The “Network Healthy in Vienna Kindergarten” project of Vienna Health Promotion – WiG has set itself the task of actively promoting, maintaining and improving the health of children, employees and parents in Vienna’s kindergartens. The cooperation agreement between the supporting organizations was signed at a festive event that also celebrated the network’s tenth anniversary. This agreement is based on a common understanding of working together to pool resources and strengthen the network. Under the motto “We live health promotion”, an important contribution is made to promoting health in the facilities, thereby setting a milestone in sustainable health promotion. The agreement was signed between the WiG and the seven largest kindergarten sponsoring organizations in Vienna: City of Vienna – Kindergartens, Vienna Children’s Friends, Children in Vienna, St. Nicholas Foundation Archdiocese of Vienna, umbrella association of Viennese private kindergartens and after-school care centers (interest group), Association of Vienna Children’s Groups and Association Catholic day care homes.
Strong partnership to promote health in Vienna’s kindergartens
Dennis Beck, Managing Director of Vienna Health Promotion – WiG, emphasizes how crucial collaboration is for the quality of the network. “Since 2015, we have been offering a platform in the elementary sector with the ‘Healthy in Vienna Kindergarten Network’. The joint development of the cooperation agreement has once again strengthened this long-standing partnership and shows how important health promotion is for all organizations involved,” said Beck. Brigitta Schwarz, MA, MA, BA, head of department for municipal kindergartens and after-school care centers in the city of Vienna – kindergartens, also emphasizes that “health promotion in kindergarten is an important part of early childhood education. Through targeted measures and activities, children learn a healthy lifestyle right from the start. In order to successfully implement these measures, it is essential that specialists are appropriately trained and that health promotion concepts are integrated into everyday teaching. The cooperation with experts from the areas of health, nutrition and exercise is valuable support.”
The Vienna Children’s Friends share this perspective and rely on a holistic concept of health promotion. Alexandra Fischer MA, Managing Director of the Austrian Children’s Friends – Vienna regional organization explains: “We are very proud to be part of the cross-agency initiative ‘Network Healthy in Vienna Kindergarten’. Together we focus on health in kindergarten. This collaboration is a valuable contribution to promoting the well-being of our children and employees.”
Another important aspect that is repeatedly emphasized is the shared commitment to children’s health. Mag.a Gudrun Kern, Managing Director – Educational Management at Children in Vienna and Thomas-Peter Gerold-Siegl, MBA, Managing Director – Economic Management, point to the holistic pedagogy because “the cooperation underlines the shared commitment to a healthy and future-oriented development of the youngest generation in Vienna. Through joint projects, important topics such as exercise, healthy eating and mental health are playfully integrated into children’s everyday lives.”
This common goal of promoting well-being in Vienna’s kindergartens is also clear in the collaboration with the St. Nicholas Foundation of the Archdiocese of Vienna. Susanna Haas, MA, Deputy Managing director and pedagogical director, explains: “As an active member of the ‘Healthy in Vienna Kindergarten Network’, we represent a vision of ‘health for all’ – for children and their families and our employees.” Such a vision requires strong partnerships and, above all, the Willingness for continuous cooperation – an aspect that Martina Seda, chairwoman of the umbrella organization of Vienna’s private kindergartens and after-school care centers, also emphasizes. “We see the cooperation between WiG and the various kindergarten operators as a best practice example of cross-company collaboration. Ideas, activities and experiences in the areas of nutrition and exercise are bundled and made available for the benefit of the children in care, guardians and employees. A win-win-win situation for everyone involved,” says Seda.
In addition to physical health, the mental health of children and educational professionals is also repeatedly emphasized. Nicolaus Cortolezis, managing director of the Vienna Children’s Groups Association, puts this in a nutshell: “We attach particular importance to the mental health of children and educational professionals. A harmonious family environment, respectful communication at eye level and targeted support in difficult situations help to create a relaxed and trusting atmosphere. In this way, our children can grow up strengthened by joy and look to the future with optimism.”
For many institutions, cooperation between the providers is an important part of their work. “Vienna Health Promotion – WiG has been a reliable cooperation partner for years with many different offers to promote the health of children and employees in Viennese kindergartens. We are pleased to be part of this long-term partnership and to implement the offers and initiatives in our kindergartens,” says the KKTH – Association of Catholic Day Care Homes, which sees the long-term cooperation as a decisive factor for success.
Outlook for the next few years
The networking and mutual support of the partners has become stronger through the signing of the cooperation agreement. In this way, the network’s partners provide a lasting impetus for health promotion in Vienna’s elementary education sector. They agree that the exchange of knowledge and collaboration between the education and health sectors are crucial to creating a healthy environment for everyone involved. The partnership will be further expanded in the coming years and ideally expanded to include other providers.
About the project
The “Network Healthy in Vienna Kindergarten” is implemented by the Vienna Health Promotion – WiG. Since 2015, the network has offered a lively platform for personal exchange between the seven largest public and private elementary education and care institutions in Vienna and has the goal of promoting, maintaining and improving health in the kindergarten environment. The following are represented in the coordination group of the Healthy in Vienna Kindergarten network: Vienna Health Promotion – WiG, City of Vienna – Kindergartens, Vienna Children’s Friends, Children in Vienna, St. Nicholas Foundation Archdiocese of Vienna, umbrella association of Viennese private kindergartens and after-school care centers, Association of Vienna Children’s Groups, Association of Catholic Day Care Homes . As part of the health reform, a state health promotion fund (LGFF) was set up by social insurance and the city of Vienna. The “Healthy in Vienna Kindergarten Network” is financed from this.