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Pre-schools offer sessions of care, play and education for children between two and five years of age.
Groups are usually open in term time only, and for between four and ten sessions a week.
Working parents can combine a childminder and a pre-school group to provide childcare throughout the day. Increasingly lunch clubs and extended hours are offered by pre-schools.
Advantages
Can be easier to combine with alternative care such as a childminder
Opportunity to get involved as a parent
Always staff to cover if one carer is sick
Disadvantages
Need to find alternative care in the school holidays
Only admit children from about two years of age
Needs to be combined with alternative care if working hours exceed group sessions
Nurseries
Nurseries usually offer full day-care, play and education between 8am and 6pm all year round.
Nurseries cater for a wider range of children, often including babies.
Nursery advantages
Group setting where the majority of staff are trained in childcare
Always staff to cover if one carer is sick
Open 50 weeks of the year with full and part-time places
Nursery disadvantages
May not take and collect older children from school
Can be difficult to negotiate flexible hours
Can be expensive, particularly for babies
Nursery classes
Nursery classes are attached to some Wiltshire primary and infant schools.
These classes cater for three and four year olds for a minimum of five half-day sessions per week in term time.
In all settings each child in a group will have their own keyworker and each group will have a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).
Nursery classes are free in state schools; independent schools set their own charges although early years entitlement hours are available in most independent schools for eligible children.
Advantages
Can provide free early years education for three and four year olds in some infant and primary schools; however, fees are charged by independent schools
Always staff to cover in case of sickness
At least one member of staff is a qualified teacher.
Disadvantages
Children can only attend for five mornings or afternoons during school terms
Children are not guaranteed a place in the infant or primary school
Needs to be combined with alternative childcare if working hours exceed opening times
How do I make a choice?
The best way to decide whether a pre-school or nursery is right for your child is to visit while other children are there, taking your child with you.
It is also a good idea to talk to other parents and find out why they chose to send their child to a particular group.
How will my child be settled into the group?
How is good behaviour encouraged, and how are behaviour problems dealt with?
How will you report to me on my child's progress?
Will I be able to see and discuss records kept about my child?
What activities might my child do in a typical session/day?
Is there a waiting list?
Can I see your most recent Ofsted report?
What experience and/or training do the staff have (including training in baby care if this is significant)?
What is the fee structure?
Are the adults welcoming?
Are the children happy and involved in what they are doing?
Are the toilets nearby and easy for the children to use on their own?
How are rest periods planned into the session/day?
Do the adults speak calmly, and give positive encouragement?
How much choice do the children have about their activities?
Is it an exciting environment?
Is there a wide range of resources e.g. books, natural materials, table top and floor games, art and craft resources, climbing equipment and imaginative play areas?
Are the resources in good condition?
Is there an outside play area and equipment?
How much time do the children spend outside?
There is no standard fee structure.
Pre-schools and nurseries set their own rates and you should always be clear about their charges
Nursery charges will be partly dependent on the age of the child with a full time place costing around £30 per day
Fees for babies are always higher due to the need for a higher staff to child ratio
Pre-school sessions usually cost between £6.50 and £9.00.
Pre-schools and nurseries set their own fee structures with different rates depending on the child's age and the length of time they are in the setting.
Caring for sick children is not part of a pre-school or nursery's role, and you should keep your child at home or collect them if they are unwell
In the case of an accident the needs of the child should be put first, and action taken accordingly
You will already have been asked to sign a consent form allowing the group to seek emergency treatment if necessary
You will also be asked to sign the group's accident/incident book confirming that you were given full details of any accident and the action that was taken
