Melissa M. van Zandvoort

The Influence of Centre-Based Childcare on Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study

The childcare environment represents an appropriate avenue to support physical activity among preschoolers. The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to measure the physical activity levels of a sample of preschoolers during childcare hours; and (2) to assess which attributes (e.g., space, equipment, policies) within centre-based childcare environments influenced physical activity. Thirty-one preschoolers from 5 childcare centres across London, Canada participated. Actical accelerometers were worn by participants for one day during childcare hours to assess activity levels using a 15 second epoch length. The Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation instrument was used to conduct a full-day evaluation of the childcare environment. On average, participants engaged in 1.54 min/h of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and 17.42 min/h of total physical activity. Sedentary opportunities, portable and fixed play equipment, and staff behaviour accounted for 49.3% of the variability in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and 14.1% of the variability in total physical activity, with sedentary opportunities, fixed play equipment, and staff behaviours displaying an inverse relationship. Results emphasize the critical role the childcare environment plays in supporting physical activity among preschoolers.

Physical activity at daycare: issues, challenges and perspectives

This study sought to examine London, Ontario‐based childcare providers’ perspectives of the barriers and facilitators to physical activity participation among preschoolers (i.e. children aged 2.5–5 years) attending daycare. A heterogeneous sample of childcare providers (n = 54; response rate 47%) working at public daycare facilities in London, Ontario participated. Using a qualitative methodology, eight semi‐structured focus groups were conducted between February and March 2009. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was used to code and categorize emerging themes. When asked to describe the barriers to engaging preschoolers in physical activity while at daycare, participants discussed inadequate equipment, insufficient space, daycare requirements and safety concerns, and weather. When asked to describe the facilitators, participants cited resources, music and the childcare providers themselves. This study’s findings provide contextual and descriptive information with potentially significant implications for childcare directors, parents and researchers to promote and support physical activity participation among preschoolers attending daycare.

Physical activity at daycare: Childcare providers’ perspectives for improvements

In London, Ontario, approximately 45 percent of preschoolers are insufficiently active.With the large number of preschoolers who attend childcare (54%), and the low levels of physical activity among preschool-aged children, daycare centers may be an appropriate avenue to intervene. This study sought to collect childcare providers’ suggestions for improving physical activity during daycare hours and their perspectives regarding the feasibility of meeting the physical activity guidelines currently set out for preschoolers. This qualitative study targeted a heterogeneous sample of childcare providers (n = 54) working at YMCA daycare centers in London, Ontario. Eight focus groups were conducted. Saturation was reached by the fifth focus group; however, three additional focus groups were completed to confirm that the researchers continued hearing the same responses. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was used to code and categorize emerging themes. Strategies were incorporated to ensure data trustworthiness. Childcare providers believed the children in their care were quite active and when asked what would be required to increase the physical activity participation among the preschoolers in their care, participants discussed: staff training/workshops; guest physical activity instructors; additional equipment and resources; and increased funds for physical activity. The majority of focus group participants also felt it was feasible for the preschoolers in their care to meet or exceed the preschooler physical activity guidelines. Developing programs and resources that are informed by childcare providers may be an effective way to target sedentary behaviors among the preschool-aged population. Accordingly, childcare providers’ suggestions of how to maximize the opportunities for physical activity during daycare hours should be considered when developing and revising childcare curriculum, resources and policies.

Learning environments’ activity potential for preschoolers (LEAPP): study rationale and design

Background The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the study protocol for the Learning Environments’ Activity Potential for Preschoolers (LEAPP) study, the goal of which is to describe the activity levels of preschoolers attending various early learning venues and explore which attributes of these facilities (e.g. curriculum, policies, equipment, etc.) support activity participation. Design and methods This cross-sectional study aimed to recruit approximately 30 early learning environments requesting participation from preschoolers aged 2.5-5 years. Data collection included: Actical accelerometers (MiniMitter, Oregon, USA) to measure the activity levels of children for five consecutive days (15-second epoch length) while in care; the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation tool to explore the early learning environment’s impact on activity; anthropometric data; the Child Temperament Questionnaire to assess the influence of preschoolers’ temperament on physical activity; and demographic information from parents/guardians and early learning staff. ANOVA and linear regression analyses will be conducted to assess variances in activity levels among preschoolers attending different early learning types and to explore the impact of early learning environments on their activity levels. Independent sample t-tests will be used to examine differences in activity levels based on sex and weight status. Expected impact of the study for public health This research will provide the first Canadian data to address environmental influences on preschoolers’ activity levels in differing early learning environments. Additionally, this work will highlight the extent to which activity levels vary among preschoolers enrolled in full-day kindergarten, centre-, and home-based childcare. Significance for public health This study represents the first examination of the differences in physical activity levels among preschoolers attending various early learning environments. As such, it is important that the methodology undertaken be shared in the event that other researchers doing comparable work want to adopt a similar approach. Results of this research may inform the work of health promotion, public health, and early learning stakeholders. Specifically this work may impact early learning curricula, policies, and practices in service of helping Canada’s preschool cohort become sufficiently physically active.

Response to ‘Reply to Van Zandvoort, Tucker, Irwin and Burke: Physical Activity at Daycare: Issues, Challenges and Perspectives’ by Albon

To the Editors of Early Years: The authors of ‘Physical activity at daycare: issues, challenges and perspectives’ wish to take this opportunity to reiterate that our manuscript describes the experiences of a sample of practitioners in Canadian centre-based childcare facilities, with regard to physical activity promotion and opportunities. Research suggests that childcare centres may be one avenue for supporting increased physical activity among preschool-aged children. Seeking to understand childcare practitioners’ experiences is in line with the aims and scope of Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development. Given the complex nature of physical activity, childhood obesity and early childhood education, there are many perspectives from which to view this work and this research represents one avenue of study. Our aims were to: (1) garner a clearer understanding of childcare providers’ perspectives on the challenges and facilitators to engaging children in physical activity at daycare; (2) apply our expertise as health sciences researchers, and our knowledge of previous research to facilitate a discussion of the current study’s results; and (3) highlight the childcare facility as one avenue through which healthy behaviours can be supported. As a multidisciplinary team of Health Sciences researchers, this approach reflects the lens through which we view the issues examined – and clearly the journal and the reviewers believed that this was an important and worthwhile contribution to the literature. That being said, we are delighted that readers such as Drs Deborah Albon and Elizabeth Appleton (whose comments on this paper have been posted on the TACTYC reflections web page: http://www.tactyc.org.uk/pdfs/Reflection-Appleton. pdf), with expertise and experiences different from our own, are taking the time to consider this work from their own perspectives, and that our paper is functioning as a springboard for debate, which is a valuable aspect of academic work.