Play is serious business for children. It has a significant impact on learning and development at all ages and stages of childhood. This course is ideal for landscape designers, builders, architects, educational institutions, parents or anyone who wants to create safe and engaging parks or playgrounds for children.
The Certificate of Playground Design is an online program that will provide the knowledge and skills required to design a concept plan for a park or playground.
In this professional development course, you will explore appropriate design characteristics, facility requirements and legal implications of playground design, as well as comparing the suitability of plants, barriers, bollards, fences and walls used in different parks and playgrounds.
You will learn about play theory and how it can be applied to playground design, as well as the costing for construction of a park or playground. You will also learn about the planning processes used for developing designs for public landscapes, including advocacy planning, strategic planning and community participation.
On completion of this course, you will have gained significant knowledge to design and create playgrounds that work in homes, schools, parks or anywhere that children play.
Course Structure
Unit - Playground Design
Unit 1 – Overview of parks and playgrounds
- Playground classification
- Big toy playgrounds
- Environmental playgrounds
- What is a playground?
- Manipulating and changing the environment
- Play forests
- How valuable is a playground?
- Checklist for functional value of a playground design
- Introduction to planning and design
- The site planning process
Unit 2 – Playground philosophy
- Defining the importance of play
- Theories of play
- A modern perspective
- The significance of play
- Playing and the environment
- Establishing an adventure playground
- The adventure play leader
- Site design
Unit 3 – Preparing a concept plan
- Planning for play
- Comprehensive planning
- Structure planning
- General planning theories
- Stages in planning process
- Site analysis
- Project questionnaire
- Concept development
- Final plan preparation
- Design principles
- Creating effects
- Step-by-step design procedure
- Reducing costs
- Playground case study
Unit 4 – Materials
- Choosing materials
- Comparing construction materials
- Barriers and walls
- Surfaces
- Wood in construction
- Checklist for play structures
- Sandpits
- Use of water
Unit 5 – Park and playground structures and facilities
- Social considerations
- Plants
- Park and playground buildings and structures
- Siting garden buildings
- Planting around a garden building
- Deciding what building to use
- Floor options
- Earth forming
- Hiring machinery
- Creating mounds
- Facilities for individuals with impairments
- Special playgrounds
Unit 6 – Local and neighbourhood parks
- Fun and fitness trails
- Skateboarding
- Outdoor multi-purpose courts
- Court elements, specifications and usage
- Park interpretation
- Methods of interpretation
- What can be interpreted
- BMX facilities
- Bicycle paths and tracks
- Motorised vehicles
Unit 7 – Community participant in park development
- Involving the community
- Planning community projects
- Needs assessment process
- Feasibility study
- Nature of community gardens
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no entry requirements or pre-requisites for entry into this program.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Playground Designers
- Landscape Designers
- Educational Institutions
- Architects
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