Ive missed the boat with Primary School attached Nurseries, what should i look for in a PLAYGROUP?????

[VVVQV]

I have visited two today - both funded places (although one is more than the grant so i would have to subsidise).

My (terribly naive) view is that as long as DD is happy, I/DD likes the people that work there, and its clean and safe then thats fine.

Dont have a clue about foundation stages/curriculums....is it really really important to look at this too? Or is it only really necessary when looking at Primary School/Reception places?

Personally I wouldn't worry about those either vvv - and don't get too hung up on how shabby/new the premises are IME either.I would look at how the staff interact with the children, whether they seem to have them "under control" and well supervised, a varied amount of activities on offer, and a willingness to accommodate any special requirements (from dealing with allergies to phobias to providing pencils and paper for those who want to write). The last thing may seem an odd thing to mention but I withdrew my dd1 from a nursery attached to the local school because they wouldn't allow her to do any writing (it's what she wanted to do!!). Staff should also know the children individually (within reason) and know/understand their personalities. HTH.

Meant to say - that is not a naive view IMO! Nursery to me is about learning to share, taking turns, following routine, being in a large group of people, developing independence etc etc - all the "curriculum" goals are secondary to these important life skills (and I used to work in a nursery)

Hmmm - in which case, you have helped me make up my mind Miaou! Thank you.

The first place i saw was in a sports pavillion. (Bit stuffy (sweaty sportsmen at the weekend lol but in the grounds of a old stately home and in the middle of a field basically and well away from traffic etc)

The children seemed happy and well behaved. There were lots of activities including a table where they could do numbers or writing if they wanted to. Then at "circle" time they all just wandered over to the corner happily and quietly after helping to tidy up (actually someething my DD loves to do....)

She gave me some forms - including one with personal information on so that if the child is upset in your absence they have some background (pet/sibling names/likes/dislikes etc) to help try and comfort them.

I really liked the people i saw there. They were all lovely adn came over and spoke to my DD AND my DS who was toddling around.

The second place i saw was in a scout hut in a side street closer to town (and marginally closer to me). Nowhere to park and close to a school so probably manic in the morning.

It was a bigger playgroup and they did more activities (sports day, visit to a farm soon etc). But, from what i saw there was just lots of children being boisterous and running around. There were various activities but it didnt seem interesting to me (although DD did LOVE the water play table).

She mentioned stuff about the foundation stages etc (I dont know much about this).

I also didnt like the idea that all the children have a packed lunch that they bring in. (DD has a nut allergy and cant be so well monitored this way - IMO)

Hmm - definitely going for the first one.

Glad to be of help vvv

Agree totally with miaou. Looks like you had the same experience as me when looking for a playgroup except the one which was calmer, happier and welcoming with lovely, committed staff, in our case, was in a local scout hut. The noisy, boistrous, unwelcoming and imo badly run one one was in a local church hall.

Needless to say we chose the scout hut one and ds2 will be starting there in September. Ds1 and dd were both extremely happy, settled and well cared for there. Definitely go with your instincts.

Meant to add the straw that broke the camel's back for me at the other playgroup was when I pointed out that they kept spelling dd1's name wrong and they just said "Oh, we had a girl last year who spelt it that way..."