Frequently Asked Questions

(Pre-school (playgroup) childcare)

The list below provides answers to the most common questions of parents and carers looking for pre-school care:

• How do I know my child will be safe and secure?
• What will my child do at pre-school?
• How many children will there be in the pre-school?
• What is the age range of children in a pre-school?
• When are pre-schools open?
• What about full-time childcare?
• How much does a pre-school cost?
• Can you help me to choose a good pre-school?

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

First of all - you know your child best, so look for a pre-school that you feel is suitable for your child.

If you'd like more help in making this decision, visit the Advice on Pre-school (playgroup) choice page.

Pre-schools must be registered with OFSTED (Children Services) before they can begin to work with children. You should ask to see their certificate of registration as this will tell you the ages and number of children they can care for and their approved hours of opening.

Registration ensures that checks are carried out to make sure that pre-school staff are suitable to look after children. At least half of the staff in a pre-school must be trained and possess a childcare qualification.

A check on the pre-school premises is carried out as well to make sure that it is a safe and suitable environment for children. After the pre-school is registered, every year an inspection is carried out to make sure that it is continuing to provide a safe and suitable service.

There should be a set number of staff at each pre-school to work with the children: You should find one member of staff to every eight children aged three to five years, and one adult for every four children aged two to three years of age. In practise, there will often be more adults present, especially if parents help out.

Read about the National Standards childminders are expected to meet - please note that this is a large pdf file (253 kb.)

If you'd like to search to find pre-school services in your area, visit the Childcarelink site and follow the simple instructions.

What will my child do at pre-school?

At pre-school children will be offered a range of stimulating activities, following the curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage. Children will be encouraged to gain independence, learn social skills, make friends, express themselves creatively and develop an understanding in early reading and writing concepts. Children are offered these experiences through carefully constructed play.

If you'd like to search to find pre-school services in your area, visit the Childcarelink site and follow the simple instructions.

How many children will there be in the pre-school?

Most pre-schools will provide places for between 10 and 35 children. The number they are permitted to take will be on their registration certificate.

In large Pre-schools the children will be put into smaller groups for some of the activities.

If you'd like to search to find pre-school services in your area, visit the Childcarelink site and follow the simple instructions.

What is the age range of children in a pre-school?

Children in pre-schools are usually between three and five years of age, but there are often places for two and half year olds as well. The age range of the children they can take will be on their registration certificate.

If you'd like to search to find pre-school services in your area, visit the Childcarelink site and follow the simple instructions.

When are pre-schools open?

Pre-schools usually open for sessions of around three hours, with children often attending for morning or afternoon sessions. The hours that OFSTED (Children Services) have agreed for them to open will be recorded on their registration certificate.

Sometimes there will be two sessions a day, five days a week, and sometimes the pre-school just opens for three or four sessions a week. Some pre-schools have one or more "extended days" where children can stay for lunch (usually a packed lunch) and then an afternoon session.

Most pre-schools have the same term dates as local schools.

If you'd like to search to find pre-school services in your area, visit the Childcarelink site and follow the simple instructions.

What about full-time childcare?

Some parents arrange for their child to go to pre-school with a childminder or other carer.

Some pre-schools in addition to opening for extended days are seeking to develop "wrap-around" care. This means they can offer additional care before or after their main sessions. For more details you will need to contact the Children's Information Service.

If you'd like to search to find pre-school services in your area, visit the Childcarelink site and follow the simple instructions.

How much does a pre-school cost?

Pre-schools cost between £3 and £7 per session, but many also provide free early education for three and four year-olds funded by the Government.

Most pre-schools provide early years education and are registered with Croydon EYDCP (the Office for Standards in Education) to receive Nursery Education Grant, they will receive a grant which covers the cost of up to five two and half hour sessions a week. All children are entitled to this from the term of their fourth birthday and some depending on their needs and your circumstances will be entitled to this grant from the term after their third birthday.

For more information on this funding visit the 'Help for three and four year olds' page via the paying for childcare page.

If you'd like to search to find pre-school services in your area, visit the Childcarelink site and follow the simple instructions.

Can you help me to choose a good pre-school?

Although we cannot recommend particular pre-schools, we seek to supply sufficient information to enable you to make an informed decision. We provide lists of registered day nurseries in Croydon and information on how to choose. We can advise you on the types of childcare that may be appropriate for your lifestyle or individual needs. However, it is your responsibility, as parent or carer, to choose the most suitable childcare for your circumstances.

For more information on tips and pointers to choosing quality pre-school childcare, visit the Advice on Pre-school choice page. It is important to visit one or two settings before you make a decision.

If you'd like to search to find pre-school services in your area, visit the Childcarelink site and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of pre-school services in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

Back to Pre-school Childcare

Thursday, 20 November, 2008

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Submit a Comment / Question to the Webmaster