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Table 1 Construct variables used in analyses and their component single variable contributors

From: Preschool and childcare center characteristics associated with children’s physical activity during care hours: an observational study

Construct variable for analyses

Survey items included in cluster variable

Item scoring and range for construct variable

Physical environment characteristics

Indoor physical activity space

Indoor physical activity area available at any time during sessions; indoor physical activity area available before/after sessions; staff member available to supervise indoor physical activity before/after sessions; indoor play space available when weather is not suitable to go outdoors

Items scored yes/no (available during session, before/after session, staff supervision) or 4-point Likert scale (unsuitable weather); range 0–7

Availability of natural resources

Trees, shrubs in outdoor area; natural hills or inclines; logs or sleepers for balancing on; coverage of trees/natural shrubbery in play areas

Presence of features (trees, hills, logs) scored yes/no; coverage scored on 3-point Likert scale; total range 0–6

Use of constructed resources

Number of shaded/covered areas; artificial lighting in shaded/covered areas; fenced areas for kicking/striking

Lighting, fenced areas scored yes/no; number of shaded areas: continuous number

Indoor activity spaces

Number of indoor physical activity areas; number of rooms with physical activity equipment

Sum of continuous responses

Ovals/grassed spaces

Number of outdoor ovals or grassed spaces available

Total number

Outdoor activity areas

Number of outdoor play areas with equipment; number of outdoor play areas without equipment

Sum of continuous responses

Indoor physical activity space

Total indoor physical activity space

Areas measured; total space determined (m2)

Outdoor physical activity space

Total outdoor physical activity space

Areas measured; total space determined (m2)

Total physical activity space

Total indoor physical activity space; Total outdoor physical activity space

Sum of above variables (m2)

Fixed equipment

Number of pieces of fixed equipment

Total number of pieces

Permanent features

Number of permanent features (e.g. wall/ground markings)

Total number of features

Portable equipment

Number of pieces of portable equipment (e.g. climbing frames, balls)

Total number of pieces

Sports equipment

Children permitted to bring their own equipment (e.g. balls); sports equipment available before/after sessions

Items scored yes/no; total range 0–2

Natural ground coverings

Number of outdoor play spaces with natural ground coverings (e.g. grass)

Total number

Synthetic ground coverings

Number of outdoor play spaces with synthetic ground coverings (e.g. concrete)

Total number

Policy characteristics

Funding

Funding for physical activity from organisation; budget specifically allocated to support physical activity

Items coded yes/no; total score 0–2

Restrictions to physical activity

Restrictions for misbehaviour; frequency of children being seated for ≥30 mins at a time; limits on number/quantity of sport equipment used at one time

Items scored on 4-point Likert scale (misbehaviour, seated) or yes/no (limits on sport equipment); range 0–9

Electronic media use

Frequency of watching TV/videos/DVDs; frequency of playing e-games; frequency of computer use

Each item scored on 5-point Likert scale; range 0–15

Staff physical activity training

Staff participate in physical activity training opportunities

Likert scale; range 0–4

Outdoor safety

Quality/safety of fixed equipment; quality/safety of ground coverings; frequency of safety checks on equipment

Each item scored on 3- or 4-point Likert scale; total range 0–13

Environmental restrictions to physical activity

Children allowed to play in/on trees; fences/barriers restricting access to play equipment; designated areas of yard for different groups of children; designated time during which different groups can use the yard or areas of the yard; presence of quiet outdoor play areas; requirement that all children be outdoors during outdoor activity sessions

Items scored yes/no; total range 0–6

Program characteristics

Total physical activity delivered to children

Physical activity delivered by teacher/staff each week; physical activity delivered by someone other than teacher/staff each week

Total minutes/week

Structured physical activity

Number of structured physical activity sessions; duration of structured physical activity sessions

Number of structured sessions Χ duration of each session; total minutes/week

Free play

Amount of time in active outdoor free play time

Total minutes/week

Number of other physical activity opportunities

Physical activity outside normal session time; number of annual physical activity events or fundraisers; outsourced physical activity sessions

Each item coded yes/no; range 0–3

Indoor duration before being allowed outdoors

Amount of time children had to be indoors before they could be outdoors

Total minutes

Physical activity programs

Center is a member of a network or participates in programs designed to promote physical activity; center has an active transport policy; center links with local community groups (e.g. sporting clubs); center is a member of Kids Go for your Life program; other policy or program initiatives to support physical activity

Each item scored yes/no; total range 0–5

Parent physical activity support

Center promotes/encourages formal (providing instructions, etc.) and/or informal (providing support/encouragement to children, etc.) parent involvement/support of physical activity programs

Likert scale (0–2); total range 0–4

Physical activity support

Visible support for physical activity through posters, pictures, books, etc.; during active free play time staff join in

Each item scored on 4-point Likert scale; total range 0–8