Following a local pilot in 2021-2022 the Healthy Movers programme is being rolled out.

The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Youth Sport Trust, Public Health Dorset, Active Dorset and BCP and Dorset Councils Early Years colleagues is aimed at nurturing physical literacy and social and emotional development in two to five-year-olds.

Public Health Dorset has funded this programme which includes an Early Years physical activity officer role, hosted and supported by Active enabling participation at home.

Ali Oliver, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Government advice says children under five ‘should spend at least 180 minutes a day doing a variety of physical activities, including active and outdoor play’, but unfortunately, research shows only 19 per cent of children are currently meeting this target.”

The programme is poised to expand to a range of settings, by piloting the offer to include Family Hubs, Libraries, and Pre-Schools with approximately 100 settings already signed up to participate in the programme.