Intervention to enhance active play in childcare centers
A Good Start Matters: Do Supportive Childcare Centre Environments, Policies and Practices Enhance Physical Activity?
This study is testing a new program to help childcare centers in British Columbia get kids moving more and developing their motor skills through active play.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 52 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Months and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of British Columbia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Vancouver, British Columbia) |
| Trial ID | NCT05669378 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This intervention aims to support childcare centers in British Columbia in implementing Active Play Standards, which promote physical activity and motor skill development among children. The program, called Appetite to Play +, provides advanced training and implementation support for childcare providers to integrate Active Play into their daily routines. The effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated by measuring changes in childcare practices and improvements in children's physical activity levels and motor skills. The findings will help shape future policies and enhance understanding of how to create supportive environments for active play in childcare settings.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are childcare centers in the Metro Vancouver region that care for children aged 2½ to 6 years.
Not a fit: Childcare centers that do not meet the age or operational criteria, or those outside the Metro Vancouver area, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve children's physical activity levels and motor skills in early childhood settings.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies focusing on active play interventions in childcare settings have shown positive outcomes, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for childcare center: * Located in the Metro Vancouver region * Provides care to at least 10 children older than 2 1/2 years and younger than 6 years * Childcare program that is longer than 4 hours each day Inclusion for child outcomes / measurement * children must attend a childcare that has volunteered to participate in the study * Child must be older than 2 1/2 years and younger than 6 years of age Inclusion Criteria for managers and staff childcare centers: \- Managers at licensed BC childcare facilities, working full time (at least 3 full days per week) in a facility for children aged 2½ to 6 years, defined as an Executive Director, supervisor, or program manager. Aged 19 years or older. OR \- Childcare staff at licensed BC childcare facilities, working full time (at least 3 full days per week), defined as Early Childhood Educator, instructor, or staff that cares for 2½ to 6-year-old children. Aged 19 years or older. Exclusion Criteria for childcare center: * Located outside Metro Vancouver region * Facilities caring only for children under 2 1/2 years old or older than 6 years * Family or in-home multi-age childcare Exclusion Criteria for managers and staff childcare centers: * Do not care or supervise 2 ½ to 6 years old children * Work less than 3 full days per week * Administrative assistant/office manager * Younger than 19 years of age
Where this trial is running
Vancouver, British Columbia
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Louise C Masse, PhD — University of British Columbia
- Study coordinator: Louise C Masse, PhD
- Email: lmasse@bcchr.ubc.ca
- Phone: 604-875-2000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.