in ability to plan healthy menus.
- Increased intention to make changes to their service menu.
- Evidence of short term menu or behavioral changes.
Download the report
Family Day Care Evaluation Report (2019)
In July 2016, the Munch & Move program was extended to support the NSW Family Day Care (FDC) sector. FDC Service Providers were given access to free professional development, resources and implementation support to adopt healthy eating and active play practices in their educators’ environments. In 2019, the program’s FDC delivery model was evaluated, including participant’s perceptions of the program and factors that support FDC Service Providers and educators to implement health promoting practices.
The findings highlighted:
- The value of Munch & Moveprogram resources and professional development training in supporting practice change.
- The significant role that Service Providers play in supporting their educators to implement health promoting practices.
- The in-built flexibility of the Munch & Move program to accommodate the needs of each FDC service.
Download the report
Munch & Move Evidence and Evaluation Summary (2015)
This report summarises and showcases the reach and implementation of the Munch & Move program across NSW over the last 7 years. In 2015, 89% of early childhood services had staff trained in the Munch & Move program, with a higher proportion of preschools and long day care services (91% and 90% respectively) compared to occasional care services (79%). There has also been a significant increase in the proportion of early childhood services that have implemented 70% or more of the program practices; in 2012 the total for NSW was 36% and by 2015 this had increased to 78%.
Download the report
Phase One: Preschool evaluation (2009)
Phase One of the Munch & Move program took place between July 2008 and August 2009. During this time, 52 workshops were conducted attracting over 1000 staff from approximately 400 NSW preschools, covering both metropolitan and rural locations.
The preschool phase of the program involved collaboration between NSW Department of Health, Area Health Services, the Early Childhood Training and Research Centre (ECTARC) and the Prevention Research Collaboration at Sydney University. The program was supported by NSW Department of Human Services (Community Services) and the NSW Department of Education and Training.
One component of Phase One was an in-depth evaluation of Munch & Move which was conducted with a sample of 23 NSW Department of Education and Training preschools.
