Early Childhood Play Areas Safety Inspector Certification Training
Early Childhood Play Areas Safety Inspector Certification Training
$550.00
Targeted towards early childhood professionals, child health and safety consultants, child care facility and safety technicians, training and curriculum specialist, child care administrators, health manager, quality assurance specialists, early childhood technical assistance professionals, health and safety specialists, and others interested in information and best practices to inspect the safety and quality of children’s play spaces.
What you will learn
Learners will gain skills and knowledge required to inspect for safe layout, age-appropriateness, accessibility, durability and structural equipment compliance, maintenance, use zones, fall surfacing materials, and environmental conditions. The overall course objective is to help participants understand quality early childhood playspaces and safe play environments intended for infant, toddlers, and preschoolers.
The virtual training covers information from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Head Start, Early Head Start, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, ASTM International, CSA Z614-20, ADA and other agencies who have been influential in the safety of children’s playspaces.
Cost Includes:
- Certification credential
- Registration fees
- Training course books, field guides, and safety checklists
- Three (3) year Certification credential
- Listing on NPPAS Registry
Training Requirements
Three virtual, synchronous training sessions
Each session will include 90 minutes of live training from a training expert.
Five hours of asynchronous learning,
including readings and guided learning activities.
On-site Safety Assessment
Each participant will be required to complete an on-site safety assessment of an early childhood play area for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers. Each participant will translate the findings from the on-site assessment into a written report.
Successfully pass quizzes and the final exam
Renewing Certification
Certifications are valid for three years. We will honor those who received Early Childhood Outdoor Play Inspector certification and other playground safety inspector certifications for renewal and connect with research experts. Renewing your certification will enable you to update skills, stay informed with current standards, guidelines, and regulations, and connect with experts.
Playground Safety Training Scholarships Available
We have established partners who provide training scholarships for individuals and programs. To learn more about playground safety scholarships, please consider applying for the Donna J. Thompson Playground Safety Charitable Trust.
Certification Transition and Alignment Policy
NPPAS ensures that all inspectors receive current, research‑based training aligned with national safety guidelines and established standards.
Certified or recertified prior to January 1, 2024
Individuals who achieved certification or recertification before 1/1/2024 are eligible to recertify with NPPAS.
Certifications expired prior to December 30, 2023
Individuals whose certification expired before 12/30/2023 are not eligible for recertification unless they have remained professionally active as a playground safety inspector.
Certified with NPPS between December 16, 2023 and June 30, 2026
Individuals certified during this period must email PlaySafe@NPPAS.org with a written statement and submit official proof of certification. All applicants will be reviewed and evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.