Parents

Supporting ECEC services to increase children’s energetic play throughout the day, every day in a safe and supported environment.
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  • Selective Photo Of A Girl Holding Bubbles

    Is your childcare Play Active Certified?

    Active children learn all the movement skills they need for life. Not to mention, they sleep better!

    So you might be surprised to hear that two in three children at childcare don't get enough active play, data shows two in three children could be huffing and puffing more at childcare.

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    Three things parent can do!

    • 1Talk with the Educators at pick up about your child — what have they been doing today? Have they been outside? Have they been active?
    • 2Talk with the Educators at pick up about your child — what have they been doing today? Have they been outside? Have they been active?
    • 3Talk with the Educators at pick up about your child — what have they been doing today? Have they been outside? Have they been active?
    Check my service
"I have always been mindful of my children's health and it has been great to see a service like Play Active give parents the information we needed to make an informed choice about the right early learning centre for your children"
"I wanted to ensure that my children were in the right environment that actively promoted and encouraged active play"

Is your service a Play Active Member?

Which Early Childhood Education and Care services are Play Active members in your area?

For Directors

Check out if your service is a Play Active member. If not, become a member today.

For Educators

Check if your service is a Play Active member. If not, prompt your director to join.

For Parents

Find out if your child’s ECEC service is a Play Active member. If not, ask for Play Active at your service today.

Supporters

Play Active works together with the following supporters

Sonas Logo
Nature Play Logo
Colab Cmyk Cobranding
Play Austrlai 3
Wa Dept Of Health
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Free Happy Boy In Float Vest Hanging On Tree Branch Stock Photo

Ideas for active play at-home

We suggest talking with the experts! Educators at your child’s childcare are the experts in the types of active opportunities for your child’s developmental level, especially if they are Play Active Certified.
Talking with educators can help you find creative ways to get active with your children, without the need to download or read anything! Keep it fun, it’s play!
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Frequently asked questions

If you’re new to Play Active, welcome! Here’s a few common questions we get asked.

How much active play should be child do per day?

Depending on how old your child is, there is different guidance. But generally, it’s the more ‘energetic’-type play that children don’t do enough of these days. Energetic play, also called ‘huff and puff’ play, named after what it makes children do (huff and puff), includes running, jumping and climbing.

The Australian Government’s evidence-based guidance on the amount of active play (physical activity), sedentary behaviour (inactive sitting and lying down) and sleep children should do daily is available here.

24-Hr Movement Guidelines

On a typical 8-hour day at childcare, for 3-5 year olds, we reccomend 180 minutes of active play, including 30 minutes of energetic play (‘huff and puff’).

Talk with Educators at your childcare and find out what’s in their physical activity policy for your child’s age.

What's the history of Play Active?

You can find out more about Play Active on our About Us page.

About us
What is the evidence to say children aren't active enough?

Australian data from more than 1500 children shows that two in three children aren’t active enough while at childcare. Read more in the Child’s Play Report.

Childs Play Report

The importance of physical activity and energetic play

Did you know that young children aged 1 to 5 years need at least 3 hours per day in a variety of physical activities, including energetic play, spread throughout the day. More is better!

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What is energetic play?

Children aged 3-5 should have at least 60 minutes of energetic play each day. More is better!

Energetic play is ‘huff and puff’ activity. Young children do it in bursts. It is important they have lots of opportunities to do it throughout the day.

Health and developmental benefits

Physical activity provides young children with many health and developmental benefits including:

  • Improved bone and muscle health
  • Cardio-respiratory fitness
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Enhanced physical, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial development
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What is Play Active?

ECEC services play an important role in encouraging young children to be physically active, healthy and developing well.

Backed by 10 years of research and co-created with educators, Play Active provides easy to use and evidence-informed support for ECEC services to boost children’s energetic play at their service.

It’s quick and easy to join.

Testimonials

What do ECEC services say about Play Active?

Play Active has demonstrated exemplary standards of practice in collaboration and consultation, evidenced throughout the Department of Health’s long-standing affiliation with the project. The team has been highly effective in building a strong and engaged coalition of government and non- government organisations and researchers with a shared interest in supporting young children in leading active, happy and healthy lives. The success of the project to date is a reflection of the pragmatism, openness and readiness of the team to listen and learn and work with the sector on the creation of policies, practices and early childcare environments based on the best available evidence, and more importantly, a real-world understanding of what is possible.

Denise Sullivan

Director Chronic Disease Prevention
, western-australia
Profile
Play Active stands out as an exemplary initiative in collaborative practice between government and community organisations, setting the gold standard for early childhood education and care (ECEC) physical activity guidelines. Developed with comprehensive, evidence-informed research, it uniquely addresses the optimal balance of physical activity and sedentary time, including screen time, forchildren in ECEC settings. By integrating insights from health experts, educators, and policymakers, Play Active ensures that children receive the best possible start in life. This pioneering program not only enhances child development but also fosters a culture of active living, embodying the spirit of best practice in government-community collaboration.

Tanya Steers

Chair WA State Committee
, western-australia
Tanya Steers
If we know physical activity is important both for physical and mental and emotional wellbeing, and we know children aren’t physically active as they should be, then we can make decisions for the children we have in our care now, so we can improve their outcomes for the future. Play Active is the perfect tool to do that because it’s precise and gives good, direct information.

Shelly Prendergast

Owner
, western-australia
Shelly Prendergast
Play Active provides early childhood education and care centres and staff with high-quality guidance to modify their policies, environments and practices in ways that give children the best possible opportunities for early development, for both their bodies and minds. This benefits all children and in particular those with the greatest needs.

Trevor Shilton

Consultant
, western-australia
Trevor Shilton
The Australian Childcare Alliance WA has collaborated with Play Active for 7 years. Our work together is based on open communication, mutual respect and a shared vision. Though we operate in different fields, we share the same goal of advocating for the future of Australia’s children. By combining our expertise and resources, we strive to create a supportive and enriching environment. We promote and commend the Play Active program, which encourages energetic play as part of the well-being and development of young children across early learning services in Australia.

Rachelle Tucker

Chief Executive Officer
, western-australia
Rachelle Tucker
Play Active is an essential evidence-based program that we have actively contributed to in terms of its development and delivery to Goodstart services state-wide.

Todd Dawson

WA State Manager
, western-australia
Todd Dawson
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Five activities parents can do with their children at home!

  • Visit your local playground
  • Scoot, skate, ride, or walk to get from place to place, or to explore your neighbourhood
  • Play with balloons, bubbles, or balls. Keep them off the ground!
  • Have a dance party. Put on your favourite songs and dance!
  • Play games together. Try hide-and-seek, obstacle courses, or follow the leader!

What do parents say about Play Active?

"I have always been mindful of my children's health and it has been great to see a service like Play Active give parents the information we need to make an informed choice about the right early learning centre for my children"
"I wanted to ensure that my children were in the right environment that actively promoted and encouraged active play"