A Good Start Matters Intervention Study

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA · Dec 20, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "A Good Start Matters Intervention Study" is looking into how to improve physical activity and motor skills in young children aged 2½ to 5 years old. The study aims to help childcare centers in Metro Vancouver adopt better practices for active play, which is essential for children's health and development. By providing support and strategies to these childcare providers, the study will measure changes in how they encourage active play and see if this leads to better physical activity levels and motor skills in children.

To be eligible for the study, childcare centers must be located in the Metro Vancouver area and care for at least 10 children within the target age range for a minimum of 4 hours each day. Additionally, managers and staff at these centers need to work full-time and care for children aged 2½ to 5 years. If a childcare center participates, the children who attend will also be part of the study. Participants can expect to help improve their childcare practices and contribute to important findings that could shape future policies for child health and activity levels.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for childcare center:
• • Located in the Metro Vancouver region
• • Provides care to at least 10 children older than 2 1/2 years and younger than 6 years
• • Childcare program that is longer than 4 hours each day
• • Inclusion for child outcomes / measurement
• • children must attend a childcare that has volunteered to participate in the study
• • Child must be older than 2 1/2 years and younger than 6 years of age
• Inclusion 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 6 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 6-year-old children. Aged 19 years or older.
• Exclusion Criteria for childcare center:
• • Located outside Metro Vancouver region
• • Facilities caring only for children under 2 1/2 years old or older than 6 years
• • Family or in-home multi-age childcare
• Exclusion Criteria for managers and staff childcare centers:
• • Do not care or supervise 2 ½ to 6 years old children
• • Work less than 3 full days per week
• • Administrative assistant/office manager
• • Younger than 19 years of age