Playworld Systems featured on Head Start Body Start preferred provider list

Lewisburg, Pa. (June 23, 2009) – Playworld Systems, a leading manufacturer of playground equipment, was recently included as part of the Head Start Body Start (HSBS) Preferred Provider List. The Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS), located within the AAPHERD headquarters in Reston, Va., was created to foster physical activity, outdoor play, and nutrition education among Head Start and Early Head Start Center children, families, and staff.

The HSBS 2009 Preferred Provider List (PPL) includes vendors selected by a panel of early childhood movement professionals. Each preferred provider offers value-added packages of safe and developmentally appropriate outdoor playground equipment and play-space related materials at a discount for recipients of the 2009 Play Space Grant Awards. The PPL is provided to grant award applicants to plan their outdoor play space improvements.

"HSBS and Playworld share a commitment in helping children experience and understand the importance of play in their daily routines," said Matt Miller, president of Playworld Systems. "Play positively impacts children emotionally, physically and socially. Aligning with organizations that support and appreciate these benefits is of utmost importance to our company and its people."

In an effort to improve outdoor play spaces at Head Start centers throughout the U.S., HSBS is providing grants of up to $5,000. In addition to the grants, the centers will receive special training, consulting services from a physical activity expert, and access to online training programs. Grant applications are due via email by July 1, 2009 and can be found at: http://www.aahperd.org/headstartbodystart/. Grants will be awarded on or after September 1, 2009 and funds must be spent by December 31. "Increasing physical activity and outdoor play for the nation's 900,000 Head Start children, their families and staff is one of the goals of the center," said Head Start Body Start Director Karin H. Spencer, Ed.D." This is an exciting opportunity for companies who are dedicated to increasing physical activity to join our efforts and support the early childhood community in developing their outdoor play spaces."

Additional information on Head Start Body Start and how to apply for grants can be found at www.headstartbodystart.org.

About Playworld Systems, Inc.

Headquartered in Lewisburg, Pa., Playworld Systems, a family-owned company, has offered a variety of recreational solutions for more than 30 years. Because Playworld Systems believes the world needs play, it strives to produce the most innovative, creative, and imaginative recreational products through its PlayDesigns®, Playworld™, and LifeTrail® brands. With the invention of NEOS, Playworld Systems is the first playground manufacturer to bring electronic gaming into the outdoor play space.

Additionally, in an effort to tangibly reduce its carbon footprint, Playworld Systems is the first major U.S. manufacturer to remove 99.999 percent of PVC from products. For more information, visit www.playworldsystems.com.