THE NSW HEALTHY CHILDREN INITIATIVE - HEALTHY SUPPORTED PLAYGROUPS - REPORT & APPENDICES - NSW Office of ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE NSW HEALTHY
CHILDREN INITIATIVE
HEALTHY SUPPORTED PLAYGROUPS
– REPORT & APPENDICES
Citation: Buffett, K. 2015 NSW Health Children Initiative. Healthy Supported Playgroups. NSW Office of Preventive Health. NSW MINISTRY OF HEALTH 73 Miller Street NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060 Tel. (02) 9391 9000 Fax. (02) 9391 9101 TTY. (02) 9391 9900 www.health.nsw.gov.au Produced by: NSW Office of Preventive Health Don Everett Building, Liverpool, Liverpool BC, NSW 1871 Tel. (02) 8738 6284 Fax (02) 8738 6371 This work is copyright. It may be reproduced in whole or in part for study or training purposes subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. It may not be reproduced for commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those indicated above requires written permission from the NSW Ministry of Health. © NSW Ministry of Health 2015 SHPN (CPH) 150666 ISBN 978-1-76000-369-2 (print) ISBN 978-1-76000-370-8 (online) Buffett K, 2015. NSW Healthy Children Initiative Healthy Supported Playgroups. NSW Office of Preventive Health. Acknowledgements include: Libby Powell, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Di Jackson and Dr Qi Jing, Connect Child and Family Services Inc., the members of the Healthy Supported Playgroups Program working group, Dr Beverly Lloyd and Fadzai Chikwava Evaluation and Strategic Projects, Christine Innes-Hughes, Healthy Children Initiative and Prof. Chris Rissel, NSW Office of Preventive Health. Copies of this document can be downloaded from the NSW Office of Preventive Health website: www.preventivehealth.net.au December 2015
Contents
Healthy Supported Playgroups at a Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Supported Playgroups in NSW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Coalition of Interdepartmental, Cross-Government and Non-Government
Organisation Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Formative Research Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
A. Local Health District Interventions, Reports and Evaluations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
B. Literature Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
C. Supported Playgroups Management Structure and Operational Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
D. Mapping of Supported Playgroups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
E. Aboriginal Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
F. Collaborative Program Development Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Learning and Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Healthy Supported Playgroups Collaborative Program Develop Project
Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
State Level Recommendations for Healthy Supported Playgroups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Risk Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Healthy Supported Playgroups Key Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Future Directions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Appendices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 1
Healthy Supported Playgroups
at a Glance
Goal Long term
As part of the NSW Healthy Children Initiative the
• Young children of families attending supported
playgroup increase their consumption of fruit and
NSW Office of Preventive Health is seeking to:
vegetables while attending supported playgroups
• Provide state level recommendations for the and in the home.
NSW supported playgroup setting to promote
and encourage children’s healthy eating, physical
activity, reduced small screen recreation time and Objectives
oral health. • To develop state level recommendations to:
– support Auspice organisations and Supported
Target group and priority Playgroup Coordinators and Facilitators to
promote healthy eating, active play, limiting
populations
small screen recreation and oral health within
• Supported playgroup state level management, the supported playgroup setting.
auspice organisations and facilitators
– facilitate development of a supported playgroup
• Vulnerable families attending supported environment that promotes and provides
playgroups including: healthy eating, active play and oral health
– Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) – integrate relevant and appropriate nutrition,
families active play and oral health learning experiences
and activities for children and parents/carers in
– Aboriginal families
supported playgroups
– Socially and geographically isolated families
– enable sustainability of the approach of Healthy
– Single and young parents Supported Playgroups
Targets Strategic Directions
Short term • Development of state level recommendations to
• Improved provision of Supported Playgroup promote and encourage children’s healthy eating,
Coordinators and Facilitators promotion of physical activity, reduced small screen recreation
healthy eating, active play, reducing small screen time and oral health which are relevant and
recreation and oral health appropriate for the diverse participants and
operational and management context of
• Evidence of supportive supported playgroup supported playgroups
environment promoting and providing healthy
food and drinks and oral health • Identification of strategies and provision of
resources tools to support embed state level
• Supported playgroup programs include healthy recommendations within the supported playgroup
eating, active play, reducing small screen setting and enable informed healthy choices of
recreation and oral health practices families attending supported playgroups
• Information on healthy eating, active play, • Healthy eating, active play, reduced small screen
reducing small screen recreation and oral health time and oral health promotion integrated into
is provided to parents/carers relevant policies, staff training and supported
playgroup activities at all relevant levels across
the whole supported playgroup organisational
structure.
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 3Actions • A set of tools and activities to promote healthy
eating, active play, reduced small screen time and
In 2012, the NSW Office of Preventive Health oral health, for supported playgroups which are:
formed a coalition of partners, to support the
development and implementation of a Healthy
– relevant to the supported playgroup setting
and the needs of participants
Supported Playgroups approach, and conducted
formative research incorporating a collaborative – appropriate to the learning approaches used in
approach to determine state level recommendations the setting
to promote healthy eating, physical activity, – reflect the nature and operational perspectives
reduced small screen time and oral health for the of the supported playgroup setting
supported playgroup setting. – inclusive of the range of diverse participants
Formative research was required to gather and build This report provides the background, context of the
evidence to support development of a settings based setting, an outline of the formative research projects
systems level approach and ensure recommendations and findings and state level recommendations for
are relevant and appropriate for the diverse NSW Healthy Children Initiative, Healthy Supported
participants and operational and management Playgroups. The appendices include further information
context of supported playgroups. The project and documents which were developed to guide the
components included: formative research.
