Choosing a Pre-School or Nursery

Pre-schools

Pre schools offer sessions of care, play and education for children between 2 and 5 years of age.  Groups are usually open in term time only, and for between 4 and 10 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.

Some 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.

Some disadvantages:

• need to find alternative care in the school holidays;
• only admit children from about 2 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.

Some 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.

Some disadvantages:

• may not take and collect older children from school;
• can be difficult to negotiate flexible hours;
• can be expensive, particularly for babies.

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.

Questions you might wish to ask include:

• 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?

Things to look for might include:

• 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?

How much do they charge?

There is no standard fee structure.

Pre-school sessions usually cost between £6.50 and £9.00. 

Nursery charges vary and will be partly dependent on the age of the child.  The cost for a full time place will probably be around £30 per day.

Nursery classes are free in state schools, and independent schools set their own charges.

Can I get help with the fees?

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.

Support for the cost of care and education of young children may be available through:

• The Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit - lone parents and couples who both work 16 hours or more a week may be entitled to the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit which can pay up to 80% of childcare costs.

• Childcare Vouchers (in exchange for a salary sacrifice) - one or both parents could receive childcare vouchers in lieu of some of their salary to help pay for the cost of childcare

• Free Entitlement - from the term following their 3rd birthday all children can receive 15 hours of Free Entitlement per week (to a maximum of 570 hours in a year) in a pre-school or nursery.

• Inclusion Funding - various funding streams are available for fees and additional support to enable children with additional needs to attend pre-school or nursery.  Ring the Family Information Service at ask on 08457 585072 or email info@askwiltshire.org

Nursery Classes

Nursery Classes are attached to 10 primary and infant schools in Wiltshire. Nursery classes cater for 3 and 4 year olds for a number of half-day sessions per week in term time.  Some independent schools offer classes for 3 and 4 year olds.

Some advantages: 

• can provide free early years education for 3 and 4 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.

Some disadvantages: 

• children can only attend for 5 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.

In all settings each child in a group will have their own keyworker and each group will have a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator).

Nursery classes are free in state schools; independent schools set their own charges although Free Entitlement hours are available in most independent schools for eligible children.

What happens if my child is ill or has an accident?

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.

How do I find a pre-school or nursery?

• Call the Family Information Service at ask on 08457 585072 (01380 872915) between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday for information about settings in Wiltshire.  We can also do a range of searches for specific requirements, for example, which childminders collect from a particular group, experience and support for additional needs.

• Email info@askwiltshire.org outlining your needs, your child/children's ages and the area in which you need childcare.

• Friends , neighbours and colleagues may be able to recommend groups they have used.

• Visit direct.gov.uk