title: Pre-school manager training: a cost-effective tool to promote nutrition- and health-related practice improvements in the Irish full-day-care pre-school setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact on nutrition- and health-related practice of two methods of delivery of a nutrition and health intervention in Irish full-day-care pre-schools: training of pre-school managers only or training of managers and their staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  A simple randomised study with pre-schools divided into two training groups: 'manager trained' and 'manager and staff trained'. Direct observational data--food and fluid provision, physical activity, outdoor time, staff practices and availability of nutrition and health resources--were recorded during one full day spent in each pre-school both pre- and post-intervention, using a specifically developed and validated Pre-school Health Promotion Activity Scored Evaluation Form. Post-intervention, self-assessment data were also collected using the same evaluation tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre-schools, Midlands of Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of forty-two pre-schools registered with the Irish Health Service Executive.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From pre- to post-intervention, significant improvement (P < 0.05) in nutrition- and health-related practice was observed within both intervention delivery groups in all areas evaluated: environment, food service, meals and snacks. No additional effect attributable to staff training was observed. Scores assigned by direct independent observation were lower than pre-school self-assessment scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of a training intervention in pre-schools significantly improved practice with no significant benefit of additional staff training. Direct independent observation is required to quantify practice accurately.
authors.affiliation: 1Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service,Health Service Executive Dublin Mid-Leinster,Primary Care Unit,St. Loman's Hospital Campus,Co. Westmeath,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnston Molloy
authors.affiliation: 2School of Biological Sciences,Dublin Institute of Technology,Dublin,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.affiliation: 3Faculty of Applied Arts,Dublin Institute of Technology,Dublin,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Nóirín
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: 1Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service,Health Service Executive Dublin Mid-Leinster,Primary Care Unit,St. Loman's Hospital Campus,Co. Westmeath,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Corina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Glennon Slattery
authors.affiliation: 2School of Biological Sciences,Dublin Institute of Technology,Dublin,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corish
mesh_terms: D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012572:School Health Services; D012578:Schools, Nursery; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Child care; Health promotion practice; Nutrition; Pre-schools; Training