• collation and review of Local Health District In addition, as part of the formative research for
reports and evaluations of previous interventions
Healthy Supported Playgroups an internal report
• literature review of existing relevant programs on the Collaborative Program Development of a
and outcomes used in the setting Healthy Supported Playgroups Program has been
prepared by Dr Dianne Jackson, Dr Jing Qi Child
• scoping the setting demographics, characteristics, and Family Services Inc. and Dr Bev Lloyd, NSW
management and operational structure
Office of Preventive Health.
• mapping of supported playgroups in NSW
• developmental evaluation research with auspice Further Development Opportunities
managers, facilitators and participating families
of supported playgroups in NSW (Collaborative The Healthy Supported Playgroups state level
Program Development Project). recommendations identify opportunities for
integration of strategies within the broader
State level recommendations for an approach to organisational policy context and outline key action
embedding healthy eating, active play and oral areas for further development, dependent on
health in supported playgroups, Healthy Supported available resources and stakeholder capacity.
Playgroups, have been developed as a result of this
formative research. The recommendations An online portal of information suitable for
incorporate the findings of the collaborative supported playgroups within the context of the
program development project, key stakeholder Healthy Supported Playgroups state level
collaboration and previous work in this setting by recommendations will be developed. However,
Local Health Districts. This approach seeks to ongoing maintenance and updating of tools and
enable the strategies to be embedded within the management of stakeholder relationships would
management and operational structure of the be required to ensure sustainability of Healthy
supported playgroup setting and ensure it is Supported Playgroups state level
appropriate for the target groups, setting and recommendations.
service. The recommendations include:
• Guidelines to promote healthy eating, physical
activity, reduced small screen time and oral
health, for auspice organisations.
• Guidelines for parents/carers which incorporate
activities to try at home in relation to healthy
eating, active play, reduced small screen time and
oral health.
4 NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children InitiativeBackground
The NSW Office of Preventive Health delivers the Formative research, using a collaborative
Healthy Children Initiative, which focuses on development approach, has been conducted to
reducing childhood overweight and obesity in NSW. develop Healthy Supported Playgroup
The NSW Healthy Children Initiative programs recommendations to promote healthy eating,
promote healthy lifestyles, including good nutrition active play, reduced small screen recreation, and
and physical activity, using a settings-based approach oral health, to vulnerable and marginalised families
in the early childhood sector, primary schools, attending supported playgroups.
junior community sports clubs and the community.
Supported playgroups offer young children and
With one-in-five NSW children entering school their parents/carers access to support as well as
overweight or obese there is a need for preventive opportunities to socialise with other parents/carers
interventions during early childhood and preschool and children. In addition, they provide learning
years.1 opportunities for children, as well as their parents/
carers, in a positive, structured environment
“The people of New South Wales (NSW) reaching parents/carers, and their children,
experience very good health compared with who would not otherwise access playgroup.
people in other parts of Australia and around See Appendix I for a more detailed description
the world. However, there are still areas for of supported playgroups.
improvement and there remain substantial
differences in health status and life expectancy The advantages of directly reaching and
between different populations, with Aboriginal influencing parents/carers as well as their children
people, socio-economically disadvantaged are numerous. Life-long health related behaviours,
people, and those living in rural and remote which can impact on health during adulthood, are
locations experiencing much poorer health than established in the early years of life.6 Children first
the rest of the NSW population.”2 learn their patterns of eating, physical activity and
sedentary behaviours, especially small screen use,
The Healthy Children Initiative seeks to meet the within the context of the family. Therefore parents/
needs of all children, including those from carers, as well as the broader family play a crucial
vulnerable families who are at a higher risk of being role in shaping children’s attitudes towards food
overweight or obese, eating poorly, and engaging and physical activity and creating environments
in low levels of physical activity.3 “The challenge is which enable healthy eating and physical activity.7
that most vulnerable children and families are not
accessing universally available services such as
preschool.”4 The Healthy Children Initiative
therefore aims to ensure that these children have
equitable access to healthy eating and physical
activity programs and resources.5
1
Hardy LL, King L. (2012). Weight and weight related behaviours 6
Campbell K, Hesketh KD. (2007). Strategies which aim
among NSW Kindergarten children Sydney: Physical Activity to positively impact on weight, physical activity, diet and
Nutrition Obesity Research Group. NSW Ministry of Health. sedentary behaviours in children from zero to five years. A
2
Population and Public Health Division. Population Health systematic review of the literature. Obesity Reviews 8: 327-338.
Priorities for NSW: 2012–2017. Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health, 7
Gill T, King L, Webb K. (2005). Best options for promoting
2012. healthy weight and preventing weight gain in NSW. Sydney:
3
NSW Office of Preventive Health (2014). Healthy Children NSW Centre for Public Health Nutrition and NSW Department
Initiative Equity Tool. of Health.
4
NSW Family and Community Services (2011). Families NSW
Statewide Policy Directions 2011/12-2013/14.
5
NSW Office of Preventive Health (2014). Healthy Children
Initiative Equity Tool.
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 5Health interventions in supported playgroups In addition, the Healthy Supported Playgroups
potentially impact on the home environment by approach will contribute to the implementation and
influencing parent/carer knowledge and skills achievement of the NSW State Government
relevant to creating home environments which (including other key stakeholders) and NSW Health
actively support children to consume healthy goals and policy strategic key actions, in particular,
foods, engage in active play and reduce sedentary the NSW Ministry of Health NSW Healthy Eating
behaviours, and promote oral health. and Active Living Strategy: Preventing overweight
and obesity in New South Wales 2013-2018 (see
Appendix II).
