Educators

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.

The Australian Childcare Alliance WA has collaborated with Play Active for seven 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.

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.

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.

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, for children 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.

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.

Play Active has been a very positive experience for our service. Having a tailored policy, along with clear language and tools, has made it easier to embed physical activity into our everyday program. The resources, such as Move It Mondays and physical activity prompts, have supported educators in planning and delivering active play experiences.

Engagement with the Play Active team has also strengthened our confidence in promoting physical activity and aligning our practices with health and wellbeing priorities. The program has helped reduce negative behaviours and supports children’s overall wellbeing through increased movement opportunities.