Playgroups provide care and early years education. Usually, they take children from the term in which their third birthday falls until the term before they start school. As Playgroups look after children under the age of eight, they must by law be registered. Playgroups are regularly inspected by OFSTED, and all staff will have had a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check done. Normally, Playgroups run sessions lasting approximately two and a half hours, during school term times.
For information about choosing childcare, and comprehensive and accurate lists of Playgroups in your area, contact your local Childrens Information Service (CIS), who can also give details of the Nursery Education Grant which may be available to pay for a Playgroup place.
Alternatively, you can use Childcarelink via the Web address shown, or obtain details of your local information service and factsheets on your childcare options from ChildcareLink freephone 08000-96-02-9.

ChildcareLink is supported by the Sure Start Unit, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly as part of their National Childcare Strategies. 

Nationwide


 

www.childcarelink.gov.uk  

Parents / Guardians / Carers looking for childcare 

Contact your local CIS, then contact the Playgroup leader direct 

Check with local CIS and the Playgroup direct 

Not usually provided 

Varies - may be covered by the Nursery Education Grant.