6 NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children InitiativeSupported Playgroups in NSW
There are approximately 382 supported playgroup locations in NSW (Families NSW and Playgroup NSW).
Each location may run multiple sessions. Over 8,000 families annually in NSW attend supported playgroups.
The peak bodies for supported playgroups in NSW include Families NSW, Playgroup NSW and a number of
auspice organisations.
In 2014, Families NSW funded 108 auspice organisation projects across NSW which includes 358 supported
playgroup locations. In addition, funding was provided for 24 Aboriginal supported playgroups as part
of the Aboriginal Child, Youth and Family Strategy (ACYFS). This included nine Aboriginal Child and
Family Services.
Playgroup NSW managed 19 supported playgroups, seven Sutherland supported playgroups (which are
funded by Families NSW) and four Grafton Indigenous Playgroup Project supported playgroups in 2014.
(These particular supported playgroups do not transition to playgroup and are linked to Aboriginal Medical
Services and Indigenous Coordination Centres).
An independent evaluation of the Families NSW Supported Playgroups Schemes reported the profiles of
the NSW supported playgroups and families attending (see Appendix III). Families attending supported
playgroups are mostly mothers, are located in areas of high disadvantage, 12% of families identified as
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and 33% of parents were born in a country other than Australia.8
8
NSW Department of Community Services, Communities Division (2008). Final Report − Supported Playgroups Evaluation − Phase 2.
ARTD Consultants, strategy and evaluation.
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 7Coalition of Interdepartmental,
Cross-Government and
Non-Government Organisation
Partners
A coalition of partners from sector stakeholders was established in October 2012, and formed a working
group to support the development and implementation of the Healthy Supported Playgroups approach.
Effective engagement with the sector has led to representation on the working group of interdepartmental,
cross-government and non-government supported playgroup key stakeholders (including Families NSW
and Playgroup NSW) (see Appendix IV) actively contributing to the development of the Healthy Supported
Playgroups approach.
The working group has provided an essential partnership by sharing relevant setting expertise and
resources. To date the working group have worked collaboratively on the strategic direction of the approach
of Healthy Supported Playgroups and contributed to the formative research including: development of
goals and objectives, presentation and provision of previous Local Health District reports, interventions and
evaluations; provision of stakeholder relevant interventions and resources; literature review, key messages;
mapping of NSW supported playgroups; and supported playgroup setting governance, characteristics
and reporting.
The coalition of partners is a key element to ensuring sustainability of the approach for Healthy
Supported Playgroups.
8 NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children InitiativeFormative Research Projects
Formative research projects were undertaken to build evidence to support the development of state level
recommendations and ensure the Healthy Supported Playgroups approach is appropriate, relevant and
feasible for the diverse participants and supported playgroup setting. The projects included:
• incorporating findings of Local Health District reports and evaluations of previous interventions
• a literature review of existing relevant programs and outcomes used in the setting
• scoping the setting demographics, characteristics, management and operational structure
• mapping of supported playgroups in NSW
• developmental evaluation research with auspice managers, facilitators and participating families of
supported playgroups in NSW (Collaborative Program Development Project).
The research projects aimed to identify pre-existing enablers including skills, structures, partnerships and
resources and work with and respect these.
Previous
Interventions,
Reports and
Evaluations
Rapid Developmental
Review Research
Co a
rs
ld e
liti
no e
ho
tak
o
fP
a rtn S
ers –
S u p p o r t e d P l a yg ro u p
Sup
p ort
ed Playgroup Setting
Figure 1: Formative research projects using a collaborative approach to determine evidence based state
level recommendations on healthy eating, physical activity, reduced small screen time and oral health for
the supported playgroups setting
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 9A. Local Health District Interventions, specifically, low socio-economically disadvantaged,
CALD and/or Aboriginal families.
Reports and Evaluations
Sydney Local Health District implemented the
The Healthy Eating and Active Play at Playgroup
healthy eating component of the Healthy Eating
project for supported playgroups was developed
and Active Play at Playgroup project in an area with
and implemented by the former South Eastern
a high multicultural attendance and found that
Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven Area Health
some information in the Healthy Eating at
Service (SESISAHS). The aim of the project was to
Playgroup project was considered less culturally
increase the number of playgroups that provide a
relevant, such as food ideas and recipes that were
supportive environment to promote healthy eating
for ‘Western’ foods. Their evaluation identified the
and active play among children aged 0-5 years and
need to include culturally relevant examples of
their families. To date, this project has been locally
foods and recipes in programs targeting CALD
adapted and implemented in South Western
groups, and that key messages should be pre-
Sydney, Sydney, and the Central Coast Local Health
tested with the target group.
