Playgroups and crèches
Playgroups offer short daily sessions of care and learning through play for children aged two to four years old. In a crèche, young children are cared for during the day while their parents or carers do something else on the same premises. They might be working, shopping or at classes.
Registered playgroups
Playgroups are run by trained early year’s professionals. Parents are closely involved and some are run by parent committees.
Playgroups are registered with the Early Years Team in their local Health and Social Care Trust and inspected annually.
Those in the Pre-School Education Programme have some funded places for children in their final pre-school year.
Most places will be available:
- at least two and a half hours per day
- five days per week
- at least 38 weeks during the period September to June
In playgroups:
- children can play and learn as well as have fun with friends
- you can take part in your child's early years education
- you can meet and get to know parents in your area
A playgroup isn't suitable if your child needs full day-care.
Information to check with playgroups
- that the building is safe and well-maintained
- that the playgroup is registered with Early Years Team in your local Health and Social Care Trust
- that there are different activities
- that there are enough qualified staff
- that the children seem happy, well-supervised and doing suitable activities
Questions to ask playgroups
- how many staff members are on duty at any one time
- qualifications and experience staff have
- policies and procedures the playgroup uses
- the playgroup allows you to stay with your child until they're settled
Registered crèches
Créches which care for children for more than two hours a day are registered and regularly inspected by the Early Years Team in your local Health and Social Care Trust. The opening hours of the crèche may be flexible to suit parents and carers.
The crèche might be run by a legal or voluntary body, a community group or private company.