About this Event
We're bringing together the most passionate, playful, and powerfully positive early childhood professionals in the city of Worcester!
The work you do as an early childhood professional is some of the most important work in the entire world.
Our goal is to help you:
(1) Reconnect with your purpose
(2) Recharge your energy
(3) Become part of a community who believe in the healing power of play.
Our trained Playmakers experience stronger relationships with children, less burnout, and more joy in their work. You deserve that, too.
PS: Planning to attend? Please register using this page. Your confirmation email will serve as your ticket. Advance registration is required to finalize our headcount.
Please note that this kickoff event is for early childhood professionals working in the city of Worcester with children under the age of 9. If that's you, awesome! If not, no worries, as we'll have plenty of other events. You can email John Logan at [email protected] if you have any questions!
THE EXPERIENCE: A Sneak Peek into the Agenda
3:30 - 4:00pm: Opening Reception & Registration
Come on in and explore the activations throughout the space.
4:00 – 4:15pm: Welcoming Remarks
It's time to kick off the movement together!
4:15 – 5:15pm: Keynote Experience
Get ready for inspiration, storytelling, and practical insights from our Founder and Chief Playmaker, Steve Gross, who has spent 30+ years helping educators bring more joy and resilience into their work.
5:15 – 5:50 pm: Playmaker Experience
Learn, laugh, and play with an interactive session.
5:50 – 6:00pm: Super Power Performance + Closing
See how we all have super powers within us.
6:00 - 6:30pm: Celebratory Reception
Celebrate, connect, and build your Playmaker community.
TRANSPORTATION: Tips and Tricks for October 7th
Even though the event doesn't officially kick off until 3:00pm, we recommend arriving at the area between 2:30pm and 2:45pm to allow time for parking, check-in, and settling in before the program begins.
Below are some options so you feel prepared when the day comes:
Venue Address: 100 Madison Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608
Parking Garages Options (~5-minute walks from venue)
LAZ Parking - Green Island Blvd,10 Green Island Blvd, Worcester, MA 01604
Public Transportation Options:
• The WRTA is fare free, and has a number of bus lines converging at Union Station near Polar Park. Click here for more information.
• The MBTA Framingham/Worcester line serves 17 stops, heading to and from Boston (Back Bay & South Station). Union Station is located in the heart of downtown and just an 8-minute walk to Polar Park. Click here for more information.
AFTER THE EVENT: The Playmaker Pinky Promise
(PS - This is how you receive your $500 scholarship and CEUs!)
We Pinky Promise to You: An inspiring, energizing experience that celebrates you and the incredible work you do every day.
You Pinky Promise to Us: To fully use the opportunity you’ve been selected for by continuing your journey through Playmaker University after the event. Completion of Playmaker University is how you will receive your $500 scholarship and CEUs.
Thanks to our sponsors, you will receive:
(1) FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO PLAYMAKER UNIVERISTY ($500 VALUE)
• Playmaker University is our signature virtual certification program designed to help you build trauma-informed, play-based skills at your own pace, with live support available along the way.
• After the October 7 event, you will be sent an application to enroll in PMU. There are virtual 10 lessons, a learning lab, and a final assignment. Learners have access to live support throughout their journey.
(2) 1.8 CEUs UPON PLAYMAKER UNIVERSITY COMPLETION
• 1.4 through ten courses + 0.4 upon Playmaker University completion.
• We achieved international recognition through the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET), the gold standard in professional learning.
• This means our Playmaker community gets the credit they deserve to advance their career, and our supporters get the confidence they deserve knowing our program has been independently reviewed and recognized.
(3) ONGOING SUPPORT
• Playmaker University isn’t a one-and-done training. As a Playmaker, you’ll gain continued access to coaching, advanced learning opportunities, and a community of fellow educators who are committed to supporting one another long after the program ends. You’ll leave with practical tools and people in your corner.
By joining us for this event, you’re committing to actively participate in Playmaker University after the kickoff experience and to graduate from the program by March 15, 2027. You must be present at the event on Playmaker City Worcester on October 7, 2026 and graduate Playmaker University by March 15, 2027 to receive the benefits above. (Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!)
ABOUT THE LIFE IS GOOD PLAYMAKER PROJECT
The Life is Good Playmaker Project is the nonprofit partner to Life is Good dedicated to helping kids heal from childhood trauma. For over 20 years, we have provided trauma-informed, optimism-infused training, resources, and support to over 30,000 early childhood professionals who reach over 1 million kids each year. Our program has been proven to address some of the biggest challenges in the field by reducing burnout, improving the quality of teacher-student relationships, and better preparing educators to support the social-emotional health of children facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma. We are an IACET-accredited organization and offer IACET CEUs for Playmaker University. You can learn more at playmakerproject.org.
WHAT IS A PLAYMAKER?
Decades of research show nurturing relationships with attuned, responsive adults can protect children from trauma’s impacts and set the foundation for long-term health & success. Playmakers are early childhood professionals trained to build these life-changing relationships by using the single most important activity in children’s lives – play.
For any questions about the event, you can contact John Logan at [email protected]
Event Venue
Polar Park, 100 Madison Street, Worcester, United States