Districts. Since 2005, approximately 70 auspice
organisations have received an intervention from Central Coast Local Health District implemented
Local Health Districts (See The Mapping of NSW the Healthy Eating and Active Play at Playgroup
Supported Playgroups at Appendix III). project in playgroups which included parents/
carers who did not speak English at home or had
The Healthy Eating and Active Play at Playgroup
at least one child from an Aboriginal background.
resources were developed in consultation with
Their evaluation found similar results to the Sydney
health promotion officers experienced in early
Local Health District intervention; facilitators
childhood settings, paediatric physiotherapists,
suggested the Healthy Eating at Playgroup manual
and occupational therapists. As part of project
could be improved by including more multicultural
development SESISAHS conducted a needs
recipes and healthy eating activities.
assessment of supported playgroups and review
of existing resources was completed to identify The local evaluations reported by the Local Health
those which could be appropriately transferred to Districts implementing the Healthy Eating and
the playgroup setting and gaps for development of Active Play at Playgroup Project identified the need
resources for the families accessing these services. for further research specifically into CALD and
The resources reviewed included: Munch & Move; Aboriginal families attending supported playgroups
Romp & Chomp; Power Play; Active Alphabet; and to ensure the state level approach is relevant and
Get Up and Grow. appropriate for these population groups.
The Healthy Eating and Active Play at Playgroup A report outlining “Local Health District Previous
project support strategies and resources included: Supported Playgroup Interventions and Evaluations“
a Healthy Eating at Playgroup and Active Play at (Appendix V) was also developed, with contribution
Playgroup Manuals, which includes healthy eating from the coalition of partners, to scope previous
guidelines, physical activity recommendations, local interventions and evaluations and guide the
learning activities; training program for facilitators development of the data collection instruments for
and auspice organisation coordinators; staff and the Collaborative Program Development Project.
parent resources; local support; communication
strategy for auspice organisations; attendance at
regional meetings; and grants. B. Literature Review
The Healthy Supported Playgroups state level An evidence check rapid review was commissioned
approach aims to incorporate learning’s from this by the NSW Office of Preventive Health and was
SESISAHS project. conducted in August 2013.9 A consortium of
researchers contributed to the review which aimed
Local Health Districts represented on the Healthy to provide an understanding of which group-based
Supported Playgroups coalition of partners shared programs in early childhood settings (including
their previous intervention strategies, resources, supported playgroups) had shown evidence of
and evaluation reports. The working group effectiveness to promote healthy eating and
identified a need to adapt the existing Healthy nutrition, physical activity and screen based-
Eating and Active Play at Playgroup project and sedentary behaviour and general parenting skills.
proposed considerations for the development of Whilst the review included all population groups,
the state level approach. A specific concern
identified was to ensure the state level approach is
9
Okely T, Trost S, Flood V, Cliff D, Kelly B, Jones R, Janssen X,
appropriate and relevant for the supported
Grossek A, Ellis Y, and Alex Miller K. (2013). Outcomes and their
playgroup setting and diverse participants measurement in playgroup programs: an evidence check rapid
review. Prepared for the Sax Institute on behalf of the NSW
Office of Preventive Health.
10 NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiativea special emphasis was on those groups considered • supported playgroups classified by group type
to be vulnerable or at-risk, such as families from such as universal, CALD, young parents,
culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) grandparents, Aboriginal, male parents, first time
backgrounds, from Indigenous backgrounds and parents etc. by region/network
who are socially isolated or disadvantaged. The
reviewers were asked to make recommendations Local Health Districts also identified the previous
regarding strategies which should be considered in supported playgroups that have received an
the development of a state level Healthy Supported intervention.
Playgroups approach.
The mapping of supported playgroups contributed
In addition, the literature review included analysis to ensuring the purposive site selection was a
and synthesis of all available evidence ie. combining representative sample for the Collaborative Program
literature review findings with local data from Development Project and was essential to enable
recent program evaluations completed by Local exclusion of supported playgroups which have
Health Districts and best practice recommendations. previously participated in an intervention.
The quality of evidence of the Local Health District
“The Mapping of Supported Playgroups” report is
reports varied considerably and the limitations are
at Appendix III.
included in the literature review.
The findings showed that there was insufficient
evidence to provide recommendations for specific
E. Aboriginal Health
populations of interest such as Aboriginal or CALD The Healthy Children Initiative Aboriginal Health
groups or other at-risk or marginalised clients. Impact Statement provides overarching
Hence, the review identified the need to conduct considerations for the Healthy Children Initiative
collaborative program development research with Programs including the approach for Healthy
a key focus on the specified groups. Supported Playgroups.
Several meetings were held with the Centre for
C. Supported Playgroups Aboriginal Health and the Centre for Population
Management Structure and Health Aboriginal Policy Pathway Program Officer
Operational Systems to gain advice to ensure the needs of Aboriginal
communities were considered in the development
The state level Healthy Supported Playgroups stages. In addition, the Centre for Aboriginal Health
approach aims to provide recommendations is represented on the working group.
which complement the setting characteristics
(see Appendix VI), management structure and The Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Aboriginal
operational systems (see Appendix VII), to enable Community Controlled Health Service, invited the
strategies to potentially be embedded within the NSW Office of Preventive Health to present the
setting, while acknowledging the capacity and program development research to the Board.
requirements of the setting. The Board’s feedback was presented to the
Collaborative Program Development Project
Program Implementation Group for implementation
D. Mapping of Supported and included involving Aboriginal researchers in
Playgroups the development of the data collection instruments
and local Aboriginal researchers to conduct the
Mapping of the supported playgroups sector in
data collection in Aboriginal specific supported
NSW was conducted by the NSW Office of
playgroups to ensure accurate reporting, cultural
Preventive Health in collaboration with the working
sensitivity and self-determination.
group. The purpose was to provide a statewide
profile of supported playgroups in NSW. The Centre for Aboriginal Health offered to review
the recruitment and data collection instruments
Families NSW and Playgroup NSW, provided the
and advised on the process to liaise with the Local
number of NSW supported playgroups locations.
