Bring Play to Your City
The Power of Play
Bring Play To Your City
Recent News
Playworks plans to expand to 27 cities by 2013, serving a quarter million students in low-income schools every day.
Playworks is committed to our vision that one day all children will enjoy the full emotional, social, learning and health benefits of play and physical activity every day. In the 2011-12 school year, we operate on-site programs in 23 major US cities and directly serve more than 130,000 children at low income schools every day. We also offer a comprehensive training and technical service program to train even more adults to bring healthy play to schools and communities where we don’t offer our direct service.
Based in Oakland, California, Playworks started in 1996 with two Berkeley elementary schools under the name Sports4Kids. With major support and funding by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other organizations, by 2012 Playworks will expand its direct service program to 27 cities, serving 60 schools and more than a quarter million students on a daily basis. We work on-site exclusively with low income schools in urban areas.
Playworks operates in urban cities around the country. To qualify for a full-time Playworks program, schools must have at least 50 percent of student enrollment eligible for free or reduced school lunches, although the majority of our partner schools are well above 50 percent.
If your school does not qualify for our direct service or Playworks is not in your city, we can still help you bring play back to your playgrounds: Check out the Training section of our website or download our handbook with dozens of games.
If you are lucky enough to live in any of the following cities, then Playworks is already bringing play to public schools in your area. Click on the city to learn more:
Can I get Playworks in my city?
Playworks is expanding and looking for new cities that wish to bring play our direct service program to their schools and students. To learn more, please contact info@playworks.org. We may not have plans bring our direct service your city this year, but hopefully we will in future years. We do bring Playworks Training to cities all across the US. 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.
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 executive 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.
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.
How much does it cost?
Each of our partner schools pays $25,500 per year for the on-site program. 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.
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.
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.
Do we still need to provide supervision at recess periods?
Yes. The role of the coach on the playground is to create safe and inclusive options and opportunities for play. They should not be a substitute for a playground supervisor.
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.
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.
Does your staff teach PE classes?
No. Our coaches are not Physical Education 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
How to Bring Playworks to Your City:
- Send an email to info@playworks.org if you’re interested in our full-time program.
- Visit Playworks Training to view our workshops.
