At Central Kids Kindy in Opotiki, we first joined Building Blocks in May 2018, and focused on two Blocks per term. One of our kaiako took on the role of leading us on our Building Blocks journey.

The Keep the Bugs at Bay Checklist helped us to recognise several ways we could improve our environment. We found that tamariki couldn’t access tissues easily on their own, and we didn’t have much displayed on the walls about the importance of handwashing.

We arranged to get tissue dispensers and rubbish bags installed so tamariki could easily access and dispose of tissues without help. We also created a photo display of a child from our kindy going through the handwashing process. This was displayed on the wall in the bathroom and it helped our tamariki to connect with a familiar face and know the steps to follow. Our staff also cued tamariki more often to wash hands after pet handling, toileting and before kai.

Completing the Keep the Bugs at Bay Block resulted in positive changes to our physical and social environment. It helped us to see how we could empower our tamariki through supporting  them to develop self-help skills.  It also showed us the importance of increasing awareness and knowledge for kaiako so we can be proactive at prompting important health habits until they become consistent. Handwashing is now being incorporated into our daily practice and will become a part of our regular self-review process.