News and notices Pānui
Healthy smiles the future for Western Bay oral health challenge winners
10 January 2023
The children at an early childhood education centre are proud to show off their pearly whites after coming first in an annual Oral Health Challenge.
Early childhood education centres across the Western Bay were invited to take part in the 2022 World Oral Health Day Challenge - organised by Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty’s Oral Health Promotion Team. The Tot Spot Early Learning Centre on Cameron Road, Tauranga was the winner.
The top three placings were:
1st The Tot Spot Early Learning Centre
2nd Gate Pa Preschool and Childcare Centre
3rd Elm Tree Early Learning Centre
The Tot Spot Early Learning Centre teachers Manawa Tomoana and Danielle Harris were excited to get involved in the challenge, organising lots of activities to promote oral health. Manawa said the children at the centre really enjoyed taking part and learning about the importance of brushing their teeth.
“We have three rooms in the centre and each room focused on different activities,” explained Manawa. “The activities included learning a song about brushing your teeth, looking at what makes a healthy lunchbox, and involving the children in caring for the garden and fruit trees at the centre. The pre-schoolers visited the supermarket to learn about fruit and vegetables. All the children now know about oral health and how important it is to look after your teeth.”
About 50 children attend The Tot Spot Early Learning Centre and they occupy three different rooms at the centre, depending on their age.
Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty Oral Health Promoter Nicole D’cruz thanked all those who were involved.
“I want to say a big thank you to all the early childhood centres that participated in 2022’s Oral Health Challenge,” said Nicole. “Huge congratulations to The Tot Spot for winning the first place! We enjoyed seeing how much work they put into their submission. They excelled in all the activities they did with the children and had great parent involvement.
“Congratulations to Gate Pa Preschool for coming in second place and Elm Tree Early Learning Centre for coming in third.
“We appreciate the hard work all centres put in towards the challenge. Ka pai te mahi.”
The winners received a voucher for the local fruit and vegetable shop.