The project seeks to address gaps in understanding regarding potential hazards posed by the physical demands common in many early year’s roles. Specifically, it aims to investigate possible risk or impacts on individuals’ musculoskeletal (MSK) health associated with environmental or role factors, and how these may be mitigated.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most widespread and burdensome form of impairment - an estimated 1.71 billion people are impacted globally (Cieza et al., 2020), with back pain cited as the largest individual source of disability both globally (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2023), and domestically in the UK (Ferreira et al., 2023). Expectations are for this phenomenon to increase, with potential knock-on effects for employment longevity, individual wellbeing, and demands on health care services.
This multi-partner endeavour delivers the first robust analyses of the MSK health of those working in the UK early years sector, considering the actions and environments which may be associated with poorer outcomes. Project partners are united in the goals of raising awareness, reducing risk, and promoting best MSK practices in the early years sector, with a view towards improving early years practitioner MSK health outcomes, increasing quality of provision for children, and reducing staff turnover in the sector.
Level of Education: Preschool
Lead Organisation: University of Derby
