FAQ
The Power of Play
Bring Play To Your City
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How many staff are assigned to a school?
One full-time, caring and consistent Playworks coach implements our entire program at each school. They work Monday through Friday, usually 9am – 5pm, depending on the school bell schedule. Through a selective hiring process, intensive and thoughtful training, and an ongoing support process, our staff is provided with a comprehensive set of tools and resources to help them run successful programs.
Who are your staff? What are their qualifications?
Energetic, fun, and consistent are three words that capture a Playworks coach. A common thread among our staff is a commitment and passion to support the health and well-being of children. All coaches come to Playworks with prior experience working with children and generally have worked within after-school programs, youth leagues and summer camps, or within other youth service agencies in the non-profit sector.
Do we still need to provide supervision at recess periods?
Yes. The role of the coach on the playground is to create structured, safe opportunities for play. They should not be a substitute for a yard supervisor.
Does your staff teach PE classes?
No. Our coaches are not PE teachers and are not required to have a teaching credential. Playworks does offer 30-45 minute structured physical activity classes with the teachers. During these Class Game Times, students and teachers are able to learn and practice the games and physical activities that will be provided during recess periods.
How would you work with our existing after-school program?
The Playworks after-school program model works with the same 20-25 students for the entire school year with the goal of developing a strong, ongoing relationship with students and their families. We have found that our format often complements larger after school collaborative programs by working with those students who would benefit from being a part of a smaller community were they will receive greater attention during the after school hours.
Do you work with Kindergarten?
Yes. We work with all elementary grade levels through our recess and class game time components.
Do you work with middle schools or K-8 schools?
Playworks programming is designed for elementary schools, however we do work with K-8 schools if the focus is on the lower grades.
Do you provide part-time staff?
No. One of the essential aspects to our programs success is that our staff becomes a part of the larger school community. By having a consistent presence during the in-school and after school hours, our coaches build strong relationships with students, families, and staff, throughout the school year.
Who is responsible for supervising the Playworks staff person?
Playworks is responsible for training and overseeing the work of each coach. We assign each school site a program manager, whose role is to supervise and support a group of 8-12 coaches. Program managers are responsible for overseeing and maintaining program quality at each school site and serve as the primary contact person for school administrators.
How much does it cost?
The total cost of the program is around $55,000 per school, of which each school pays $23,500. This cost covers a trained, full-time coach for the entire school year. We also ask schools to provide a basic set of playground equipment (balls, cones, jump ropes, etc) that usually cost no more than $300 and can be supplemented by existing equipment at the school site.
How do schools pay for their portion of the program?
The majority of schools use funding within their own school budget. Some schools supplement their funds through external sources such as grants and community support.
How do schools apply?
School Interest Forms are generally sent out in January of every year. After conducting school site visits we make decisions beginning in March on which schools we will be working with during the upcoming year. Schools which are not selected are placed on our waiting list. If we are currently in your city or region, contact your local Playworks branch. If you are in a potential expansion region, please contact the national Playworks office.
When can you start?
Playworks' school-based programs are designed to start on the first day of school. We recruit our staff throughout the year, train them in the summer, with programming set to start at the beginning of the school year. We generally do not start up programming mid-year.
Can I get Playworks in my city?
Playworks is expanding and looking for new cities that wish to bring play to their schools and students. To learn more, please contact Eunice Dunham. We may not have plans to be in your city this year, but hopefully we will in future years. Our vision is that one day every child will have an opportunity to play every day. Although it may take some time, we are excited to be a part of a movement to make that vision a reality.
Who would you recommend attend your trainings? Who are they designed to help?
We offer tools for both direct line staff and for program supervisors so that they can support their staff in implementing a healthy and safe play and physical activity program. Recess staff, teachers, after-school staff, parks and recreation staff, and supervisors can all benefit from our training program.
Where do you typically do your trainings?
Playworks trainers travel anywhere in the United States, and conduct our trainings at your site. We prefer to have a space that will allow participants to move around in a safe manner. Gymnasiums, auditoriums, and large multipurpose rooms are ideal. Trainings can take place on either weekdays or weekends.
How long is a typical Playworks training?
Trainings are typically three hours, and can be customized to fit your needs. Playworks also offers series of trainings for schools or programs that are looking for on-going support.
Is there a minimum or maximum number of participants for trainings?
To keep the trainings interactive and participatory, we generally work with groups of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 people.
If your program has more than 30 staff, we recommend providing multiple trainings for smaller groups, or we can send additional trainers to work with the entire staff. If you have fewer than 10 staff, we recommend partnering with another organization to gather the minimum number of participants.
How much do Playworks trainings cost?
Rates are based on content, training length, the number of participants and travel fees. Typically, trainings are approximately $1,200 for up to four hours and $2,000 for workshops requiring 4-7 hours. More details about rates can be found on the rates page.
How far in advance should we book trainings?
If you have a specific date in mind, we recommend contacting us 8-12 weeks in advance. If your dates are flexible, contact us 4-6 weeks in advance.
Playworks is in my city, but it is not in my school? How can I get Playworks in my school?
Playworks coaches work on-site exclusively in low-income schools. To bring Playworks to your school, at least 50 percent of enrollment must be eligible for free and reduced lunches. To learn more, contact the city director listed on our web site for your city. S/he will be able to provide the information you need to bring Playworks to your school.
What if my school does not meet our low-income requirement?
If your school does not meet our low-income requirements, we can bring play to your school through Playworks Training. Our training is designed to teach parents, teachers, staff and other adults how to organize healthy and inclusive play, and to help youth learn lessons about teamwork, communication and conflict resolution that enable them to return to the classroom ready to learn.
How can I benefit from a Playworks training?
Professional development and on-going training is a proven key to the success of teachers, youth development workers, and recess staff. Playworks' trainings will provide you and your staff with the necessary tools to implement a healthy and safe play and physical activity program. Please view the various workshops we offer to see what topics are most relevant to your needs.
Do I have to work with a school to attend one of your trainings?
No. We serve all organizations who have staff that work with children and youth (3-17 years old).
Do you ever offer trainings that are open to anyone, whether a member of a school community or not?
We held our first national Play On Conference in 2009, and are in the process of scheduling the 2010 conference. Play On featured a variety of topics related to play and its impact in schools and communities, as well as several intensive Playworks training sessions.
