Direct Answer
Choose a playground designer who understands both children AND compliance. The best designers combine early childhood expertise with technical knowledge of Australian Standards, regulatory requirements, and construction realities. Look for demonstrated experience in your sector, alignment with your play philosophy, and a collaborative approach to the design process.
What to Look For in a Playground Designer
1. Sector-Specific Experience
Playgrounds for childcare centres are very different from school playgrounds, which are different from public parks. Your designer should have experience in your specific sector:
- Childcare centres: Understanding of NQF requirements, age-appropriate design for 0-5, educator sightlines, licensing requirements
- Schools: Playground zoning for different age groups, high-traffic durability, after-hours community use considerations
- Community spaces: Universal design, vandal-resistance, maintenance requirements
2. Compliance Knowledge
A playground designer must understand and work within Australian regulatory frameworks:
Essential Knowledge Areas
- AS 4685 (Playground Equipment Standards)
- AS 4422 (Playground Surfacing)
- NQF/NQS requirements for childcare
- Local council development requirements
- Building codes and accessibility standards
3. Design Philosophy Alignment
Playground designers have different philosophies. Some prioritise equipment catalogs; others focus on nature-based design. Some emphasise risk elimination; others embrace appropriate challenge. Ask about their approach:
- How do they balance safety with developmentally appropriate challenge?
- What role does nature play in their designs?
- How do they think about open-ended vs prescribed play?
- What's their view on loose parts and manipulable elements?
There's no "right" answer—but their philosophy should align with yours.
4. Portfolio and References
Ask to see completed projects similar to yours. Look for:
- Visual quality: Do their playgrounds look engaging and well-designed?
- Project scale: Have they worked on projects of similar size and budget?
- Setting type: Experience with your specific setting (childcare, school, etc.)
- Client satisfaction: References from centres you can contact
5. Collaborative Process
The best playground designers involve you throughout the process:
- Discovery phase: Understanding your children, your philosophy, your constraints
- Design development: Multiple concepts, feedback loops, refinement
- Educator involvement: Engaging the people who'll use the space daily
- Clear communication: Regular updates, responsive to questions
Questions to Ask Potential Designers
About Their Experience
- "Can you show me examples of childcare/school playgrounds you've designed?"
- "How many projects like ours have you completed?"
- "What's your team's background? Who will work on our project?"
- "Can I speak with references from similar projects?"
About Compliance
- "How do you ensure designs meet AS 4685 and AS 4422?"
- "How do you handle council development applications?"
- "What certification do you provide at completion?"
- "How familiar are you with NQF requirements for outdoor environments?"
About the Process
- "How do you involve educators in the design process?"
- "What's your typical timeline from brief to completion?"
- "What's included in your design fee vs construction?"
- "How do you handle changes or variations during construction?"
About Philosophy
- "How do you approach risk and challenge in play environments?"
- "What role does nature play in your designs?"
- "How do you balance equipment with open-ended play spaces?"
- "How do you think about inclusive design?"
Red Flags to Watch For
Be Cautious If...
- They only show catalog equipment: Without site-specific design thinking
- No compliance discussion: They seem unfamiliar with Australian Standards
- One-size-fits-all approach: They don't ask about your children, philosophy, or needs
- Can't provide references: Or references are outdated or uncontactable
- Price is suspiciously low: May indicate cut corners or hidden costs
- No site visit: Good design requires understanding your specific space
- Vague about what's included: Unclear scope leads to cost surprises
Design-Only vs Design-Build
Some designers only create plans; others offer full design-build services. Each has advantages:
| Aspect | Design-Only | Design-Build |
|---|---|---|
| Control | You manage construction separately | Single point of responsibility |
| Cost clarity | Design fee known; construction varies | Often fixed price for entire project |
| Coordination | You coordinate between parties | Integrated team coordination |
| Design integrity | Risk of design changes in construction | Design intent maintained throughout |
What About Equipment Suppliers?
Many playground equipment companies offer "free design" with equipment purchases. This can work well, but understand the limitations:
- Design may be limited to their product range
- Less likely to recommend custom or natural elements
- "Free" design cost is built into equipment pricing
- May not include full site design (landscaping, surfacing, etc.)
Equipment supplier designs can be excellent—but ensure they're designing for your children, not just selling products.
Key Takeaways
- Choose a designer with experience in your sector (childcare, school, community)
- Compliance knowledge of AS 4685, AS 4422, and NQF is essential
- Philosophy alignment matters—ask about risk, nature, and play approach
- Request a portfolio and references from similar projects
- Look for a collaborative process that involves educators
- Watch for red flags: no site visit, vague scope, can't discuss compliance
- Understand whether you need design-only or design-build services
Want to Discuss Your Project?
We'd love to hear about your playground vision. Book a free discovery call to explore whether Wearthy might be the right fit for your project.
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