Implementation of continuous free play schedules in Australian childcare services: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Issue addressed:Modifying the scheduling of physical activity opportunities to provide children with more frequent opportunities for outdoor free play has been demonstrated to increase child physical activity while in care. The primary aim of this study was to describe the implementation of continuous free play schedules to allow children to access outdoor play areas, consistent with sector guidelines in a national sample of Australian childcare services. Secondary aims were to investigate the associations between the implementation of such schedules and service characteristics, and assess the perceived barriers and enablers to implementation. Methods:A cross-sectional study was undertaken with a random sample of 326 centre-based childcare services located across Australia. Childcare service characteristics, continuous free play scheduling and perceived barriers and enablers to implementation were assessed via a survey administered to service managers online or via telephone. Results:A total of 203 service managers (62%) reported implementing a continuous free play schedule, for three periods of 126 minutes per period, each day on average. Service type (long day care services), size (services with higher numbers of child enrolments [≥80 children]) and socio-economic area (services located in lower socioeconomic areas) were associated with the implementation of a continuous free play schedule. The most prevalent barriers to implementation included insufficient staff to ensure adequate supervision of children (69%) and service layout being unsuitable (65%), while the most prevalent enablers included advice on how to overcome staffing or supervision issues (89%) and to re-orientate the service layout (54%). Conclusions:There is scope to support the implementation of continuous free play schedules consistent with childcare sector guidelines.So what? Future intervention research that targets the reported barriers and enablers to implementation is needed. K E Y W O R D Sactive play, child, childcare, early childhood, implementation, physical activity

A randomised controlled trial of an implementation strategy delivered at scale to increase outdoor free play opportunities in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services: a study protocol for the get outside get active (GOGA) trial

“…Block randomisation (2, 4 or 6) will be used to ensure group allocation is approximately equal. Allocation will be stratified by service type (long day care service or preschool) and service size (small < 80 child enrolments or large > = 80 or more child enrolments) given an association exists between these factors and the implementation of indoor-outdoor routines [ 20 ]. Randomisation will be undertaken following baseline data collection (T 0 ), and Service Managers will be notified of their group allocation following baseline data collection.…”

“…This framework was used to enable comprehensive barriers assessment to inform intervention development [ 38 ]. Barriers to service provision of outdoor free play opportunities were first identified via: i) a systematic review of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of physical activity policies in ECEC [ 39 ]; b) quantitative survey with ECEC services to assess key barriers and enablers to providing more outdoor free play opportunities [ 20 ]; and c) consultation with Service Managers and Educators from five ECEC services about the key barriers to implementation. The barriers identified from this process are described in Table 1 .…”

“…Observational studies in the US, however, have found that children in care spend an average of 33 min in outdoor free play, representing just 8% of the ECEC day [ 15 ]. A national survey of 203 Australian ECEC services indicated that approximately 60% were currently implementing routines including indoor-outdoor play to increase time spent outdoors [ 20 ]. Although the majority of ECEC managers indicate being supportive of outdoor free play and implementing indoor-outdoor routines, they also report the need for assistance with planning appropriate staffing and practical strategies to orientate the layout of their service to facilitate transitions outside [ 20 ].…”

A pilot randomised controlled trial to increase the sustainment of an indoor-outdoor free play program in early childhood education and care services following the introduction of outdoor free play guidelines: a study protocol for the Sustaining Play, Sustaining Health (SPSH) trial

“…This refers to periods of free play located in both the indoor and outdoor environments, where children can move freely between the two. Our national study with 203 Australian services shows that approximately 60% of ECEC services were implementing indoor-outdoor free play programs between December 2017 and August 2018 (19).…”

A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial to Increase the Sustainment of an Indoor–Outdoor-Free-Play Program in Early Childhood Education and Care Services: A Study Protocol for the Sustaining Play, Sustaining Health (SPSH) Trial

“…This refers to periods of free play located in both indoor and outdoor environments, with children able to move freely between the two. Our national study with 203 Australian services shows that approximately 60% of ECEC services implemented indoor–outdoor free-play programs between December 2017 and August 2018 [ 19 ].…”