A Good Start Matters Intervention Study

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.

Inclusion Criteria for childcare center:Located in the Metro Vancouver regionProvides care to at least 10 children aged 2 1/2 to 5 yearsChildcare program that is longer than 4 hours each dayInclusion for child outcomes / measurementchildren must attend a childcare that has volunteered to participate in the studyChild must be between 2 1/2 to 5 years of ageInclusion 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 5 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 5-year-old children. Aged 19 years or older.Exclusion Criteria for childcare center:Located outside Metro Vancouver regionFacilities caring only for children under 2 1/2 years old or older than 5 yearsFamily or in-home multi-age childcareExclusion Criteria for managers and staff childcare centers:Do not care or supervise 2 ½ to 5 years old childrenWork less than 3 full days per weekAdministrative assistant/office managerYounger than 19 years of age