difference between nursery and playgroup ?

[fredly]

My dd goes to nursery 3 afternoons/week but I've just learned that there's a playgroup in my village so it's a new option to consider. I've no idea how playgroups work, could someone explain it to me. What are the pros & cons of each ? thanks

They are probably pretty similar; why not just go along to the playgroup & ask them to explain how they are different from the nursery? Playgroups are normally run by volunteers, but are less expensive as a rsult (usually).

...Sorry if that sounds dismissive, but it comes down to whether your child's nursery is attached to a state school, a charity or privately run, all these other specific differences, so you are best off just talking to your local people!

Playschools or Pre schools as they are now, take children form 2.5 to starting school. It is a little less formal than a nursery imo. I think it is a gentle intoduction to earl;y education.
All mine did a year in pre school and a year in a school nursery. any help?
Also parents have a lot of involvement in pre schools

Playgroups are often run by a play leader, with perhaps an assistant and committee of mums. You may be asked to go in and help from time to time as it doesn't usually employ many regular full time assistants in order to keep costs down. They are usually relatively inexpensive and operate in church halls rather than have dedicated premises. There might be a number of activites set out at any one time which the children rotate around, then perhaps a snack, free play, and story/music time.

Check it is Ofsted inspected and visit it to see whether you are happy with the environment, structure and personnel. They should still follow the Early Years Curriculum.

thanks everyone, very helpful. My dd is only 14m so she might be too young, but I'll investigate

fredly just to clarify
A nursery (not a nursery school!) is daycare available usually 8am to 6pm every day, usually for working parents, at a premium price.
A playgroup is for 2.5 yo or sometimes from 2yrs, usually 2.5 hour sessions eg 9.15 to 11.45 or 1-3.15. The cost is low, it is seen as early years education rather than childcare, tho some will do full days for children as they get older.
Personally I think they serve different purposes, nursery is useful if you need childcare, playgroup is good for social interaction and early years education, tho a good daycare nursery should off that too.
But playgroups are often linked to schools and will allow your child to meet others from her peer group pre-school so that's another way they are useful.
HTH

nursery school btw is different again, not everywhere has them but they are usually only iopen to 3 and 4 yos and again offer 2.5 hr sessions, local authority controlled and will have teachers includign a head teacher.
I see our fab nursery school as a progression from the playgroup ds2 currently goes to.

Fredly - still worth looking at it now as they may have a waiting list with siblings of your ds' age already on it. Think entry from 2 1/2 is average (some start sooner, some later) and often ask to be potty trained.

ooh yes fredly, agree with Liz, you may need to put dd's name down now. A lot of LEAs have one intake at school now which means many playgroups only have spaces in September (when kids leave to go to school) so you might want to see about a place for next Sept, evenn if you don't take it up until the spring term.