However, many Australian children aged two to five don’t get the recommended three hours of physical activity per day, including 60 minutes of energetic play.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services play an important role in encouraging young children to be physically active, healthy and developing well and are an ideal setting to help ensure all children are getting enough energetic play throughout the day, every day.

Backed by 10 years of research and co-created with the ECEC sector, Play Active is the only program of its kind in Australia that provides clear guidelines on the amount of physical activity, sedentary time and screen time children should have in ECEC.

The program provides a service-tailored physical activity policy, free professional development, resources and support that will help services meet and exceed National Quality Standard 2.1: ‘Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted’ and is aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework.

Play Active supports thousands of children in ECEC services across Australia to move more every day so that all young Australian children can have an active and healthy start to life.

Play Active is a joint initiative between The Kids Research Institute Australia and research institutes, universities, ECEC services and agencies, government and not-for-profit organisations.

Play Active is an evidence-based physical activity program designed to boost energetic play in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings and provides clear guidance on the amount of physical activity, sedentary time and screen time children should have at ECEC.

Led by The Kids Research Institute Australia, alongside The University of Western Australia and co-created with the ECEC sector, Play Active is the only program of its kind in Australia that provides evidence-informed guidelines for ECEC services to ensure all children are getting enough energetic play throughout the day, every day.

The program offers a service-tailored physical activity policy, free professional development, resources, and support to help services meet and exceed National Quality Standard 2.1: ‘Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted’ and is aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework.

Play Active supports the provision of healthier, active environments for all children to grow and flourish.

Find out more at playactive.org.au

About Play Active

Play Active is an evidence-based physical activity program designed to boost energetic play in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings. Children enjoy energetic play and it’s essential for their happiness, the development of fundamental movement and social skills, and to help them become more confident and resilient. Led by The Kids Research Institute Australia and co-created with the ECEC sector, Play Active is the only program of its kind in Australia that provides evidence-informed guidelines for ECEC services to ensure all children are getting enough energetic play throughout the day, every day. The program offers professional development, tailored resources, and support to help services meet and exceed National Quality Standard 2.1: ‘Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted’; and includes clear guidance on the amount of physical activity, sedentary time and screen time children should have at ECEC.

Play Active’s sector partners:

Early Childhood Australia, Australian Childcare Alliance WA, Australian Childcare Alliance QLD, Australian Childcare Alliance SA, Goodstart Early Learning, YMCA WA, Sonas Early Learning, Sagewood Early Learning. Play Active’s supporting partners: Cancer Council Western Australia, Nature Play WA, Play Australia, Play Matters Collective, WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Health & Wellbeing Queensland. Play Active’s research partners: The Kids Research Institute Australia (lead organisation), University of Western Australia, University of Queensland, University of South Australia, University of Sydney, University of Southern Denmark (Denmark), University of Victoria (Canada). Play Active’s funding partners: Australian Medical Research Future Fund (#2022912), Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway) (#34818), Heart Foundation (#102549 – A/Prof Christian fellowship) and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Children and Families across the Life Course (Life Course Centre) (#200100025).