Pre-schools

Pre-schools often operate in places like local churches or community halls. Children in pre-schools are usually aged between 3 and 5 years, but there are also places for 2-year-olds in some settings.

Pre-schools enable children to:

• play with other children and develop critical communication, thinking and independence skills
• develop friendships with others
• have access to a range of high-quality, stimulating learning experiences

It's also an opportunity to get to know other parents or carers in your area. Some parents arrange for children to go to pre-school with a childminder or other child carer.

Many pre-schools are supported by the pre-school learning alliance. Other pre-schools are maintained in the private sector.

List of pre-schools

Download our list of pre-school playgroups ^{(xlsx, 12kb)} (including fees, opening hours and Ofsted grades).

Page last updated: 30 August 2024