Health District Aboriginal Health Managers.
In addition, Families NSW provided a breakdown
including the number of: Due to delays in ethics approval and Aboriginal
• Families NSW funded supported playgroups by Community Controlled Health Services research
region/network project requirements Aboriginal Supported
Playgroups were excluded for the Collaborative
• CALD/or Aboriginal families who attend Program Development Project stage one report.
supported playgroup by region/network
• remote/rural/metro supported playgroups by
region
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 11F. Collaborative Program the rapid review,10 and thematic analysis of the
Development Project findings from the literature and Local Health
District reports.
The Collaborative Program Development Project
Stage one provided insights into the following
was undertaken as developmental evaluation
research questions:
research with key stakeholders including
facilitators, coordinators and participating families 1. What are the commonalities and differences in
of supported playgroups in NSW; and to develop a policies, approaches and activities in relation to
sustained Healthy Supported Playgroups approach. the topics of interest within supported
playgroups?
The project was designed to proceed in the
2. How do parents/carers construct knowledge
following four stages:
about the topics of interest within supported
1. Provide a current understanding of the playgroups?
supported playgroup setting in relation to
3. How would the topics of interest fit into the
promoting healthy eating, physical activity,
culture of supported playgroups?
reducing small screen recreation and promoting
oral health and develop an appropriate 4. What are the lessons/implications of the findings
program. (Policy, governance and operational for supported playgroups that serve specific
context of the setting were also scoped to groups?
contribute to the design of the program.)
A project implementation group was established to
2. Design a pilot program implement and oversee the project which consisted
of the commissioned independent researchers
3. Implement and Evaluate a Pilot Program
(Connect Child and Family Services Inc.), and the
4. Recommend the Components of the Program NSW Office of Preventive Health including, NSW
Healthy Children Initiative Manager and NSW
In addition, “Healthy Supported Playgroups Supported Playgroup State Program Manager,
Program themes of issues and recommendations” Evaluation and Strategic Projects Manager and
(Appendix VIII), developed in collaboration with Senior Project Officer, the Director, NSW Office of
the coalition of partners − collated from the Preventive Health and a Local Health District
literature review and Local Health District representative (subject matter expert).
intervention reports and evaluations − were used to
A more detailed report on the Collaborative
inform the data collection instruments for the
Program Development of a Healthy Supported
Collaborative Program Development research.
Playgroups Program has been prepared by Dr
Dianne Jackson, Dr Jing Qi, Child and Family
Stage one: Provide a current Services Inc. and Dr Bev Lloyd, NSW Office of
understanding of the supported Preventive Health. An excerpt of the summary of
playgroup setting in relation to findings from the report has been included below.
promoting healthy eating, physical
activity, reducing small screen Findings in summary
recreation and oral health “What are the commonalities and
The aim of this project was to identify key differences in policies, approaches and
messages and activities most appropriate for the
activities in relation to the topics of interest
within supported playgroups?
supported playgroup setting and its diverse range
of parent and carer participants. A gap exists between the complex health-based
policies for supported playgroup staff and practical
Methods included data collection at supported
healthy eating guidelines for families and children.
playgroups, including interviews with supported
From the parent perspective there is conflicting
playgroup participants and facilitators of four
information for parents. Within the supported
supported playgroups and observational data
playgroups the types of food provided
collection, as well as interviews with auspice
demonstrates that healthy eating around food
organisation managers. The findings incorporate
the information obtained from the formative
10
Okely T, Trost S, Flood V, Cliff D, Kelly B, Jones R, Janssen X,
research projects previously mentioned including
Grossek A, Ellis Y, and Alex Miller K. (2013). Outcomes and their
measurement in playgroup programs: an evidence check rapid
review. Prepared for the Sax Institute on behalf of the NSW
Office of Preventive Health.
12 NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiativeprovision are in place for playgroup morning tea, How do parents/carers construct knowledge
with playgroup facilitators modelling appropriate about the topics of interest within supported
behaviours. With regard to active play, there were playgroups?
no formal guidelines, with demonstration through
Across the four supported playgroups participating
interesting activities being a highly regarded
in the research, parents/carers construct knowledge
strategy. Staff and parents/carers are more
about the topics of interest within supported
conscious of and have more knowledge and skills
playgroups in the following ways: informal
regarding healthy eating and active play than oral
discussion; incidental learning; communication with
health and small screen time.
experts; assisting in teaching; direct instruction and
Supported playgroup programs were typically implicit learning. The informal, flexible, and
structured to include free play, structured play, relational nature of playgroups is valued by staff,
participants and children.
story time, group time and morning tea, with
different lengths of time allocated by different Playgroups may use incidental learning
supported playgroups. Learning activities to opportunities to create and sustain discussions,
encourage healthy eating include sharing recipe during which information and knowledge can be
books that incorporate creative ways for preparing shared in the group, with no need for formal
healthy food for children. Learning opportunities discussion or instruction sessions. At other groups
include assisting the provision of healthy food at structured learning is welcome for example, short
morning tea and reading stories about healthy and clear presentations by guest speakers. At one
eating. Supported playgroup programs included supported playgroup, parents/carers take turns
activities such as singing and moving, with singing assisting the facilitator at group time.
used to encourage active play. Facilitators explain
how to use certain equipment and facilities to How would the topics of interest fit into the
develop different motor skills, with one supported culture of supported playgroups?
