Playgroup/Pre-school

[TrixieVix]

How old are LO's when they go to playgroup? What is the difference between playgroup and pre-school? How do I find out what's available in my area? What do they do when they're there? Does is cost?

Many thanks in advance.

[LucyJones]

Playgroup starts at 2 and a half and you pay until a term before your child starts school I think
it is £6.50 an hour where I live

preschool is attached to the school you hope your child will go to. Might not start until child is 3 and eligible for the 2 and a hlaf hour free sessions a day

[IdrisTheDragon]

If you go to the Childcare Link you can put in your postcode and find out what there is in your area.

Generally playgroup involves children playing where their caregivers are there as well and pre-school doesn't. Some pre-schools are connected to an infant school, some are in village halls. A private nursery will generally have a pre-school section.

Children start going to them at different times - DD is about to start at 2.5 in our village pre-school but some will be from 2. There is no need for your child to go .

Sessions are generally 2.5 hours long. You will pay until the term after your child is 3, when you are entitled to 5 2.5 hours sessions free.

They do all sorts of things - the main thing I think is learning to get along with other people .

[IdrisTheDragon]

Yours sounds quite expensive LucyJones - or is that for a session? Ours is £7.50 a session (if you are paying).

[MumRum]

I think differed areas call things different thing... in Berkshire we call
toddler group babies to school age, where parents stay
pre-school/playschool these are the same thing.. from age 2 and a half to school age... funding (free) from the term after they are 3. two and a half hours a day, run by a committee,
nursery run by local council, 2 and a half hours a day, the children go from the term after they are 3 for free
day nursery from birth... to school age... if I'm honest don't know much about this as we never used one.....

[JingleyJen]

our playgroup is from aged 2 with the parents attending and 2 and a half on their own for 2.5 hour sessions. £6.00 per session.

our pre-school group is attached to the primary school and it is from the term after they are three and it is fully funded.

nurserys in this area are private childcare that take children from babies to school age. full or half days.

[mumfor1standfinaltime]

You can find local playschools from your local council or just phone your local school for advice.
Our playschool just let us pop in and have a look around.
Ds went to playchool at age 2.5 and it was £4.50 a session(2.5hours), price has since gone up to £5.50 a session. He plays with toys, paints, does playdoh, sings songs and lots more! His speech has improved a lot since he has started going too.
Now he is 3 the sessions will be free when he goes back after Easter break.

[MumRum]

its interesting to see how they are called different things in different areas....

the website was good IdrisTheDragon..