Implementing active play standards: a qualitative study with licensed childcare providers in British Columbia, Canada.

This article focuses on the implementation of the Active Play (AP) Standard and the associated capacity-building initiative, Appetite to Play, designed to promote physical activity, limit screen time, and develop fundamental movement skills (FMS) in licensed early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings in British Columbia, Canada. Through qualitative interviews with 23 ECEC practitioners, the study identified facilitators such as alignment of the AP Standard with provider values, simplicity of the guidelines, and supportive capacity-building workshops, alongside barriers including limited physical space, equipment, and organizational support within ECEC settings. Providers’ personal experience and role models also influenced implementation success, while screen time was generally minimal and aligned with existing practices. The findings suggest that future efforts should address modifiable organizational factors and enhance provider training to foster a positive physical activity culture in ECEC environments.