playgroup teaching specific movement skills. There
The key topics are considered relevant and
is no learning activity about the reduction of small
important to supported playgroup participants’
screen time; however the use of small screen
(children and parents/carers) lives. However,
devices is actively discouraged.
healthy eating and active play are more salient than
A range of learning approaches is used, including oral health and reduction of small screen time.
materials (such as websites, books, articles, guest Most supported playgroups are mixed-aged. The
speakers, and government and community ages of the children range from babies to four to
brochures) and guest speakers. Generally speaking, five years, by which time they start school. Some
time constraints can be a barrier to introducing supported playgroups cater to grandparents/carers,
new activities where a well-developed program is while others discourage grandparent attendance.
already being implemented. The observations and The supported playgroups included in the study are
interviews showed examples where practices open to children with disabilities. The number of
encouraged at the supported playgroups were participants attending varies, and is subject to
transferred to home settings, for example healthy factors like weather conditions. In general few
eating. fathers attend these supported playgroups.
Finally, it is important that the promotion of the key Forms of display such as posters as well as books
topics serves the primary purposes of the may be available, but a space that is shared with
supported playgroups. They are as important for other services may not be able to incorporate these
children to learn through play as they are for items. A variety of activities are available for active
parents/carers to connect and find peer support. play. A safe outdoor space is an important resource
The supported playgroups are also important in to promote active play. Where the supported
connecting families to services in the community. playgroup is largely indoors, active children run
around inside, and more sedentary children only
become active when the facilitator prompts them.
In only one supported playgroup were brochures
about screen time distributed. Information on this is
out of date, for example, information refers only to
TV screens. Little equipment for the promotion of
oral health has been introduced.
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 13What are the lessons/implications of the
findings for supported playgroups that serve
specific groups?
Understanding the setting and illuminating the
needs of participants will be an important part of
the process of development and delivery of a
program. Therefore the program should have a
flexible delivery model to allow for variation in
settings and location.
Parents/carers from varied cultural backgrounds
are involved in supported playgroup activities in
many ways. For example, they are invited to share
their cultural practices (e.g. songs) in regular activities.
For cultural festivals, and in regular sessions,
celebrations are held, with parents/carers sharing
culturally diverse foods. Religious or cultural food
practices are supported in some supported
playgroups, for example Halal foods are provided.
The issue of translation varies in different supported
playgroups. At one supported playgroup the
researcher observed that some parents/carers had
limited English and could not understand a health
care worker’s presentation. However, other parents/
carers who speak the same language filled in as
interpreters. Another supported playgroup had
support workers who provide interpreting support
and children’s books and information for parents/
carers in a variety of languages were available.” 11
11
Jackson D, Qi J, Lloyd B. (2015). Collaborative Program
Development of a Healthy Supported Playgroups Program.
Report of Stage One for the NSW Ministry of Health, Internal
Report.
14 NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children InitiativeLearning and Reflections
The unique and diverse nature of supported • Given the parents/carers participating in
playgroups impacted on the undertaking of a supported playgroups are typically disadvantaged
collaborative research project. The project required and/or vulnerable the protocol for conducting
significant coordination and approval processes. the research needed to be very thorough to
The following are some of the experiences which ensure ethical participation.
influenced the project deliverables and timelines:
• The nature of supported playgroups transitioning
• The Collaborative Program Development Project to playgroups led to a cancellation of a supported
required an extensive ethics and lengthy approval playgroups recruited to participate in the project.
process.
• The scope of Healthy Supported Playgroups is
• Additional time was required to work in a limited to providing a recommended approach
collaborative manner across and within the including strategies and information for the
project implementation group required setting and does not extend to developing and
additional time. implementing a program which would provide
• The operational times of the setting, including evidence of the effectiveness of implementing
school terms and meeting for two hours once the recommendations.
a week, influenced the project initiation and
deliverables.
• The multiple levels of supported playgroup
management and the importance in capturing
each of these in the project required a detailed
protocol process for recruitment and data
collection, involving several information and
approval processes and coordination of visits.
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 15Healthy Supported Playgroups
Collaborative Program
Development Project
Recommendations
The Collaborative Program Development Project Recommendation 5
Stage One Report outlined the following state level
recommendations for Healthy Supported Playgroups. Ensure that activities on the key elements are
appropriate to the learning approaches used in the
setting. Activities would not constitute a ‘program’
Recommendation 1 per se, but would incorporate the range of ‘key
Work across the whole supported playgroup messages’ in relation to the key elements and be
organisational structure (Families NSW, Playgroups adopted into the current programs easily or used
NSW and other relevant organisations) to ensure opportunistically. Activities would include
that healthy eating, physical activity, reduced small suggestions for key elements to be delivered by
screen time and oral health (key elements) are guest speakers.
integrated into relevant policies, staff training and
supported playgroup activities at all relevant levels. Recommendation 6
Develop activities that reflect the nature of the
Recommendation 2 supported playgroup setting. Activities should be
Develop and distribute a set of guidelines, one for short and simple, of varying formality, but with an
each of the key elements, for auspice organisations. emphasis on incidental and implicit learning, and
These guideline documents should be based on designed for the standard components of a play
and have reference to current guidelines and group session, ie, free play, structured play, story
provide clear and consistent health and parenting time, group time and morning tea.
messages for this setting.
