Playgroups and pre-schools are for children aged two years and six months to five years old.

Children attend either in the morning or the afternoon for two to three hours.

Your child will be able to build their social skills and increase their educational development through activities such as art, crafts, music, book reading and sand and water play.  

Children are also encouraged to socialise and make friends. 

Prices 
The average cost per session is about £6.50 for a three hour session for under three years old. Children are eligible for the free early years entitlement from the term after their third birthday.  Please contact us about this.

Staff
Playgroups and pre-schools are usually run voluntarily by a group of parents, but they must have a paid, qualified and experienced supervisor with at least one assistant.

• There must be one member of staff for every eight children aged three to five.
• There must be one member of staff for every four children aged two to three.          

Most groups offer places for between 10 and 20 children but there must be no more than 26 children in one room.

Safety checks
All playgroups and pre-schools must be registered with Ofsted.  They will make sure:

• the staff are suitable to look after children. 
• the nursery premises are safe and secure.          

If the group also provides early education, it must be registered with the Warrington Childcare Team.

Choosing a playgroup or pre-school
Ask to see their registration certificate and the report of their last inspection.  You should also visit the group with your child…

• Are you made welcome?
• Are the children happy and do they appear to be enjoying the activities?
• Are staff listening to children and answering them carefully?
• Are staff friendly and proud of their work?
• Do staff make sure the children are playing safely?
• Are staff joining in with what the children are doing?
• Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for the children to use?
• Is the place clean, well kept, secure and safe?
• Are there plenty of fun activities to help children learn and play?
• What are the procedures for fire drills and medical emergencies?
• Do the staff listen to what you want for your child?           

Contact us for an up-to-date list of playgroups and pre-schools in Warrington.

Contact us: 
Families Information Service
2nd Floor, New Town House
Buttermarket Street
Warrington, WA1 2NJ
Tel: 01925 443131
Email: fis@warrington.gov.uk