Physical activity at daycare: right now is an opportunity
On hot summer days, schools receive a lot of attention. Tropical schedules, shorter school days, and extra cooling measures are regularly in the news. Daycares, however, remain open during the summer. Young children spend a lot of time there every day, and that is precisely why it is important that they get enough physical activity, even on hot days.
New research by the Mulier Institute shows that physical activity is considered important at almost all daycares. Nevertheless, there is still much to be gained in the way physical activity becomes part of daily practice.
Physical activity receives attention, but not yet structurally everywhere
The research shows that almost all pedagogical professionals believe that physical activity is an important task for childcare. Physical activity has also been incorporated into policy at many locations. Yet, in practice, it often remains limited to isolated moments of physical activity. Structural attention during team meetings, training, and daily routines is still frequently lacking.
This is striking, because childcare, in particular, has a significant influence on the development of young children. Currently, about three-quarters of children between the ages of 0 and 4 attend a daycare center. This makes childcare, alongside home, one of the most important places where children learn to move.
The greatest benefit lies in the ordinary day
Children do not need to engage in a special physical activity to get enough exercise. It is precisely the ordinary moments of the day that offer plenty of opportunities. Think of tidying up together, eating outside, a story in the open air, or a route to the sandbox involving climbing, balancing, or jumping.
When movement becomes part of the daily routine, it does not have to be an extra activity. It happens naturally, several times a day.
The outdoor space can take a lot of work off your hands
A smart outdoor space supports childcare workers. Not because they have to constantly organise activities, but because the environment naturally challenges children.
A play hill invites climbing. Tree trunks become balance beams. Sand turns into a construction site. Water provides opportunities for discovery, experimentation, and cooling. By combining various play prompts, moments of movement arise naturally, without every game having to be devised. This aligns well with the conclusion of the Mulier Institute that free movement is already strongly present in many locations. The challenge lies primarily in further integrating movement into the entire day.
Summer also calls for a well-thought-out outdoor space
Warm days do not mean that children need to go outside less. However, it does require an outdoor space designed for this purpose.
Trees provide natural shade and cooling. Green planting helps lower the ambient temperature. Water and sand play remain attractive, while shaded areas ensure that children can play comfortably outside even on warm days.
In this way, the outdoor space remains a place where children can explore, move, and cool down.
From isolated activities to a culture of movement
The research shows that many professionals need more knowledge, training, and support regarding promoting physical activity. Additionally, the researchers recommend anchoring physical activity more strongly in policy, collaboration, and daily pedagogical practice.
A movement-friendly outdoor space can help with this. Not as a replacement for good pedagogical practice, but as an environment that invites children to be active every single day.
Every day a chance to move
For young children, movement is much more than just burning off energy. While playing, they develop their motor skills, learn to cooperate, discover their surroundings, and grow in self-confidence.
That is precisely why the outdoor space deserves a place in the vision for childcare. Not as a play area for occasional use, but as a natural part of every day at the daycare centre.
Give the little ones a place to grow
A good outdoor space for a daycare centre does not happen by itself. It requires a well-thought-out design in which play, discovery, movement, and rest come together. With the right layout, you create a place where children can develop anew every day and where childcare workers can work comfortably.
Are you curious about what a natural and challenging outdoor space could look like for your daycare centre or preschool? We would be happy to brainstorm with you. Contact us without obligation or view our inspiring projects on our website.
