Media Release: University of Western Australia PLAYCE Study research opportunity
**CALLING ALL FAMILIES**
Exciting news – We were approached today, by the University of Western Australia and asked to be a part of a pioneering study about the physical activity and health of young Western Australian children.
The University of Western Australia’s School of Population Health in collaboration with the Telethon Kids Institute and the Australian Childcare Alliance (WA) is conducting the research.
Physical activity has many health benefits for young children including developing healthier bones, maintaining a healthy weight, and improving cognitive and social development.
The PLAYCE Study will be the first large-scale study in WA to assess the physical activity levels of children while attending childcare and at home. PLAYCE will assess the environmental influences on children’s physical activity, such as availability of outdoor running space and play equipment and physical activity and sun-exposure related policies and practices. The research team is working with the Western Australian early education and care sector to ensure the study findings help childcare centres to better promote children’s physical activity, health and development.
Participating families will be provided with an individual report and a ‘thank you’ gift for their child. The PLAYCE Study team is working closely with us to ensure that participation is a positive and exciting experience for all children involved. Further information about the PLAYCE study is attached.
Childcare is an important place for physical activity promotion as many young Australian children aged 2-6 years attend a childcare centre. In WA, more than nine out of ten children attending childcare spend 10-14 hours a week there. Past research has shown that the childcare centre attended can affect how much physical activity pre-schoolers do.
Families with children between the ages of 2 – 5 that wish to participate in this unique opportunity are requested to lodge their expressions of interest via email to: enquiries@little-learners.com.au with the subject: UWA PLAYCE Study – count me in!
On Tuesday 16th May, a Research Assistant from the University of Western Australia will be coming to the Centre to provide us with more information around this fantastic opportunity.
Parents that have expressed an interest in the study will be sent a parental consent form, which needs to be signed and returned by the 9th June.
Kind Regards,
Ken Scott-Hamilton
Director+61 8 9335 6941