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The Leader in Recycled Plastic Playground Equipment
 Play Mart, Inc. Selected as 2010 Head Start Body Start Preferred Provider
PRESS RELEASE
For More Information, contact:
Tabitha Beach, tabitha@playmart.com
(866) 630-5178
Play Mart, Inc. Selected as 2010 Head Start Body Start Preferred Provider for Playground, Natural Play, Storage, Safety and Water Play Equipment
RESTON, VA, (April, 26, 2010) -- Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) today announced that Play Mart, Inc. has been selected as one of 31 playground and plays space companies, equipment manufacturers, and other creators of playground and play space-related resources for inclusion on its 2010 HSBS Preferred Provider List (PPL).
The elite group of vendors have been vetted by a panel of early childhood movement professionals and selected for their offer of discounts and value-added packages of safe and developmentally appropriate products for recipients of the upcoming HSBS 2010 Play Space Grant Awards. Nearly $2 million in Play Space Grants will be awarded to Head Start Centers across the country this year by HSBS to improve their outdoor play spaces. Grant recipients will be able to purchase uniquely designed value-added packages created by the HSBS Preferred Providers at a minimum discount of 20% off the retail price.
According to Play Mart, Inc., “We are pleased to be identified as a 2010 Head Start Body Start Preferred Provider and to be able to support Head Start programs in developing their outdoor play spaces. Our mission is to provide children the opportunity of experiencing a safe, environmentally friendly, and creative place in which to play and grow. Our role as a Head Start Body Start Preferred Provider allows us to fulfill part of our mission by providing our environmentally friendly, recycled plastic playground products to Head Start Centers nationwide. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to benefit from nature's developmental stimulation, and our unique Nature of Early Play products support healthy bodies and minds by integrating nature into the play environment. ”
Rebecca Beach, Co-Owner of Play Mart, collaborated with Co-owner, husband and Landscape Architect, Dennis Beach, to design Play Mart's Nature of Early Play products with several principles in mind:
- Reducing pre-set themes in play elements and replacing with play elements that allow children to use their imagination and have a different play experience every day.
- Multifunction products. For instance Play Mart's Modular Boxes can be used as a planter, a seat, a storage box for loose parts, steps, tiny table, etc.
- Products that are recycled, durable and fully functional in all weather and outdoor environments.
- Authentic experiences. The best example of authenticity is Play Mart's new outdoor musical instruments designed by a Grammy award winning musician/ artist, Richard Cooke.
- Heavy duty, recycled containers and planters that allow directors to incorporate plants, trees, vegetables and flowers into the outdoor environment for the healthy benefits of live, oxygen producing, detoxifying plants.
Rebecca describes several of Play Mart's HSBS Value Packages. Referring to the Outdoor Music Garden, she says, “Where words fail, music may be a medium through which to explore one's inner world and experiences. The playing of good quality percussion instruments can be of inestimable value for individuals who have difficulties in hearing, seeing, moving, thinking or responding.” And, explains that the Outdoor Art Classrom products, “make it easy for a teacher to take an entire class outside for a variety of arts and crafts projects. Children can develop small motor skills while creating works of art on the six-sided Paint Panel Wall.” Rebecca designed the Nature and Garden Center package to, “provide very young children the opportunity to begin developing an appreciation for the natural world with authentic nature experiences.” For example, Play Mart's Vine House, “provides the perfect 'hiding spot' for imaginative games.”
“Outdoor play is associated with greater amounts of physical activity in children, and research has shown that opportunities for whole body exercise has a long lasting influence as preschool physical activity tracks throughout childhood,” said Center Director, Karin H. Spencer, EdD. “Unfortunately children today spend less time playing outdoors than any previous generation,” added Spencer. “We want to help the Head Start staff discover the benefits of outdoor play across developmental domains and learn about the features of high quality outdoor play spaces that promote movement opportunities for children of all ability levels.”
Play Mart, Inc. joins HSBS in its efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. Learn more about Play Mart’s participation and the Play Space Grants on the HSBS website at www.headstartbodystart.org.
Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) is a project of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR), which are associations of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Funding for HSBS is provided by the Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of HSBS is to increase physical activity, outdoor play and healthy eating among Head Start and Early Head Start children, families and staff. HSBS will assist Head Start programs in creating healthy learning environments, both in and outside the classroom, through structured and unstructured physical activity that leads to the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of young children and reduces obesity and its associated costs. HSBS has three main objectives: (1) to inform and assist OHS in setting national priorities and developing policies; (2) to provide resources, training and technical assistance to Head Start and Early Head Start Centers; and (3) to administer and support grants for construction or improvement of outdoor play spaces at Head Start Centers.
Play Mart manufactures environmentally-friendly playground equipment, natural play elements and site amenities (ergonomic benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles) from solid recycled plastic with an outstanding warranty! Highly durable, vandal-resistant, safe and low maintenance. Play Mart's products contribute toward LEED certified projects. Stainless steel hardware and metal welds won’t corrode or rust. ADA Accessible. Woman Owned Small Business with a GSA Contract.
For more information about Play Mart's HSBS Preferred Provider status or products, contact:
Rebecca Beach
rebecca@playmart.com
(800) 437-5297
Play Mart, Inc.
Recovering yesterday's plastics for today's play™
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