In 2019 we developed and piloted the Be Active in Early Years Training programme, a two-day programme for Early Years staff, followed by one-to-one support, to help practitioners build more physical activity into their everyday provision and find practical changes that could be made within settings to help young people become more active. To date, over 30 practitioners have completed the training. To help realise these changes the Commission has offered a grant, up to £750 for each centre that completed the training to purchase resources that would enable high-quality daily physical activity.
Four Centres will receive the first tranche of grants:
· At Pre-school Duval there was a requirement to provide more inside physical play opportunities. Currently children use bikes, balls, bats etc outside but when the weather is unsuitable their indoor resources for physical play were more limited. The centre has purchased an indoor climbing frame with safety mats which is great for improving balance, strength, coordination and developing gross motor skills.
· At Family Tree nursey they have also invested in some fold-away climbing equipment for each of their rooms (baby room, toddler room, preschool room) as well as scooters to accompany their well-used balance bikes.
· Butterflies pre-school wanted to take more advantage of the lovely environment of Delancey Park which is just across the road. They have purchased dancing ribbons, hopscotch hoops, a yoga starter set and small bikes which can be used at the park or inside the setting as well as out in the playground.
· First Steps Nursery will be using their grant to create different areas in their garden to support children’s different types of development. They will install a free-standing rock climb wall and separate areas with balance beams and tree stump steppingstones.
Early Years centres play a critical role in enabling and encouraging physical activity amongst children from an early age. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we support children and their families to acquire a lifelong habit of enjoying activity. Centres have worked really hard to translate the Be Active Training into their practice and the first grants awarded to the four centres will do much to enhance the environment in which children are learning to move, and developing confidence and enjoyment needed to be active.
We are all thrilled to receive the grant from the Health Improvement Commission. This will allow us to enhance our indoor provision for Physical Development. We are very grateful for the financial support we have received.
Giving children the resources and encouragement to achieve in their gross-motor development also develops their sense of self- belief, self-awareness, and emotional development. This in turn allowing their cognitive development to thrive, as when we are happy in body and mind we achieve
Grants are available to all Early Years centres who have completed the Commission’s training programme.
To discuss how to apply for a grant, please contact Alun Williams on tel: 07839 741223 or email: alun.williams@healthimprovement.gg
For further updates check out the Early Years Physical Activity Training page and sign up to our newsletter by clicking here.