The Influence of the Early Childhood Education and Care Environment on Young Children’s Physical Activity

(1) Background: Participation in physical activity is crucial for the healthy growth and development of young children. More robust measurement of environmental influences on children's physical activity in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings may help resolve inconsistencies in the literature. This study evaluated the reliability of an environmental audit and educator practice survey for assessing ECEC physical, policy, and social environments related to young children's physical activity. (2) Methods: A convenience sample of 20 ECEC centres participated in this PLAYCE (Play Spaces and Environments for Children's Physical Activity) sub-study. Trained auditors conducted audits and educators completed surveys, two weeks apart. Test-retest reliability of the survey ( n = 32), inter-rater ( n = 20 pairs) and intra-rater reliability ( n = 38) of the audit was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), Kappa statistics and percent agreement. (3) Results: Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability ICCs for outdoor equipment, spaces and features were good to excellent (ICC = 0.70-0.94), while ratings for indoor equipment, media and spaces varied from fair to excellent (ICC = 0.46-0.78). The majority of items were rated by Kappa as moderate or above for intra-rater, inter-rater and survey test-retest reliability. (4) Conclusions: The PLAYCE Study instruments provide reliable measures of ECEC physical activity environments which can help to better understand influences on young children's physical activity

Audit · Business · Developmental psychology · Early childhood · Early childhood education · Kappa · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Reliability (semiconductor · Test (biology · Applied Psychology · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Injury Epidemiology and Prevention · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Gerontology

• Where are preschoolers active in childcare centers? A hot-spot analysis using GIS, GPS and accelerometry data

  Pulan Bai, Jasper Schipperijn et al.•Children s Geographies•2022

  Incluir item

• Evaluating the effectiveness of the Play Active policy intervention and implementation support in early childhood education and care

  Open Access•Andrea Nathan, E Adams et al.•BMC Public Health•2022

  Incluir item

• Physical Activity-Related Practices and Psychosocial Factors of Childcare Educators

  Open Access•Emma K Adams, Andrea Nathan et al.•Children•2024

  Incluir item

• Finnish Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions of Perceived Competence in Early Childhood Physical Education

  Open Access•Anne Soini, Anthony Watt et al.•International Journal of…•2021

  Incluir item

• The Childcare Environment and Children’s Physical Activity

  Open Access•Julie K Bower, Derek Hales et al.•American Journal of Preventive…•2008

  Incluir item

• Physical Activity Among Children Attending Preschools

  Russell R Pate, Karin A Pfeiffer et al.•PEDIATRICS•2004

  Incluir item

• The Influence of Centre-Based Childcare on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity Levels

  Open Access•Leigh M Vanderloo, Patricia Tucker et al.•International Journal of…•2014

  Incluir item

• The Effect of Upgrades to Childcare Outdoor Spaces on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity

  Open Access•Michelle Ng, Michael Rosenberg et al.•International Journal of…•2020

  Incluir item

• Nature Play and Fundamental Movement Skills Training Programs Improve Childcare Educator Supportive Physical Activity Behavior

  Open Access•Pulan Bai, Ashleigh Thornton et al.•International Journal of…•2019

  Incluir item

• A collaborative approach to adopting/adapting guidelines - The Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the early years (Birth to 5 years)

  Open Access•Anthony D Okely, Davina Ghersi et al.•BMC Public Health•2017

  Incluir item

• Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0–4 years)

  Open Access•Mark S Tremblay, Jean‐philippe Chaput et al.•BMC Public Health•2017

  Incluir item

• Physical Activity Practices, Policies and Environments in Washington State Child Care Settings

  Open Access•Pooja S Tandon, Kelly Walters et al.•Maternal and Child Health Journal•2016

  Incluir item

• An Instrument to Assess the Obesogenic Environment of Child Care Centers

  Dianne S Ward, Dianne Ward•American Journal of Health Behavior•2008

  Incluir item

• Establishing and maintaining healthy environments

  Daniel Stokols•American Psychologist•1992

  Incluir item