Physical Activity Promotion Policy

NQS

QA2
2.1.3:Healthy lifestyle - Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted and appropriate for each child.

EYLF

LO3

• ​Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing
• Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

Aim

To provide children with a physically active program that is developmentally appropriate.

Related Policies

• Additional Needs Policy
• ​Physical Environment (Workplace Safety, Learning and Administration) Policy
• Relationships with Children Policy

Who is affected by this policy?

• Children
• Families
• Educators
• ​Management

Implementation

The service will implement the Munch and Move Program, Healthy Eating for Physical Activity for Early Childhood program. A copy of the program can be found at the below web address:
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In line with this, our service will implement the following promotion of physical activity as per the age and development stage of each child in attendance:

• Toddlers (1 to 3 years) and pre-schoolers (3 to 5 years) should be physically active every day for at least three hours, spread throughout the day.
• For children two to five years of age, sitting and watching television and the use of other electronic media (DVDs, computer and other electronic games) should be limited to less than one hour per day.
• Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers should not be sedentary, restrained or kept inactive for more than one hour at a time – with the exception of sleeping

Educator’s Will:

• Encourage children to participate in physical activities through programming and spontaneous experiences.
• Encourage and support children to undertake and participate in new or unfamiliar physical activities.
• Participate in physical activity with the children.
• Show enthusiasm for participation in physical activity and organise play spaces to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all individuals in the environment.
• Set up and plan for plan for physical play activities and equipment and where appropriate encourage the children to help with the set-up.
• Listen to children’s suggestions on what physical activities they would like to participate in and where appropriate incorporate them into the program
• Set up indoor and outdoor areas in a manner that promotes and encourages safe physical play for all age groups and developmental abilities represented in the service.
• Actively encourage children to accept and respect each other’s range of physical abilities.
• Consult with families and resource agencies on providing physical experiences that reflect diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Role model appropriate footwear and clothing for physical activity.
• Will ensure a balance of active and sedentary activities throughout the child’s day and minimize sedentary behaviours unless the child is tired or ill.

The service will support the children in:

• Learning to use increasingly complex motor skills and movement patterns in order to combine gross and fine movement and balance skills, spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
• The development of their physical skill set by providing regular opportunities for outdoor play.
• The development of their physical skill set by talking with children about how the human body and how important physical activity is for an individual’s health and wellbeing.
• The development of their physical skill set by providing experiences for the children that draw on elements of dance, dramatic play and creative movement.
  
  

Sources

• Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
• National Quality Standard
• Munch and Move Program
• ​Early Years Learning Framework
  
  

Review

The policy will be reviewed annually by:

• Management
• Employees
• Families
• ​Interested Parties

Reviewed: August 2018
Date for next review: August 2019