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Background: Opportunities for physical activity within out of school hours care (OSHC) are not well documented in Australia. This study explored factors associated with children (5–12 years) meeting 30 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) while attending OSHC in the afternoon period. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted in 89 OSHC services in New South Wales, Australia, serving 4,408 children. Each service was visited twice between 2018–2019. Physical activity promotion practices were captured via short interviews and System for Observing Staff Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition (SOSPAN). Physical activity spaces was measured (m2) and physical activity of 3,614 child days (42% girls), were collected using Acti-Graph accelerometers. Association between program practices and children accumulation of MVPA was tested using mixed effects logistic regression, adjusted by OSHC service and child. Results: Twenty-six percent of children (n = 925) accumulated 30 min or more of MVPA. Factors associated with children reaching MVPA recommendations included: services scheduling greater amounts of child-led free play, both 30–59 min (OR 2.6, 95%CI 1.70, 3.98) and ≥ 60 min (OR 6.4, 95%CI 3.90, 10.49); opportunities for staff-led organised play of ≥ 30 min (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.47, 3.83); and active games that engaged the majority of children (OR 1.7, 95%CI 1.11, 2.61). Children were less likely to meet MVPA recommendations if services played games with elimination components (OR 0.56, 95%CI 0.37, 0.86). Conclusion: Improvements to service-level physical activity promotion practices, specifically the type of physical activity scheduled and the structure of games, may be an effective strategy to increase MVPA of children attending OSHC afterschool in NSW, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the quality and quantity of foods and beverages provided to children aged 0-5 years in family day care and identify structural and sociodemographic factors associated with the nutritional quality of food provided.Design: A cross-sectional study measured the food and beverages provided to children using weighed food records. The number of serves from different food groups was calculated according to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, and a healthy food provision index score was created. Associations between structural and sociodemographic factors and healthy food provision index scores were analysed using linear mixed models.Setting: Family day care services in two large geographic areas in New South Wales, Australia.Participants: One hundred and four children in thirty-three family day care services.Results: During attendance at childcare, most children met recommended servings of fruit but not dairy, vegetables, lean meat and meat alternatives and wholegrains. Discretionary foods exceeded recommendations. Children's age, socio-economic status and the type of main meal provided were significantly associated with the healthy food provision index score.Conclusions: Foods provided to children in family day care are aligned with dietary recommendations for fruit but not vegetables, dairy, lean meat and meat alternatives, wholegrains or discretionary foods. Interventions to promote healthy eating are needed to support families and educators to improve the nutritional quality of food provided to children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, less than one quarter of children aged 5–12 years meet national physical activity (PA) guidelines. Before school care operates as part of Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) services and provide opportunities for children to meet their daily PA recommendations. The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with children meeting 15 min of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) while attending before school care. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 services in New South Wales, Australia. Each service was visited twice between March and June 2021. Staff behaviours and PA type and context were captured using staff interviews and the validated System for Observing Staff Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition (SOSPAN) time sampling tool. Child PA data were collected using Actigraph accelerometers and associations between program practices and child MVPA analysed. PA data were analysed for 654 children who spent an average of 39.2% (±17.6) of their time sedentary; 45.4% (±11.4) in light PA; and 14.9% (±11.7) in MVPA. Only 17% of children (n = 112) reached ≥15 min MVPA, with boys more likely to achieve this. Children were more likely to meet this recommendation in services where staff promoted and engaged in PA; PA equipment was available; children were observed in child-led free play; and a written PA policy existed. Before school care should be supported to improve physical activity promotion practices by offering staff professional development and guidance on PA policy development and implementation practices. • Before school care can promote increased child physical activity. • Less than one in five children are sufficiently active while attending. • Children are more active when staff promote and participate in the activity. • Services may benefit from a physical activity policy and active equipment. • Staff professional development around physical activity is encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Childcare settings have been widely identified as important venues for promoting healthy lifestyles to children. Out-of-school hours care (OSHC) is a rapidly growing childcare service, yet there has been limited research reported on healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) environments within the Australian OSHC setting. This research aims to describe the HEPA environments related to foods and beverages served, staff behaviours and child physical activity levels across two local health districts within New South Wales, Australia. This study will provide evidence to support future interventions and policies in Australian OSHC settings., Methods and Analysis: A cross-sectional study design will be used to describe the food and beverages provided and child activity levels, and report on environmental correlates. OSHC programmes will be visited on non-consecutive weekdays between 2018 and 2020. The frequency of foods and beverages offered will be observed and categorised into food groups aligned to the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Children's physical activity will be measured using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers. Staff behaviour will be captured via direct observation and the System for Observing Staff Promotion of Activity and Nutrition. Short interviews with programme directors will gather contextual information about OSHC practices and policies., Ethics and Dissemination: Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific journals, conference presentations and individualised feedback to each participating service. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Wollongong Human Research Ethics Committee (HE17/490)., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)