Physical activity policies and practices of childcare centres in Australia
- 28 February 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Vol. 47 (3), 73-76
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01738.x
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the physical activity-related policies and practices of childcare services; and to determine if service size, socioeconomic or remoteness characteristics predict such policies and practices. Methods: Authorized supervisors of 216 licensed pre-schools and long day care centres participated in a brief telephone survey. Results: Few services had a written physical activity policy, programmed time each day for fundamental movement skill development, or had staff trained in physical activity. Twenty-eight percent of pre-schools and 30% of long day care centres provided daily opportunities for children 3-5 years to participate in sedentary screen activities. Rural pre-schools and long day care centres were more likely to program time for fundamental movement skills development, as were pre-schools from higher socioeconomic areas. Conclusions: There is substantial scope for childcare services to modify their policies and practices to be more supportive of child physical activity.This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit:
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