Recommendation 7
Recommendation 3 Develop and implement staff training and support
Develop a set of tools and activities for supported for auspice managers and facilitators to facilitate
playgroups ensuring they are relevant to the accurate knowledge of guidelines on the key
setting and the need of participants. The tools elements and enable delivery of learning activities
would include facilitator checklists, where relevant, for children and parents/carers in this dual-focused
in relation to the key elements. provision setting.
Recommendation 4 Recommendation 8
Develop simple guidelines for parents/carers which Develop culturally relevant and appropriate
incorporate activities to try at home in relation to learning approaches, activities and resources within
the key elements. the set of tools and activities to allow flexible
delivery to the diverse range of supported
playgroup participants. The integration of cultural
practices, particularly through food and the
celebration of festive occasions, allow facilitators to
springboard to the inclusion of culturally relevant
examples of foods and recipes considered healthy
in activities and information.
16 NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children InitiativeState Level Recommendations
for Healthy Supported
Playgroups
Healthy Supported Playgroups Integration into the Broader
Organisational Policy Context
This approach aims to utilise a settings based,
systems level policy approach to provide state level The NSW Healthy Supported Playgroup coalition
strategic recommendations for key action areas of partners, collaborative formative research and
designed to promote and support healthy eating, development of state level recommendations, has
physical activity, reduced small screen time and identified the opportunity to integrate strategies
oral health (key elements) within NSW supported within the broader organisational policy context and
playgroups and stakeholder organisations. provides key stakeholder state level management
recommendations and strategies for further
development. These strategies aim to enable key
Principles
stakeholder ownership and promote sustainability,
State level recommendations for Healthy Supported by providing opportunities for implementation
Playgroups take into consideration the following within existing policy and communication
principles: strategies, within the capacity, strategic direction
and priorities of the key stakeholder organisations.
• Recommendations which fit within the operation,
management and purpose of supported In addition, the state level recommendations for
playgroups state level management and auspice organisations
include management, operational systems and
• Strategies and resources which incorporate
principles of sustainability of the approach policy strategies which could be applied to welfare
organisations. The auspice organisations are often
• Flexible delivery to address variation of supported community welfare support organisations which
playgroup management and operation and manage supported playgroups as a component of
diverse range of participants their core business. The state level recommendations
• Evidence based on formative research project have been developed considering the capacity of
findings these welfare organisations to implement broader
cross organisational strategies to promote and
• Organisational capacity building to enable support the key elements to priority vulnerable
integration into broader organisational policy population groups.
and practices.
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH 17Table 1: State Level Recommendations for Healthy Supported Playgroups
18
State Level Management
Output:
• Healthy eating, active play, reduced small screen time and oral health (key elements) promotion integrated into relevant policies, staff training and supported playgroup activities at all relevant levels across the whole supported
playgroup organisational structure.
Key Action Areas Recommendations Strategies Resources Development
Management • Implementation of key • Promote and incorporate practice of the key • Service Activity Description or relevant • Review management reporting requirements and materials
elements a requirement for elements as part of auspice organisations management report
auspice organisations reporting on Healthy Living
Policy • Key elements explicitly • Encourage reporting against links to the key • Service Activity Description or relevant • Review management report materials for auspice organisations to
Guidelines outlined in auspice elements in the auspice organisations report to management report outline the key elements within the reported Supported Playgroup
organisations management management • Key stakeholder websites Activities
reporting • Promote key elements guidelines for auspice • Develop a resource outlining key elements links to the reported
http://www.families.nsw.gov.au/
• Promote key element organisations on state level management resources/resources-index.htm Supported Playgroup Activities
guidelines to auspice website and communication • Links to key elements guidelines uploaded on state level
organisations management websites
Implementation • Encourage auspice • Communication strategies to include links to • Existing communication channels to • Key stakeholder websites to include links and available resources
procedures and organisations to implement resources and support for auspice organisations auspice organisations for parents/carers on the key elements
support strategies the key elements to promote implementation of the key elements • South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra • Scope available resources to be promoted
• Provide information on the • Promote links within state level management Shoalhaven Local Health Districts Healthy • Review and update resources available for parents/carers
key elements to all parents/ programs to information and support on the key Eating and Active Play at Playgroup,
• Scope existing state level management and region communication
carers that access the state elements to parents/carers Centre for Oral Health Strategy resources
with auspice organisations
level management services • Incorporate promotion of the key elements and other relevant resources available for
parents/carers to download • Develop communication to promote the key elements to auspice
resources and support for auspice organisations
organisations
within existing learning and development • South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra
Shoalhaven Local Health Districts Healthy • Scope existing state level management and region training or
Eating and Active Play at Playgroup learning and development for auspice organisations
identified Food and Nutrition and Active
Play Resources and Websites
Inclusivity and • Promote culturally • Communication strategies for auspice • Existing communication channels to • Scope available culturally appropriate resources and information
integration appropriate key elements to organisations to promote culturally appropriate auspice organisations on the key elements to be promoted
auspice organisations and implementation of the key elements • Key stakeholder websites • Review and update resources to ensure cultural appropriateness
NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative
other state level • Promote links within state level management and inclusivity
• Sydney Local Health District Eat well,
management services programs to culturally appropriate information Drink Well, Clean Well, Play Well • Upload information onto stakeholder websites to ensure
• Provide access to and support on the key elements to parents/ Resources, Centre for Oral Health availability of access statewide
information on the key carers Strategy resources and other relevant
elements to all parents/ • Incorporate culturally appropriate promotion of resources available for parents/carers to
carers that access the state the key elements resources and support for download
level management services auspice organisations within existing learning
and developmentAuspice Organisations
Output:
• Healthy eating, active play, reduced small screen time and oral health promotion integrated into relevant policies, staff training and supported playgroup activities at all relevant levels across the whole supported playgroup
organisational structure.
