Physical activity policies and practices of childcare centres in Australia

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.

Authorized supervisors of 216 licensed pre-schools and long day care centres participated in a brief telephone survey.

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.

There is substantial scope for childcare services to modify their policies and practices to be more supportive of child physical activity.