Pre-schools, also known as play groups or play schools, are for young children to learn and play in small groups, often close to their homes.

They are registered with OFSTED and are inspected within a two year period. Some pre-schools provide free Early education

Most pre-schools open for sessions of around two and a half hours at a time but some are open for the whole day.

Pre-school staff work with the children and parents often help out. They offer a range of fun activities for children and lots of opportunities to learn.

What children get from play groups

Playgroup-aged children are going through a stage of rapid brain and skill development. At playgroup children can:

• develop their skills of cooperation through music, group singing, free play and snack time

• develop verbal and non verbal communication skills through their contact with other children and adults

• develop fine and gross motor skills

• gain better body control, hand to eye coordination, spatial awareness and balance when they play with balls, sand, blocks, puzzles, playdough, paint and paste

• discover shape, size, texture, quantity and consistency when they play with dough and clay

• learn to recognise colours, develop fine motor skills and express emotions by experimenting with paint, collage, chalk, crayons and stamps

• extend their experience of literacy in a social environment.

Why adults go to play groups

Playgroup can be a lifeline to parents with children aged 0-4 years who might not have any other opportunity to get to know local parents going through similar experiences.

These are some of their reasons for attending playgroup.

• "Friendship."

• "The playgroup has been going for years and there's a good supply of toys, play equipment, books and a great outdoor area."

• "It's giving my child some stimulating experiences in a relaxed, informal setting."

• "It opens up the community to you. Before I went to playgroup I had no idea where the best places were to go locally for a good children's doctor or that you could go to the hall down the road for immunisations."

• "I want to meet people who’ve got children the same age as mine."

• "I'm not ready to hand over my child to someone else yet.  I'd rather be there and be involved."

• "It's affordable."

• "I'm an army wife and we move around a bit. Playgroup is more like an extended family or support group to army families."

• "I feel comfortable with the other women at playgroup; it used to be a mother's group. I can say anything to them and still feel I'm okay."

• "I like getting out of the house each week away from the mess."

• "It's good to see how other parents solve problems with their children. We've only got one child but we'd like to have more. There's one woman at playgroup who's got four children. She's a good person to talk to sometimes."

• "This is my fourth child and playgroup is a special time each week I can spend just with her."

• "I'd like my child to get to know some kids he's likely to go to kinder with."

How do I know my child will be safe and secure?

First of all you know your child best - look for a pre-school you feel will suit your child. A leaflet is available titled "Choosing a Pre-School Playgroup" from the ChildcareLink web site which is the national Children's Information Service web site.

Registration and inspection of pre-schools is arranged by Ofsted. This means checks are carried out within a two year period to ensure that the pre-school staff are suitable to look after children. At least half the staff must be trained to work with children. If the playgroup is providing early education it will also be inspected by Ofsted.

A check on the pre-school premises is carried out to make sure the building is safe and suitable for children. Once the pre-school is registered, every year an inspection is carried out to make sure the pre-school is continuing to provide a safe and suitable service.

There should be a set number of staff to work with the children. It is recommended that there is one member of staff for every eight children aged three to five and one adult for every four children aged two to three. However there will often be more adults if parents help out.

You can ask to see the pre-school’s registration and inspection certificate.