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