title: Physical activity policies and practices of childcare centres in Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia. luke.wolfenden@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wolfenden
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neve
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lecathelinais
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milat
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiggers
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sutherland
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002654:Child Care; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011640:Public Policy