Developing Quality With and Through Physical Activity in Childcare Centers

The QueB project - Developing Quality with and Through Physical Activity in Childcare Centers - investigated the extent to which childcare centers can be supported in developing their organization to sustainably expand the scope of action for an active lifestyle of both the children and the pedagogical staff.The childcare centers followed a 10-step program based on the Public Health Action Circle and were accompanied by coaches. Various methods such as a Kita Check App, a physical activity diary app, and step-counters were used to support the development process.The approach was tested in a 1-year study in two regions of Bavaria with a waiting group, pre-post design, and mixed-methods approach.The results revealed positive changes in physical activity levels: Children took about 10% more steps and reduced their overall sitting time. The pedagogical staff even increased their activity by almost 15%. In the childcare center, not only were the existing opportunities to be active used more, but new opportunities for physical activity were also created. An analysis of the goals that the childcare centers individually formulated showed diverse potential for development.