Abstract : In early childhood, physical activity (PA) is important for the development of basic motor skills and abilities and has a positive effect on the child's state of health. During their studies, students acquire all the necessary knowledge and skills to provide high-quality PA for pre-school children. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the type of study (full-time/part-time) of their competences for implementing PA for preschool children. A questionnaire was used to measure the importance that students attach to PA competence. The sample consists of full-time (N=166) and part-time students (N=117) in Early Childhood Education study programme. Based on the survey it was found that full-time students attach greater importance to PA competencies than part-time students (p< 0.05), that they have more PA competences (p< 0.05), there is no difference in the desired PA competences (p=0.216). The strength of the correlation between the opinions of full-time and part-time students on the PA competences is statistically significant (p < 0.05). The PA competences of all students by final year of study decrease over the years (p< 0.05). The WHO recommends at least 180 minutes of PA per day in early childhood. Children spend most of their waking hours in kindergarten and it is the responsibility of kindergarten teachers to ensure that they have sufficient opportunities and chances to be PA. The Early Childhood Education study programme for part-time students needs to be adapted to these realities as soon as possible.

Keyword : Early Childhood, Motor Competences, Physical Activity.