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A Good Start Matters Intervention Study

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Physical Inactivity
Motor Activity
Interventions
Behavioral: Appetite to Play +
Registration Number
NCT05669378
Lead Sponsor
University of British Columbia
Brief Summary

The BC government and partners developed Active Play Standards and a capacity-building strategy to help childcare centers implement the Standards. We have developed an intervention to supplement the governmental capacity-building strategies. The intervention is comprised of implementation support strategies targeted at childcare providers in BC that will aid with the sustainment of Active Play best practices at their facilities. The impact of the intervention will be assessed by measuring its impact on a) change in practices with respect to Active Play; and b) improving child-level outcomes (children's physical activity, sedentary behavior, and motor skill competencies). The findings will inform future policies and enhance our understanding of how policy action supported by communication, capacity-building, and sustainment strategies influence the environment of childcare centres.

Detailed Description

The Director of Licensing Standard of Practice - Active Play (Active Play Standard), mandates the provision of Active Play opportunities (amount of time spent outdoor, amount of physical activity, provision of fundamental skills) in licensed childcare centers in British Columbia, Canada. To support the implementation of this standard, the province released a capacity-building intervention, called Appetite to Play (ATP). Appetite to Play provides training and support to childcare providers in enhancing physical activity, physical literacy, and healthy eating environments in their facilities. To encourage the sustained use of ATP and aid childcare facilities in maintaining their adherence to the Active Play Standard, we have developed an intervention called, Appetite to Play +, targeted at facility managers and staff. The intervention builds upon ATP and is considered advanced training for childhood educators. The intervention involves the implementation of support strategies focused on integrating Active Play and fundamental movement skills into scheduling, curriculum planning, and creating a supportive environment for Active Play and healthy eating in childcare facilities.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
52
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention groupAppetite to Play +The experimental group will receive the Appetite to Play + intervention which is a capacity-building intervention that support childcare providers in implementing the best practices for active play. It includes a 3 e-learning online modules and then the are supported with weekly . bi-weekly emails.
Standard of care waitlist controlAppetite to Play +The standard of care waitlist control group will receive the intervention at 3-months post-randomization. The standard of care group has access to the Appetite to Play materials which are available to everyone. The site includes resources that childcare providers can use.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in practices related to active play (AP) and fundamental movement skills (FMS)Two time points -baseline and 3-month post intervention

Change in AP and FMS practices will examine child engagement in AP and FMS activities at the facility (e.g., time spent in AP, FMS, and outdoor activities, adherence to best practices). Assessment through observed practices using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) tool, and through self-reported practices based on questions developed by the Early Years Survey and the EPAO as a Self-Report instrument (EPAO-SR).

Fundamental movement skills (child outcomes)Two time points -baseline and 3-month post intervention

Children's FMS will be assessed with the validated Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3 a norm-referenced tool for assessing 13 gross motor skills). The measure takes 15-20 min per child to administer and provides standardized and percentile composite scores for the locomotor, object control, and gross motor quotient (GMQ) composites.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Characteristics of childcare settingsThree time points -baseline and 3-month, and 6-month post intervention

Assessment of organizational processes, structural support, and processing supporting implementation of Active Play policies as measured by the Early Years Survey and the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation as a Self-Report tool (EPAO-SR), including actions to prioritize AP and changes in the environment to support AP and FMS.

Characteristics of providersThree time points -baseline and 3-month, and 6-month post intervention

Assessment of staff and manager's knowledge and skills, self-efficacy, and commitment to changes facility practices to implement Active Play standards, as measured by the Early Years Survey and the EPAO-SR.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

BC Children's Hospital Research Institute

🇨🇦

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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