What is iPLAY?

What is iPLAY?

iPLAY is the about creating a healthier environment for kids, families, and staff involved in YMCA After School Programs by meeting the Environmental Standards in the areas of Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, Connectedness, and Screen time.

The goals for iPLAY:

The goal of iPLAY is to meet and maintain the environmental standards below.

Physical Activity

• Offer moderate to vigorous, structured, physical activity for every child 5 days a week for minimum of 30 minutes during after school programs, and 60 minutes a day during all-day holiday and vacation programs.
• Achieve 100% child participation during moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Healthy Eating

• Offer kids a fruit or vegetable option every day after school and three-a-day in all-day holiday and vacation programs.
• Do not serve foods containing trans fats.
• Actively offer water as the primary drink every day.
• Do not serve sugar sweetened drinks.
• Incorporate at least one nutrition activity per week.

Connectedness

• At least one staff member facilitates a connection (one-on-one personal discussion regarding something uniquely important to the child) with each child daily, either alone or in a 2-3 persons group.
• At least one staff member facilitates a connection (one-on-one personal discussion regarding something uniquely important to the child or parent) with each parent / caregiver weekly, either alone or in a 2-3 persons group.

Advertising and Screen Time

• Do not include commercial broadcast TV, commercial movies, or recreational computer use in YMCA After School Programs.