J Act Sedentary Sleep Behav. 2026 May 3. doi: 10.1186/s44167-026-00103-4. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early childhood is a critical period for establishing healthy movement behaviours, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen time, and sleep. Childcare represents a key setting for shaping these behaviours, as many young children spend a substantial proportion of their waking hours in these environments. This study provides a national overview of movement behaviour policies in Canadian childcare facilities and examines associations with facility characteristics and provincial/territorial legislation.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by directors/owners of childcare facilities across Canada (n = 1,340). Respondents reported on the presence and characteristics of written policies across physical activity, sedentary behaviour/screen time, and sleep domains, along with facility characteristics. Descriptive statistics summarized policy prevalence, and thematic analysis was conducted on open-ended responses. Logistic regression models examined associations between facility characteristics (urbanicity, childcare type, enrolment size, daily fees) and the presence of written movement behaviour policies, as well as associations with explicit mention of these behaviours in provincial/territorial legislation.
RESULTS: Written policies were reported by 50.0% of facilities for overall physical activity, 61.1% for providing no screen time, and 68.7% for outdoor physical activity; fewer reported policies limiting prolonged seated time (17.0%) or ensuring age-appropriate nap durations (46.6%). Policies addressing educator professional development and family education were uncommon (< 21% and < 12%, respectively). Facilities in jurisdictions without explicit movement behaviour legislation were significantly less likely to report written policies for overall physical activity, prolonged seated time, and nap duration (p < .01). Urbanicity (p = .044) and enrolment size (p = .027) were associated with the presence of physical activity and nap duration policies, respectively, while family-/home-based childcare facilities had substantially lower odds of reporting a no screen time policy (OR = 0.22, p < .001) and higher odds of reporting a policy for prolonged seated time (OR = 1.94, p = .033) compared to centre-based facilities.
CONCLUSION: Movement behaviour policies in Canadian childcare settings are inconsistent and strongly shaped by governance and childcare context. While policies for physical activity and outdoor play are common, formal guidance for sedentary behaviour, screen time, sleep, and educator and family education remain limited. Greater coordination, implementation supports, and investment in professional learning may promote more equitable movement opportunities for young children in Canada.
PMID:42071266 | DOI:10.1186/s44167-026-00103-4
