Announcement
NPPAS is an independent organization and is not the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS). The National Program for Playground Safety at the University of Northern Iowa has announced its permanent closure. While the similarity in names may cause confusion, this closure does not affect the ongoing work of NPPAS.
NPPAS continues its mission with the same commitment to research, national standards, training, and children’s outdoor safety that has guided this field for decades. Our work remains active and focused on supporting agencies and communities.
We invite you to explore our updated website, now a central hub for research, resources, and training. As a premier nonprofit program dedicated to advancing the science of SAFE play environments, we hope you’ll find information that strengthens the important work your agency leads.
Research
Our program has a collection of 150 years of topical expertise, research, public speaking, training, and certification programs. Receive the latest research and information for your playgrounds from NPPAS.
Get Certified
Learn comprehensive safety guidelines, standards, regulations, and best practices for play areas for children of all age groups through training, certification, and recertification.
Renew NPPS Certification
NPPS certification and recertification courses are currently closed. Anyone who was certified by NPPS is eligible to be recertified by NPPAS.
New Release!
Create play spaces that welcome children in every space.
This guide delivers 60 pages of expert strategies to help community members, child care and school managers, municipalities and parks, planners, designers, build play spaces for children that stay cool, safe, and ready for action.
NPPAS collaborates with Children Safety Network
WHY NPPAS?
OUR MISSION
The National Program for Play Area Safety mission is to expand on the 30-year initiative to help communities and organizations ensure safe and quality play areas and playgrounds for all children.
WE DO THIS THROUGH
Promoting the best practices based on cutting-edge research, guidelines, and standards.
Consulting and collaborating with agencies and organizations at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Undertaking a rigorous program of research about playground injuries, safety, injury prevention, playground hazards, thermal safety, and supervision.
Providing quality research-based certification programs in the areas for Early Childhood, Elementary Schools, Before-After School-Age Care Programs, and Community Park Programs.
Does Your Playground Make the Grade?
Having a safe playground is one of the most important things to consider when you are charged with the care of children. We have developed a comprehensive report card that you or your organization can use to assess the overall safety of the playground. You can download a free copy of the report card to see where your playground ranks.