Playground Design Online Course

Playground Design Online Course
Full Fee $595.00 incl GST - Best Value!
Payment Plan $800.00 incl GST
Duration 100 hrs (12 months)
Exam Optional
Tutor Support Yes unlimited by email
Qualification Certificate
Clear

  • Explore opportunities to work in the play industry, as a designer, consultant, playground builder, materials and equipment supplier, etc.
  • Understand how to create environments sympathetic to a childs development.

This course develops a sound understanding of the design and construction of small community parks and playgrounds.  A valuable course for parks managers or designers, the course covers playground philosophy, design of play structures (for function and safety), materials selection, community participation and park design.

Why study this Playground Design course?

Do you dream of building a backyard playground that is the envy of the neighbourhood? Or, do you want to ensure the community park you are designing is loved by the locals? Then Careerline’s online Playground Design course is for you. You will develop valuable knowledge that will help you design playground and park facilities that are appreciated by your family or local community.

Whether you hope to upskill, get a head start on future studies, or expand your career opportunities, studying with Careerline will have a positive impact on your future. Whether you are a parent or educator, or an aspiring town planner or construction worker, you will be able to put the knowledge you develop during your studies to good use. Your new skills will help you to feel prepared and informed as you design your next playground.

What will you learn?

Careerline’s online Playground Design course will introduce you to the basics of designing play areas that are entertaining, educational, and safe. You will study the different types of playgrounds, and the planning theories that are used when designing them. Students learn about the philosophy of play and playgrounds, and how children learn by interacting with their environment. In addition, you will develop an understanding of preparing a concept plan for a playground.

Playground Design students learn about the materials typically used in playgrounds for safety, durability, and sensory reasons. You will study the components of a playground, including buildings and structures, floors, and plants. Finally, you will develop an awareness of the importance of community participation and consultation in the design of parks and playgrounds. You will learn to design for the needs of local residents and evaluate the importance of fitness and environmental facilities to a community.

Who is this online Playground Design course for?

Careerline’s online Playground Design course is ideal for landscapers, childcare managers, early childhood and primary educators, town planners, gardeners, and builders who want to improve their professional skills. It is also ideal for parents and guardians of young children who hope to build their own backyard playground. You will learn skills that will improve the quality of your playground designs, as well as improve your career prospects.

This course is also designed for anyone hoping to pursue further studies in landscaping, education, childcare, garden maintenance, or construction.

Course Aims:

  • Determine the procedure to plan a park development, including a playground and other facilities.
  • Prepare a concept plan for a park or playground.
  • Assess the design of park components, including materials and equipment used in parks and playgrounds.
  • Determine appropriate design characteristics for a local or neighbourhood parks.
  • Determine legal implications involved in the design of a playground.
  • Design facilities to cater for movement throughout a park or playground.
  • Manage appropriate community participation in development of a park or playground.

 

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    Detailed Course Outline

    This course is made up of a number of lessons or units.  Each of these has self assessment questions, a set task (practical homework) and an assignment which you can upload online.  Click below to read about each of the lessons and what you will learn.

    There are 8 Lessons in this course:

    Overview of Parks and Playgrounds

    • Types of Playgrounds
    • Big Toy Playgrounds
    • Community Playgrounds
    • Adventure Playgrounds
    • Manipulating the Environment to provide for play
    • Play Forests; bamboo, pine, eucalyptus, deciduous
    • Evaluating a Playground’s value
    • Checklist for Functional Value of a Playground
    • Site Planning Process
    • Planning and Design
    • Insurance Considerations
    • Planning Theories: comprehensive, structure, systems, advocacy
    • Central Place Theory

    Playground Philosophy

    • What is Play
    • Children interacting with the Environment
    • Nature and Scope of Adventure Playgrounds
    • Establishing an Adventure Playground
    • The Adventure Play Leader
    • Site Design

    Preparing a Concept Plan

    • Planning for Play; planning levels, planning participants, processes
    • Stages of Planning
    • Project Questionnaire
    • Planning Principles
    • Design Procedure Step by Step
    • Minimising Costs in a Playground Development
    • Catering for Disabled People
    • Special Playgrounds
    • Case Study Playground in a Child Care Centre
    • Case Study in a Public Park

    Materials

    • Characteristics
    • Comparing and Choosing Options for Construction Materials
    • Barriers and Walls
    • Fences
    • Surfaces, paths and hard surfaced areas
    • Safety Characteristics of Different Surfaces
    • Construction with Wood

    Park & Playground Structures and Materials

    • Components of a Playground
    • Further Design Factors
    • Using Plants in Playgrounds
    • Buildings and Structures; gazebos, outdoor rooms, cubbies, shelters, sheds, belvederes, pergolas etc
    • Planting around a Building
    • Siting of Buildings
    • Building Floors
    • Deciding what building to use
    • Earth Forming, Shaping and Earthmoving Equipment
    • Checklist for Construction Issues to Watch Out For

    Local and Neighborhood Parks

    • Considering Local Needs
    • Fun and Fitness Trails
    • Skateboarding Facilities
    • Multi Purpose Courts
    • Park Interpretive and Environmental Facilities
    • BMX Facilities
    • Motor Vehicles
    • Case Study: Community Play Park

    Community Participation In Park Development

    • History, Attitudes, Philosophy
    • Making a Working Bee Successful
    • Community Gardens

    Special Assignment

    When you have completed the lessons of your Certificate course, you will be given the option of taking the optional exam. It's okay if you don't want the exam, we still issue your Careerline Certificate. For Advanced Certificates however, the exam is compulsory (per module) and are included in the course fee.

    Course Tutor(s)

    Barbara Tremain BSc. (Hons) Horticulture, RHS Adv. Cert,. RHS General, City & Guilds Garden Design, Permaculture Level 3 (UK)

    Barbara brings to Careerline a wide range of horticultural experience and knowledge Barbara has a keen interest in herbalism, edible wild plants and has lead into studies of many plant based complementary medicinal systems, qualification as a Bach Flower remedy practitioner and studying Ethnobotany. Barbara has practiced and studied horticulture as well as combining it with her love of travel in many countries including the UK, US and Australia and has also studied Permaculture and runs her own horticulture business. Within the past two years she have also worked for Groundwork SW with 18-24 year old unemployed people, this work and the mentoring scheme has allowed me to teach informally. It has been a delight to nurture the interests of keen learners in horticulture and garden design. Meanwhile the business has covered a variety of Garden Design projects, from wildflower gardens to seaside situations, and has included some work with Chelsea Gold multi-winner John Moreland.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I pay in installments?

    Yes! We offer great payment plans, however full payment up front is the cheapest. You can choose the best payment plan for you from the course page, or call us on 07 55368782 to talk to one of our course consultants for a custom plan.

    Can I study from anywhere in the world?

    We have many international students. Careerline's range of courses are suitable for any one, anywhere in the world.

    Do I get a discount if I enroll in a second course?

    Yes. You may claim a 5% fee discount when you enroll in a second course, and a further 10% off a three-course package.

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    Do I have to sit an Exam?

    No. If you are enrolled in a Certificate course (100hrs), the exam is optional. You will be issued with a certificate which proves that you are competent in all units, if you choose not to sit the exam.

    Do you have set start dates?

    There are no set start dates, you may start at any time. Our courses are all self-paced. As our home page says, ‘Courses for Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime’. ‘Anytime’ includes the start time of your choice. However, we do encourage our students to submit assignments on a regular basis. Wherever possible, we suggest developing a study routine.