Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to gain consensus on an evidence informed physical activity policy template for early childhood education and care (ECEC) and determine best-practice dissemination and implementation strategies using the Delphi process.MethodsThree-round modified Delphi methodology. During round one an expert working group developed an evidence informed ECEC specific physical activity policy template. Rounds two and three involved national online surveys to seek insight from a group of experts on the draft physical activity policy template.ResultsNinety per cent of experts reported ECEC services are fully responsible for having a physical activity policy. There was consensus on the components of the policy and key physical activity and sedentary behaviour statements and recommendations. The most effective methods for disseminating a physical activity policy to ECEC providers included online (websites, social and electronic media), ECEC targeted launch events, direct mail outs and via professional associations. Twenty five key strategies related to management, supervisors and educators; the ECEC physical environment; communicating with families; and accreditation, monitoring and review, were identified as necessary for the successful implementation of physical activity policy in ECEC. Experts reached consensus on nine of these strategies indicating they were both easy to implement and likely to have a high level of influence. Key barriers and enablers to implementing ECEC-specific physical activity were also identified.ConclusionsThis evidence informed physical activity policy template for ECEC provides recommendations on the amount of physical activity and sedentary time (including screen time) children should have whilst attending ECEC and aligns with national/international guidelines. A number of effective physical activity policy implementation strategies for ECEC were identified. An important next step is advocating for the introduction of legislative requirements for services to have and implement a physical activity policy.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to gain consensus on an evidence informed physical activity policy template for early childhood education and care (ECEC) and determine best-practice dissemination and implementation strategies using the Delphi process
This evidence informed physical activity policy template for ECEC provides recommendations on the amount of physical activity and sedentary time children should have whilst attending ECEC and aligns with national/international guidelines
An important step is advocating for the introduction of legislative requirements for services to have and implement a physical activity policy
Summary
The aim of this study was to gain consensus on an evidence informed physical activity policy template for early childhood education and care (ECEC) and determine best-practice dissemination and implementation strategies using the Delphi process. The Guidelines include recommended levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in a 24-h period for infants (0–1 year), toddlers (1–2 years) and pre-schoolers (2–5 years) [6]. In 2018 the World Health Organization, for the first time, released guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age [7]. These guidelines recommend that young children aged 2 to 5 years spend at least 3 h per day in a variety of physical activities, including energetic play, spread throughout the day, with more time being better [6]. Device-based measures of physical activity show less than a third of Australian pre-schoolers achieve the recommended 3 h of physical activity per day required for health and development [10, 11]
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