Services

Create a culture of learning through play with Playworks’ evidence-backed services

Partner with Playworks

When kids play well, they discover the joy of physical activity.

They resolve conflicts and learn to get along. They come back to class ready to learn. Studies show that recess matters: a thoughtful approach to recess improves children’s physical health and social and emotional learning.

We partner with schools to support play every day onsite, offsite, and remotely.

Playworks Staffing

Create a culture of play before, during, and after school with a skilled Playworks Coach.  Our Playworks Coach program provides elementary schools with a full-time staff member to implement the four components of the Playworks program throughout the school year

For Title 1 schools; 50% subsidized.

Playworks Coach is subsidized 50% for Title 1 schools. Join 10 Title 1 schools in the Detroit area.

Consultative Support

Equip your recess team through support and modeling from Playworks TeamUp. Or, explore other consultative options.  Playworks TeamUp provides elementary schools with a part-time consultant that utilizes Playworks program components to teach, model and empower sustainability

For all schools.

Join four schools in the Detroit area.

Professional Development

Enhance the ongoing development of all school, early childhood or youth-serving organization staff through interactive and fun workshops that promote positive culture and social and emotional learning.  Sharpen play facilitation skills with Playworks Pro workshops for your staff and/or a subscription of online courses from PlayworksU.

For schools and youth organizations.

Join schools and organizations across Michigan.

two girls playing on blacktop
two girls playing on blacktop

November 8, 2022

Play Contributes to Safe and Healthy Communities ›

Play is an essential part in building safe and healthy communities where children feel connected and invested in the world around them. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Play…

kids running on playground
kids running on playground

October 24, 2022

Kids are Still Recovering from Pandemic Losses. Play Can Help. ›

As pandemic school closures recede into memory for many schools, the impacts linger. Kids, educators, and families are still working on creating a new normal.  One working paper from the…

kids playing on blacktop
kids playing on blacktop

September 30, 2022

How Social and Emotional Support Rewires Brains—and Schools ›

“Better recess creates better learning. Happier children learn better.”  – Victoria Grau, Recess Supervisor, John Garvy Elementary School, Chicago, IL “Happy kids learn better” may seem like good common sense—but…

FAQ

Do you work with middle schools or K-8 schools?

Playworks programming is designed for elementary schools. We do work with K-8 schools if the focus is on the lower grades.

Who are your staff? What are their qualifications?

Energetic, fun, and consistent are three words that capture Playworks coaches, site coordinators, and certified trainers. A common thread among our staff is a commitment to and passion for supporting the health and well-being of children. All coaches, site coordinators, and certified trainers 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 nonprofit sector.

Who is responsible for supervising the Playworks staff person?

Playworks is responsible for training and overseeing the work of each coach, site coordinator, and certified trainer. We assign each school site a program manager, whose role is to supervise and support coaches and site coordinators. 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 many staff are assigned to a school?

In the Playworks Coach service, one full-time, caring and consistent Playworks coach implements our entire program at each school.

With Playworks TeamUp, Playworks partners with elementary schools by providing a part-time on-site coordinator to teach, model, and empower a sustainable recess program.

Playworks Pro provides professional training and ongoing development to existing school staff, paraprofessionals, and after-school care providers to create and maintain a great recess and play environment throughout the school year.

What offsite and remote support is available to direct service schools?

We provide a number of opportunities for school staff and kids to experience distance learning, including:

  • Curation of Playworks resources: Site Coordinator will provide staff with guidance and support resources for virtual game implementation and self-directed play activities for students
  • Live “Virtual Play” Sessions: Site Coordinator will lead virtual CGT and JCLP sessions with students
  • Consultation Webinars: When in-person trainings are not possible, Playworks will provide school staff with professional development and support for in-person and distance learning play-based programming

Get Started


Get in touch for a free recess consultation. Find out which service is right for you.

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