What happened to ‘playschool’?

[Granolaandcoconut]

When I was small (I was born in late 80s) my mum used to drop me off at playschool, which was in a church hall, run by other mums, I think there was a retired teacher there too, but they were all working on a voluntary basis. I doubt any were DBS checked!
I was dropped off in the morning and picked up about lunchtime.
I guess it was a cross between playgroup and nursery, because our mums and dads didn’t stay with us.
As far as I’m aware, there isn’t such a thing anymore?
Does anyone else remember these and wonder why they’re not around any longer.

We’ve got a few near us.

@RosmertasMead oh really? I wish there was one here, it would be ideal for my 3 year old.

Yep I remember this too!
In my area it's more of a stay and play in the church halls.
We have preschools attached to some primary schools where the parents don't stay

I can think of a couple. Morning sessions in a church hall. Though they call themselves nurseries.

Ahh I remember playschool!!! Wow. I can almost smell the tubs of paint!

Ours was in some kind of 'mobile'

It is a shame they aren't popular these days.

We are rural Scotland. They go to play school at 2. 2 hours a week, drop and leave. Now in the school because the church hall closed. Volunteers and a retired teacher. Then they go to school nursery at 3, or private but there isn't any of those within the hour.

Yes I remember these. If I remember rightly though, they didn’t really provide full childcare, they would be quite limited hours and usually term time only. I think nowadays with it being more common for both parents to work, sometimes long hours, nurseries and childminders are favoured because they can provide full day childcare.

There's a few around here, Cylch Meithrin sessions (I'm in Wales).

We still have one! My toddler goes. 9-12, costs £12 a session. It’s brilliant. It’s called a pre school though. Kids can be dropped off from 2 years old.

I thought playschool was just another name for nursery.

I want to play school in the 70,s I can't remember if it was daily, Nursery's attached to schools were not a thing then, well not where I lived anyway.

I remember play school too! I'm guessing because more children go to nursery younger now there's less need for them.

I went to one (born early 80s). You joined at about 2-2.5 (but had to be potty trained) and typically did maybe two mornings a week. The year before you joined primary school, you left to go to nursery school for a year so it was mainly for 2-3 year olds.
It was just a couple of hours of singing in a circle, stories and some free play (painting / playdoh / ride on toys etc). Ours was in the village hall and everything had to be packed into cupboards at the end of each session as other users accessed the hall when we weren't there.

I suppose they died a death as a) more Mums go to work so need childcare for longer than a couple of hours whilst they nip to the shops and b) everything is much more regulated (Ofsted / DBS / insurance etc.) making it difficult to run with volunteers and be economical.

My children went to a nursery that was more like a preschool. Sessions ran from 9-12 or 1-3 (you could stay for both and bring a packed lunch bit generally only the oldest children due to start school soon did this). You could only join at 2.5years so no babies or young toddlers.

@careerchangeperhaps

I went to one (born early 80s). You joined at about 2-2.5 (but had to be potty trained) and typically did maybe two mornings a week. The year before you joined primary school, you left to go to nursery school for a year so it was mainly for 2-3 year olds. It was just a couple of hours of singing in a circle, stories and some free play (painting / playdoh / ride on toys etc). Ours was in the village hall and everything had to be packed into cupboards at the end of each session as other users accessed the hall when we weren't there.

I suppose they died a death as a) more Mums go to work so need childcare for longer than a couple of hours whilst they nip to the shops and b) everything is much more regulated (Ofsted / DBS / insurance etc.) making it difficult to run with volunteers and be economical.

My children went to a nursery that was more like a preschool. Sessions ran from 9-12 or 1-3 (you could stay for both and bring a packed lunch bit generally only the oldest children due to start school soon did this). You could only join at 2.5years so no babies or young toddlers.

They haven’t died a death though as lots of areas still have them. I live in a small town and we have 2.

I went to one as well, so did all my friends. Ours was in the local community centre, but most of them seem to be on school sites now instead and are part of the wrap around care service. Or at least they are here anyway.

I remember these! So wish they were still a thing.

@Granolaandcoconut

When I was small (I was born in late 80s) my mum used to drop me off at playschool, which was in a church hall, run by other mums, I think there was a retired teacher there too, but they were all working on a voluntary basis. I doubt any were DBS checked! I was dropped off in the morning and picked up about lunchtime. I guess it was a cross between playgroup and nursery, because our mums and dads didn’t stay with us. As far as I’m aware, there isn’t such a thing anymore? Does anyone else remember these and wonder why they’re not around any longer.

I think it stopped when they had to be Ofsted registered and free places were available. they had to become more formalised in the way they were run. This wouldn't apply to the kind of group where parents stay with their child.

I was a teacher in a school Nursery class when these changes happened. Prior to this children went to 'playschool/group' then school nursery. The playgroup nearest to us then set itself up as a rival - I'm not saying this was happening generally but there were some very dirty tricks played by these people (long story involving former school governors and not really relevant to the thread).

We had one here until last year. I think a combination of high rental prices these days and the fact they were volunteering. More mums these days are working as opposed to my early years, so there didn’t seem to be a pool of volunteers to continue it on…

Exactly the same. 1980s, parish centre attached to the local church. Went Tuesday and Friday mornings for the year before starting school. Loads of toys, painting and singing.

I took my son to one in 1993. I do remember them saying Ofsted rules meant they had to close. It was a real shame as it was so well run and I still have my sons notes from them. So must have been around early 90s perhaps. We took turns to help out.

My mum was involved in the play school / play group movement in the 1970s and early 80s. It was set up after a mum objected to the lack of quality nursery provision in her area, and ended up with the formation of the Preschool Playgroups Association which is now the Early Years Alliance. It was very community led but it was also very based on ideas and knowledge of child development, early learning etc.
I associate it with The Guardian and Family Circle magazine (because those are what mum used to read) rusks made out of bread that mum used to bake in the oven, and Tupperware containers full of salty play dough she used to make. www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/here-s-early-years-pre-school-learning-alliance-s-playgroups-are-facing-uncertain-future-2161653.html

Search preschools in your area. My son goes to one that is mornings in term time only. It's lovely and he really enjoys it.

There's a few in central Scotland, they're called Play Groups. Great for SAHM's who don't want the 30hrs nursery place.

Aren't these just called pre schools now? Run 9 til 12 then 12.30 til 3 for afternoon session. Many allow them to stay 9 to 3. Term time only and often running in village halls.

They aren't run by mums now though but early years staff with the level 2 or level 3 qualification and fully DBS checked

I went to one. It still exists. The staff were paid though (although they were Mums). Its now the 'school nursery' and offers the free 15hrs.

DDs went to a community preschool... common on army camps. Cheap because the army doesn't charge them rent.