ONLINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES —
Elementary School Outdoor Play Inspectors Program

Here's what people are saying about this course...

"The playground is one area that is overlooked in many districts. I would like to see all teachers and administators participate in your course. :)" - Robert H.

"This course has made me aware of safety issues with playgrounds. I will use information to complete an audit of all district playgrounds. I then plan to submit my findings to the school board and hopefully they will approve funding for repairs and updated equipment where needed. *After completing my audit and presentation to the school board the board approved $400,000.00 for playground improvements and repairs, including installing ADA compliant ramps on ALL district playgrounds!" - J. Marion S.

 

 

A Certified “SCHOOL OUTDOOR PLAY INSPECTOR” means

As a certified School Outdoor Play Inspector (SOPI), you should be able to determine whether or not the school outdoor play spaces have been designed and maintained for the safety of children.  The criteria for which, are learned in an online course that sets forth information from the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Association for Youth Sports (NAYS), National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF), and the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS).

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

School playground inspectors should have an understanding of all the guidelines and standards necessary to inspect elementary school’s outdoor play areas for safety.  NPPS understands that achieving the School Outdoor Play Inspector Certification does not make one an automatic expert in the inspection process of an outdoor play environment in the school district setting.  However, by providing a framework, based on national standards and guidelines by which an individual can gain the knowledge and specific competencies necessary to conduct an inspection of a school outdoor play environment, NPPS is providing the opportunity to produce experts in this area where none exist.  The knowledge and skills that are gathered in this course, through independent study of course materials, and by an inspection field assignment will help create an experience level necessary to be considered a Certified School Outdoor Play Inspector.

GOALS

Specifically, participants will

  1. Learn how to inspect the physical layout of the outdoor play environment.  This includes understanding how the area should be arranged, types of physical and environmental hazards that may be present, and regulations regarding sports fields, playground equipment, and fencing.
  2. Learn how to inspect the area for good sight supervision.  Assessment of supervision includes examining blind spots and other physical elements that can inhibit supervision.
  3. Learn how to inspect for age appropriate design. Inspection of age appropriateness includes determining if appropriate equipment is present and if areas are separated properly.
  4. Learn how to inspect for ADA compliance.  All existing play areas must provide opportunities for children to get from the school building to play area and be able to interact with other children.
  5. Learn how to inspect the surface materials of a play area.  Inspection of surfacing materials includes inspecting the composition of the material, height of equipment, depth of material, use zones, and maintenance.
  6. Learn how to inspect common play components that are typically found on school’s play environments.  Inspection of each play component includes examining head entrapments, protrusions, entanglements, sharp points, pinch, crush, and shearing points.
  7. Learn how to inspect the school grounds.  This includes understanding how the area should be arranged, types of physical and environmental hazards that may be present, and regulations regarding athletic fields, playground equipment, fitness equipment, asphalt areas, and outdoor classrooms.

Continuation of Certification

If you pass the examination you will be awarded the title as a Certified School Outdoor Play Inspector.  Individuals who pass the examination will be mailed a certificate from NPPS approximately four weeks after the exam and assignment are graded.

Your certification is valid for three years.  Expiration dates are dated the first of the month following the month that the exam was taken; plus three years.  For example, if you passed the course on October 15, 2010, your expiration date for your Certification would be November 1, 2013.  To continue your certification you must pass a recertification examination every three years offered by the NPPS. 

If you pass the examination you are eligible to be on the list of state registered individuals provided by NPPS.  This option provides for the individual to be referenced and contacted by school districts that are in need of an outdoor play environment inspection within your district.  NPPS will list these registered individuals on the NPPS website. Listing of the individuals is at the discretion of those who wish to be listed.  Names appearing on the list merely indicate an individual who has passed the certification requirements and does not imply an endorsement of their services.

CLOCK HOURS

The course has a total of 12 clock hours. You will receive 1.2 CEUs

COST

The cost of this course is $495. This includes

  • Course
  • Certification
  • CEUs
  • National Registry List (determined upon if pass course)
  • Course Materials
    • NPPS's School Assessment Manual & worksheets
    • S.A.F.E. Play Areas: Creation, Maintenance, and Renovation textbook

 

CLASS SESSIONS PAYMENT DUE
September 7- October 1, 2010 August 26, 2010
October 18- November 12, 2010 October 6, 2010
January 24- February 20, 2011 January 12, 2011
March 28- April 24, 2011 March 16, 2011

 

*Once it is past the PAYMENT DUE date, there is a fee for late registration.

Registration Form