PARS FOR PROFESSIONALS

Learn a new evidence-based practice to free up time and space for children to be children!


  • Want to give children more freedom but are not sure how it can work in your setting?
  • Fed up with programming and planning but not sure what the alternative looks like?
  • Confused about when to step back or step in?
  • Want to support more risk in children's play but don't feel quite brave enough?
  • Worried about what others might think if it looks like you're doing nothing whilst children have fun?

Become a PARS practitioner! 

Let children be children!

Join our international community of PARS practitioners

PARS practitioners work with children in all sorts of projects, including zoos, adventure playgrounds, faith-based projects, schools, hospitals, daycare, prisons, environmental projects, playschemes, museums and many, many more.
Wherever we work and whatever our job titles, we all share a common vision of a world where all adults value childhood and empower children to be children. 

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Let children be children

  • Learn how to support fun and freedom for children in their leisure time.
  • Find a balance between freedom and chaos: decide when to step in and step back with PARS.
  • Make consistent decisions about risk in children's play using PARS methods and techniques. 

Define your professional approach

  • Learn a new technical language to describe your practice. 
  • Describe your practice to other adults with confidence!
  • Gain a NCFE certificate to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.

Relax and have fun
at work

  • Adults who use PARS playwork practice at work tell us they are happier in their jobs.
  • Children say that they have more fun too when adults are using PARS!
  • Research* has found that when adults use PARS practice, children benefit from increased social and emotional development and emotional resilience. 

Our staff now have a model of professional practice which enables them to leave children to their own devices and explain how and why they are doing this to sceptical adults! The kids have noticed a big difference and seem much happier as a result.

Dee Dogar, Child’s Play, Canada

I really enjoyed the PARS course. I am now able to stand back and watch the children interact with each other and just let them explore their surroundings

Kerry Zammit, UK

The PPP2 class has shown me that although I thought I was helping children's play, often I was interfering unnecessarily. I now have new ways of thinking about children's play that help me pause, watch, listen, and respond to what they want, rather than what I think will help them.

Dr Hannah Smith Brennan, USA

We now have a model which helps us to describe our practice in a professional way without having to resort to programming activities to demonstrate that we are professionals who know what we are doing.

Adam Smart, SmartKidz, UK

One immeasurable benefit of PARS is now having the language to engage with, both in self-reflection and in conversation with other practitioners and stakeholders. It means that we can now discuss what we think is happening for the children and what we think we can do to enhance (or meaningfully not ruin) what is happening, and to start to work on a collective understanding of our practice as a service.

Amy Blane, Australia

Gain a PARS qualification

Online and in-person accredited programmes for adults who work with children, delivered by local PARS Licensed Trainers around the world.

Learn how to use the PARS model to free up time and space for children to be children in your setting and to explain the benefits of your PARS practice to other adults.

Common Threads is an NCFE International Award Centre and our PPP2, PPP3 and PPP4 programmes have been accredited by NCFE as Customised Qualifications.

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PPP1

Introducing
PARS

Find out what PARS practice is all about and how it's used around the world.
(not accredited)

PPP2

PARS Beginner

Begin to use parts of the PARS model to let children be children at home and at work. 

PPP3

PARS ADVANCED PRACTITIONER
Learn how to put the whole of the PARS model into practice and master a new technical language to explain your practice to others.

(required to become a PARS Assessor)

PPP4

PARS Expert

Develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of PARS. 
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(required to become a PARS Licensed Trainer or Internal Verifier)

Begin your PARS qualifications at either Level 2 or Level 3.
Choose the right level for you from the information below.

PPP2: Beginner Level

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  • Aim of PPP2: By the end of the PPP2 course, you should be able to begin to apply the PARS model and to describe your PARS 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, so that you can begin to use the PARS practice with children and to explain it to other adults! 

  • Assessment and study                                            

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

  • Certification

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

PPP3: Advanced Practitioner 

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  • Aim of PPP3: By the end of the PPP3 course, you should be able to articulate, develop and evaluate your PARS practice.

  • Who is it for?

    Experienced practitioners currently working with children, with good study skills (there is a substantial amount of reading and assessment). 

  • Course Content                                                
    PPP3 involves an in-depth exploration of all of the theories, methods and techniques included in the PARS model and its underpinning philosophy. 

  • Assessment and study                                            
    18 hours teaching + 42 hours private study. You complete written online assessments (200-500 words each) to show how you put PARS into practice and to evaluate your PARS practice.

  • Certification

    If you pass the PPP3 assessments, receive a certificate from NCFE, one of the UK's leading Awarding Bodies. 

Our PPP2 programmes are taught by PPP4 qualified PARS Licensed Trainers who have experience of using PARS in your settings. At PPP3 and PPP4 you will learn with practitioners from a range of different settings around the world.

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Find the right PARS course for you!

24

Countries/regions

27

PARS Trainers

5

 languages 

PARS - evidence based practice 

PARS has been published in international academic and practitioner literature and policy guidance in several different languages. 

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