PPP3

PARS Playwork Practice Level 3 -
for advanced practitioners

PARS is a tried-and-tested model of playwork practice for professionals working with children in their leisure time. PARS playwork practice is used anywhere children spend their free time: hospitals, religious provision, summer camps, children’s museums, adventure playgrounds, childcare settings, schools, play programmes, social work settings, homes, zoos...and many more!

PPP3 is our advanced PARS practitioner programme, suitable for experienced practitioners working in any setting where children spend their free time. PPP3 is an in-depth exploration of how you can use the PARS model to evaluate and develop your playwork practice.

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Course Details

This PPP3 course is delivered online in two hour sessions over eight weeks.

 Dates

Wednesdays 15th April - 10th June 2026

 Session Times

7.30-9.30pm UK

 Live Teaching

18 hours

 Total Qualification Time

60 hours

What is involved in your PPP3 programme?

Teaching

Your PARS programme will be taught live by a PPP4 qualified PARS Licensed Trainer. All PARS courses are interactive with plenty of time for discussion and learning from other participants. The course materials are provided online and include handouts and two course handbooks which you will use to help you complete your assessments.

Practice

During the course you will be asked to try out some of the PARS model whilst working with children. Real-world case studies, discussions and assessments will enable you to put PARS into practice wherever you work in children's leisure time. You will not be assessed in your workplace.


Assessment

PARS is an NCFE International Award Centre. Your assessments are completed online through short assignments. You will receive feedback from your dedicated PARS assessor and supported throughout the assessment process. Please note that there is a substantial amount of reading and writing for this course.
Get pars playwork qualified

PPP3 or PPP2?

Experienced practitioners can join PPP3 without any previous PARS training. PPP3 involves a substantial amount of reading and assignments (online) and requires good study skills.
Compare the two courses in the section below and see which level is right for you.
Anybody who wants to take part in PPP4 and become a PARS Licensed Trainer must complete PPP3 first.

PPP2: Beginner Level

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PPP2 is an introductory qualification for individuals working with children during their leisure time. Parents can also join PPP2 courses! 

  • Aim of PPP2

    By the end of the PPP2 course, participants should be able to begin to apply the PARS model in their settings and to describe their PARS playwork practice to other adults.

  • Who is it for?

    PPP2 is suitable for any adults who work with or care for children. 

  • Course content                                                
    PPP2 introduces the basics of the PARS model of playwork practice, so that participants can begin to use the PARS practice with children at work and at home and to explain it to other adults! 
     

  • Assessment and study                                            

    12 hours teaching + 13 hours private study. Participants complete short online assignments and multiple-choice tests to demonstrate their understanding and application of the PARS model.

  • Certification

    Participants who pass the PPP2 assessments will receive a certificate from NCFE, one of the UK's leading Awarding Bodies. 

PPP3: Advanced Practitioner Level

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PPP3 provides an in-depth exploration of the PARS model to enable experienced practitioners to develop and evaluate their PARS playwork practice. 

  • Aim of PPP3

    By the end of the PPP3 course, participants should be able to articulate, develop and evaluate their PARS playwork practice.

  • Who is it for?

    Experienced practitioners currently working with children with good study skills (please note that there is a substantial amount of reading and assessment work for PPP3). 

  • Course Content                                                
    PPP3 involves an in-depth exploration of all of the theories, methods and techniques included in the PARS model of playwork practice and its underpinning philosophy. A detailed examination of how the PARS model of playwork practice was constructed and works in practice.

  • Assessment and study                                            
    18 hours teaching + 42 hours private study.

    Participants complete written online assessments (200 - 500 words each) that demonstrate their ability to put PARS playwork into practice and to evaluate their PARS practice.

  • Certification

    Participants who pass the PPP3 assessments will receive a certificate from NCFE, one of the UK's leading Awarding Bodies. 
In this great journey, I found challenges that reshaped my perspective and gained valuable knowledge and skills that will enhance my interactions with children in both my professional and personal endeavors.

Sarah Aweida, Qatar

I now have a whole new vocabulary and understanding to what I do, and I am able to confidently use this in action.

Kelly Wicks, UK

I've learned so much from the theories and techniques taught during the course, and with the added insights and perspectives from fellow professionals, I'm even more inspired and excited to apply what l've gained into my work.

Rheginna Alba, The Philipinnes

Meet YOUr PARS LICENSED trainer

Rachel Zetland (France)

Rachel is a PPP4 qualified PARS Licensed Trainer and has been involved in playwork and playwork training since 2015 with the French free play association, Jouer pour Vivre, amongst others. A forest school leader running sessions and training professionals in urban and nature environments, Rachel has been working with early years, in schools and leisure centres for 3-12 year olds, as well as with teens and young adults.   
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Frequently asked questions

Do I have to attend previous PARS training before I join PPP3?

There is no requirement to complete any other PARS training before taking part in PPP3. However, if you are interested in taking PPP4 (and becoming a PARS Licensed Trainer), then you must complete PPP3 first.

Will I need to do homework on PPP3?

Yes, afraid so! PPP3 is a NCFE accredited Customised Qualification, so all participants need to do weekly assignments during the course to demonstrate how they can put PARS playwork into practice when working with children. These assignments are assessed by our Assessment Team who will give feedback on each assignment. 

How long does PPP3 take?

PPP3 is taught online over 8 weeks in two hour sessions. In addition there are another 60 TQT (Total Qualification Time) hours in which you will need to do private study, apply PARS in your settings and complete your assessments.

What does the course cost cover?

The total cost of this course includes all teaching, assessment, learning resources and certification from NCFE.

How long does my PPP3 Customised Qualification last?

Technically there is no expiry date for your NCFE certificate. However, we strongly encourage you to continuously develop your PARS playwork practice and you can find plenty of opportunities to do so here!

Our international PARS community

PARS Licensed Trainers

PARS trainees worldwide

different countries

PARS practitioners belong to the international PARS community, with lots of opportunities to connect with like-minded people around the world. There is also a free CPD programme for those who complete a PARS Customised Qualification.

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