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PARS for Australian educators

Why does PARS playwork work in OOSH services?

Read how PARS playwork practice
translates beautifully into OOSH settings
"Educators in school age care services in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia have been involved in the PARS professional development program. The PARS training has fully aligned with the principles and practices in the Australian Framework. ‘My Time, Our Place’ has five outcomes for children, which include children’s sense of identity, confidence and well-being, their connection and contribution to their world and their capacity to learn. The OSHC services have noted that the impact and relevance of the PARS professional development program is exceptional for its capacity to upskill educators who work with school age children in after school programs. "

Associate Professor Jennifer Cartmel, Chief Investigator, My Time Our Place

I was able to do a presentation of some of what I learned through the PARS course at our monthly P & C meeting. It was super exciting and I received great feedback from being able to explain not just how, but also why we are choosing to practice in this way. For some, it changed the way they looked at what we did and it brought a few more enrolments too!  
Susie Berkhut, Queensland, Australia
I loved participating in the PARS training. It was a fantastic introduction to playwork; providing great tools to help in our important work with children. It translates beautifully to the Outside School Hours context in Australia.
Rarni Rothwell, Brisbane, Australia
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, Queensland, Australia

Discover a new blueprint to describe your role 

Unsure about what being an Educator actually means in practice? Learn how PARS playwork practice provides a blueprint for your professional identity in OOSH services.

Aligns beautifully with MTOP

With playwork now featuring in the new MTOP, now is the time to learn how PARS playwork practice can help you to find that crucial balance between freedom and regulation!

Learn a new approach to ensure that children love their time in OSHC!

Children and Educators tell us that they have more fun when the adults use PARS! Find out how the PARS model helps you to achieve more for children whilst actually doing less.

Internationally accredited certification

Playwork is still relatively new in Australia, but don't worry, you won't be lonely! Qualified PARS practitioners belong to the international PARS community, with lots of opportunities to network, meet and even work with like-minded people from 17 different countries (and counting!).
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Begin your PARS journey now!

New PARS practitioners often tell us that PARS 'just feels right' and want to get more involved. If you already know that PARS playwork is for you, find out how to gain your PARS playwork qualifications. 

PARS Licensed Trainers

PARS trainees worldwide

different countries
now have qualified PARS practitioners
Meet your local trainer

Polly Howard (Australia)

Polly has been a Director of a large OOSH service in NSW for over 10 years and has recently had her whole team trained in PARS (funded by the NSW government) to ensure consistency across her service. Polly joined the PARS Licenced Training Team in 2023 and is a PPP4 qualified PARS Licensed Trainer. 
Patrick Jones - Course author