Building strong foundations for life
Results from the 2025 Early Learning and Child Well‑being Study
Category: Research
Research
Holding the baby: holding the educator. Embodied interactions between educators and 0-3-year-olds in early years settings
This research explored the lived experiences of physical interactions between educators and 0–3-year-olds in four early years settings in the UK.
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Effectiveness of an environmental nutrition and physical activity intervention in early childhood education and care settings (NAPSACC UK): a multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial
Interesting evaluation here – worth remembering that only 40% managed to complete the programme (very overstretched EY staff) but children were 20% more active when attending settings than they were at home – EY staff do make a significant difference.
Motor difficulties in infancy and later behavioural health – is there a link?
Examines whether fine- and gross-motor skills in infancy predict child behavioral health at 7 years of age.
Barriers and facilitators to physical activity and FMS in children living in deprived areas in the UK
Using the socio-ecological model, this qualitative study aimed to explore teachers’ perspec- tives on the barriers and facilitators to Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) and physical activity engagement in children living in...
Fundamental motor skills of children in deprived areas of England
This study compared the mastery of fundamental motor skills (FMS) of males and females in early-childhood (four to five years, n = 170) and in middle-childhood (nine to ten years, n = 109) who attend schools in deprived and ethnically diverse areas of England
Potential efficacy of the MOVERS professional development programme: A pilot randomised controlled trial
This study examined the potential efficacy of a professional development (PD) programme on improving the quality of the ECE movement environment and children’s physical activity, motor, literacy and numeracy skills.
A Pikler approach to ‘tummy-time’
Criticism of the prone position recommendation in the first months of life.
A position paper by Scoot Fit calling for the removal of trikes in early years settings and a shift towards more purposeful movement tools
Scoot Fit position paper response to the proposal for a regulation on the safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC (COM (2023)462)
Pooled analysis of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep among children from 33 countries
To report the proportion of 3- and 4-year-old children who met the World Health Organization guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep across 33 countries.
Archive
High quality outdoor learning
Evidence-based education outside the classroom for children, teachers and society.
Physical literacy and physical activity in early years education: what’s known, what’s done, and what’s needed?
This study aims to explore knowledge and beliefs regarding PL and PA in relation to 3–5-year-olds, investigating key questions around perceived importance, current practices, and barriers to implementation.
Evaluation of the HAF/Welsh Active Early Years Programme
The Welsh Active Early Years project was designed in partnership between Early Years Wales and
Welsh Gymnastics as a 4-week facilitator led programme which aimed to increase the physical activity levels of young children and their parents/carers in order to develop and embed lifelong physical literacy.
Why getting children active is good for parents too
The benefits of getting children involved in physical activity are wide ranging and well documented. But a recent project in Wales suggests that there are also positive outcomes for the parents who get involved.
Do we know enough about the benefits of bikes in nurseries to justify developing a children’s bicycle lending scheme ?
This paper examines how a group of eight London nurseries undertook a short pilot study to review the role of bikes in the nursery.
LEYF summary report, rethinking bikes in the Nursery
The organisation’s action research model encouraged staff to initiate and lead small-scale studies to review how bikes were used by children and the benefits that were emerging.
LEYF family prison guide
Supporting children with a parent in prison.
Chef Academy impact report
Impact report focusing on the six cohorts of chefs that have participated in the Early Years Chef Academy training up to April 2023.