merrion street

The Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Roderic O’Gorman TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy Frank Feighan, TD today announced a collaboration with Healthy Ireland as part of the Let’s Get Ready campaign. Let’s Get Ready – is a gov.ie resource to support young children and their parents/guardians plan for returning to Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings or transitioning to pre-school or primary school for the first time. This element of the campaign concentrates on healthy lunch boxes.

As Early Learning and Care settings plan to re-open at the end of August, the Let’s Get Ready website provides guidance for children and parents preparing to return these settings. There is a particular focus on new public health requirements introduced in response to COVID-19. From 17 August the focus on the Let’s Get Ready campaign will be all about making healthy food choices when packing a lunch box for pre-school and school.
The Let’s Get Ready website also focuses on children preparing to attend pre-school or primary school for the first time from this September. Let’s Get Ready includes guidance for parents on practical steps they can take to support their children over these coming weeks and tips on what children and parents can expect on their transition or return to pre-school and primary school. Information contains ideas for parents on healthy content of lunch boxes and appropriate portion size using leaflets prepared by safefood , the North-South body responsible for promoting food safety and healthy eating.
Minister O’Gorman said,

As we get closer to the start of the new pre-school year , the ’Let’s Get Ready’ website has lots of useful tips for parents and guardians to help support their children, whether it’ll be a first day at crèche or a return to school. Let’s Get Ready will give parents ideas for healthy lunches and help children practice independence skills, like getting lunch and washing their hands.

Minister Feighan said,

When a child starts school, it is the beginning of their own personal learning journey. During this time children gather new skills that will last them a lifetime. The enjoyment of healthy food and snacks and making healthy food choices will support their growth and development now and throughout their life. As a result, I strongly encourage all parents to help their children to make these positive health choices and help us all towards a Healthier Ireland.