• Guidelines promoting healthy eating, physical activity, reduced small screen time and oral health, developed for auspice organisations.
Key Action Areas Recommendations Strategies Resources Development
Policy/Guidelines • Support organisations to develop • Organisation development of key elements guidelines • South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra • Develop tools to assist development of
guidelines on the key elements • Guidelines promoting the key elements implemented Shoalhaven Local Health District (LHD) organisational guidelines
• Promote key elements guidelines across the organisation Healthy Eating and Active Play at • Auspice organisations develop organisational
across the organisation Playgroup specific guidelines on the key elements
• Live Life Well @ Health
Learning and • Provision of adequate training and • Promote training and support on the key elements to • Develop a communication strategy to promote
Development support on the key elements for facilitators online training for facilitators
facilitators • Provide opportunities to enable facilitators participation
• Facilitators encouraged to participate in training e.g. incentives, time, relief for professional
in training on the key elements development
Implementation • Encourage the development of key • Provide key elements guidelines on the stakeholder • South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra • Review and develop tools to promote the
procedures and elements guidelines across the website and/or promoted through existing Shoalhaven LHD Healthy Eating and development of key element guidelines within
support strategies organisation and within supported communication channels Active Play at Playgroup Guidelines and supported playgroups
playgroups • Provide resources to support implementation of checklist
• Provide tools to promote the key activities promoting the key elements. For example • The South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra
elements to facilitators physical activity equipment children may not have Shoalhaven LHD Healthy Eating and
access to at home or a set of plastic teeth to Active Play at Playgroup Healthy snacks
demonstrate how to brush properly checklist is available on the Playgroup
• Report the promotion of key elements to state level NSW website
management
Inclusivity and • Promote use of appropriate, locally • Incorporate promotion of the key elements into the local • Local Service Directory • Identification of local community services
integration available community health resources service directory • Existing community services supporting the promotion of key elements
• Ensure promotion of the key elements • Provide resources to promote the key elements in a • Existing organisational communication • Develop a resource tool to assist auspice
is culturally appropriate culturally appropriate and relevant manner channels organisations to promote local health services
• Provide access to information on the • Existing translation services
key elements to all parents/carers that
access the auspice organisation
services
NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative NSW HEALTH
1920
Facilitators/Coordinators, Parents/Carers and Children
Output:
• Healthy eating, active play, reduced small screen time and oral health promotion integrated into relevant policies, staff training and supported playgroup activities at all relevant levels across the whole supported playgroup
organisational structure.
• A set of tools and activities promoting healthy eating, active play, reduced small screen time and oral health, for supported playgroups which are: relevant to the setting and the need of participants; appropriate to the learning
approaches used in the setting; reflect the nature and operational perspectives of the supported playgroup setting; inclusive of the range of diverse participants.
• Simple guidelines for parents/carers which incorporate activities to try at home in relation to healthy eating, active play, reduced small screen time and oral health.
Key Action Areas Recommendations Strategies Resources Development
Policy/ • Encompass the • Develop a set of key element • South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD Healthy Eating and • Review and develop a set of tools to
Guidelines development of guidelines which are relevant to Active Play at Playgroup Guidelines and checklist develop guidelines to promote the key
supportive environments participants and integrated into the elements
and policies for healthy supported playgroup environment and
behaviours of the key operational context
elements
Learning and • Participate in training on • Provide training and support regarding • South Western Sydney LHD Active Play @ Playgroup PowerPoint • Review and update training tools and
Development the key elements the key elements for facilitators presentation for supported playgroup facilitator training resources
• Participate in training to delivering playgroups • South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra LHD Active Play at Playgroup Training • Develop an online training module for
deliver information on the • Provide relevant information for workshop presentation and outline for facilitators facilitators
key elements within the facilitators to communicate the key • South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD Healthy Snacks and • Review and develop support material
supported playgroup elements key messages to parents/ Drinks for Young Children Activity Workshop outline for facilitators including supported playgroup guideline
context carers checklists
• South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD Healthy Eating and
• Provide examples of how facilitators Active Play at Playgroup facilitator fact sheets • Promote the use of suitably qualified
can springboard learning of the key community guest speakers to present to
• Central Coast LHD PowerPoint presentation and session plan outline for
elements with other learning and parents/carers on the key elements to
supported playgroup facilitator training
development experiences demonstrate explicit teaching for
• NSW Centre for Oral Health Strategy Oral Health Information −
facilitators
Implementing Oral Health in Education and Care Services factsheet and
NSW Little Smiles for NSW TAFE students
Implementation • Provide tools and • Provide resources with information • South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District • Review and develop a set of tools and
procedures and resources to promote a and activities to cater for various Healthy Eating and Active Play at Playgroup Parent Fact Sheets and activities to promote the key elements
support strategies supportive environment individual supported playgroups needs News Bites • Develop an online platform to disseminate
and assist the provision of
NSW HEALTH NSW Office of Preventive Health – Healthy Children Initiative
• Communication of key elements to • Centre for Oral Health Strategy resources information on the key elements to auspice
learning approaches and parents/carers organisations, facilitators and parents/
activities of the key carers
elements
• Identify materials available to be
disseminated to parents/carers to take
homeYou can also read
