Play Active is an evidence-based program developed and led by The Kids Research Institute and the University of Western Australia, based on more than 10 years of research. Deakin Health Economics is collaborating with lead investigator Professor Hayley Christian from The Kids Research Institute to understand how well the program works in practice, which factors should be considered to expand the program across Australia, and whether it delivers good value for money.
The need
Physical activity is essential for children’s healthy development, yet many young children do not get enough physical activity each day. Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings are key environments for supporting movement and reducing sitting time. In Australia, ECEC services are required to meet National Quality Standards including Quality Area 2.1: ‘Every child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted’. However, there is little support, training or resources to help services meet this standard. The Play Active program addresses this gap by providing ECEC services with clear, age-group specific, evidence-based practical advice about how to get young children to move more and engage in daily energetic play. Play Active has been scaled for national delivery and is currently being rolled out and evaluated in ECEC services across the country.
About
The Play Active program is led by the Kids Research Institute and the University of Western Australia and aims to help young children be more active during their day. The economic evaluation is being conducted by Deakin Health Economics. Currently, a selection of ECECs in all states and territories are trialling the program over a 24-month period. The program provides ECEC services with supports and resources to develop and embed physical activity and energetic play into their everyday practices. These supports and resources include a tailored physical activity policy, professional development for staff, and resources for educators and families. Outcomes of the project include whether ECEC services and educators improve their physical activity practices, children engage in more energetic play at ECEC, and the program can be implemented in the long-term and across Australia. The economic analysis will help determine the cost-effectiveness of the Play Active program and its potential value for money if implemented at a national level.
Impact
Increase young children’s energetic play while in ECEC and support their health, learning and development.
Improve understanding of the resources required by different stakeholders to implement and scale the Play Active program nationally.
Provide evidence on the cost-effectiveness of the Play Active program, including its potential value-for-money if implemented at the national level.
Provide evidence to support informed, evidence-based investment in the Play Active program beyond its funding sources.
Partners
Funding
Our funding is pooled from a number of organisations and research funds.
- Australian Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Preventative Public Health Research Initiative — Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles (APP2022912)
- Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway) (34818)
- Partially through the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (#CE200100025)