Daft question about preschool/playgroup

[Sheeta]

DS is still a little young, but walking into town I noticed a pre-school attached to the local school, so it started me wandering..

I have a few daft questions..
What age can they start playgroup?
How many hours is it usually for?
What sort of costs are involved, and are there vouchers or govt things to help with the cost?

One DS, and he's only 18mo, so being ridiculously premature about this, but hey.. it's a slow day at work

Playgroup is a not for profit group run by play leaders and a few Mum helpers sometimes. It is generally for 2-3 yr olds as a preparation for nursery/pre-school and is one or two 2 hour sessions a week.
It isn't childcare in the way that a nursery is and I do not know that the deal would be with childcare help.

The preschool you have noticed would probably provide the 2.5 hrs free funded care for 3 and 4 year olds. SOme of them offer longer childcare or childcare for younger ones if you can pay/use chhildcare vouchers but you would have to chech out exactly what services they offer.

at the pre-school attached to dd's school they can only start the term after they turn 3 to get the free place (12.5 hours per week). You can also put them in from the age of 3 but would have to pay for the sessions up until the free placement would begin.

Different areas have different policies/age limits though so you would be best to ask at the pre-school/playgroup you were interested in to find out what they offer.

DD never went to pre-school/playgroup until she got her free place at age 3. DS is 2 1/2 and is due to start in January. He is 3 this October so I am considering putting him in for a couple of mornings from then.

thanks very much, i just realised that I (clearly) have no idea how this all works.

No problem!
No need to know how it all works till now.

actually, i wouldn't say you're being premature as depending on how busy the place is that you'd want ds togo to, you may need to get his name down now!

Pre-school(rather than playgroup) is usually starting aged 2(maybe 2 1/2) for 2.5 hours or maybe 3 again depends on the pre-school. Funded sessions atm for 3&4 year olds so until the term after they turn 3 you have to pay.

Our pre-school is £8.50 for 2 1/2 hours

Just to confuse things further, ours is officially a pre-school but more often referred to as a playgroup.

Around here the usual starting age is anytime from the age of 2yrs 6mths.

Each session lasts for 2.5hrs. The younger ones usually start off with 2 sessions a week and the number is increased gradually so that when they are 3yrs old they can attend 5 sessions a week.

3 and 4yr-olds receive 5 free funded sessions a week. Some areas also have pilot schemes where 2yr-olds can receive funding for 2 or 3 sessions a week. I think they're planning to introduce this everywhere at some point but I don't know when.

See, it's different everywhere, so no wonder you are confused!

I would contact the preschool and ask for a prospectus and if you are interested put him on the waiting list (they may ask for a deposit) I am chairperson of a preschool and we were struggling to fit new starters in this year as we were up to our allowed numbers so putting him on the waiting list now wouldnt be a bad thing.

Most preschools run 2.5hour sessions normally every day of the week (mon to fri) I think some do 4 days of 3 hour sessions. Cost can vary between £7 and £11 a session until the term after they are 3 when they get goverment funding for 12.5 hours a week (although in September 2010 this is increasing to 15hours a week)

dd1 has been at preschool since she was 2.5 and she leaves in July and dd2 taking her place (she'll be 2.8, ideally I would have started her this term but they couldnt do the days I was after!) one thing I would say is if you go for a local charity run preschool if you have the time please join the commitee as all preschools that are charities have to have a chair, secretary, treasurer and 2 commitee members to be allowed to open and operate we are lucky that we have a good commitee but many hands make light work!!

DD went to the one attached to the school she now attends. They start at around 3 (DD turned 3 the following week) and it's only for the free childcare. You can't pay for extra and you are expected to put the kids in for every session which here was either 9-11.30 or 12.30-3 in term time. You could choose mornings or afternoons but not mix.

ooh, all brilliant ideas. I will definitely contact the pre-school, it's undoubtedly very popular (many many families near us, all within walking distance of the school).

Would definitely join the committee - intend to get involved in playgroup/school things as DS gets older