Childcare institutions are cited as places with a negative impact on motor development.

To report the performance of the physiotherapist in a childcare institution in the city of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais.

Experience report of an extension project that began in 2015, which carried out evaluation, monitoring and physiotherapeutic care for institutionalized infants and children. Data were collected through documents available at the institution and interviews with caregivers. Motor development was assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale for infants or based on age-specific motor milestones. All institutionalized patients were evaluated by the project team and received individualized physiotherapeutic care once a week. The duration of follow-up varied according to the length of stay at the institution.

90 infants and children were evaluated. Physiotherapeutic care consisted of activities to stimulate development and the established objectives were centered on the complaint of each patient or caregiver, mainly aimed at improving the activity and participation components. Interventions were directly related to individual objectives, based on evidence-based practice. Physiotherapy sessions were carried out in a playful way, using children's music, allowing for greater interaction and social interaction. Most infants with motor delay evolved with adequate motor development after undergoing physiotherapeutic interventions. The team also shared knowledge with the caregivers, providing guidance on child development and receiving information about the care to be provided, evidencing the exchange of knowledge and the empowerment of caregivers.

Physiotherapeutic care had a positive impact on the neuropsychomotor development of infants and children, highlighting the importance of early assessment and intervention and the insertion of professional physiotherapists in this practice scenario.

Emphasize the importance of evaluation, early intervention, and the insertion of professional physiotherapists in shelter institutions.