Playgroup and day nursery?

Question

can anyone describe the difference?

Answer 1

I can only agree with everything Stephanie has said. Playgroups are not really run by parents anymore, although they do often have a parent committee to oversee the running of them. Most playgroups still have to be Ofsted registered and so must adhere to their standards. They have to have qualified staff, and meet the minimum ratios. They are often sessional.

Nurseries are usually full day, open all year. They often take babies from birth.

Answer 2

A play group is usually a casually organized group where parents take turns or share in the supervision.  They decide what activities the children will participate in however most of the time there is very little, if any, structure.

A day nursery is operated by an individual who is not related to any of the children and in most states requires a license of some sort.  Programs are varied.  Some have no structure or curriculum, while others are highly structured and operated by someone who has some sort of teaching degree and/or experience.  And, of course, there is everything in between.

Answer 3

Playgroup is usually from age 2, and is a stepping stone to the school nursery class. Here children should learn not only educational but social skills such as sharing, taking turns, recognising structure to a day etc. Parents send their children to playgroups for these reasons, as a choice and in the child's interst mainly.

Day nurseries are for babies from the age of 3months and are specifically childcare places ie for parents who work. These will also teach both educationally and hopefully sociallly. Both institutions are very stringently monitored and must adhere to strict policies and standards.

There is most definitely a big difference between the two-and I'm not just talking fees here!

Answer 4

These days there does not seem to be much difference between Pre-School and Day Nurseries, Pre-Schools now have to open 38 weeks per year, the majority of pre-schools are ofsted registered and have fully qualified staff one difference is that the majority of pre-schools take children from the age of 2 years. However new legislation is coming into place where pre-schools have to offer 3 hour sessions instead of two and a half hours. Day nurseries are from six weeks old and onwards and often open from 8-6 daily . Both adhere to Birth to three matters and the foundation stage curriculum. This is how things are run in Lincolnshire, but reading other peoples answers maybe things are different as parents don't run sessions.

Answer 5

play group is usually a casually organized group where parents take turns or share in the supervision. They decide what activities the children will participate in however most of the time there is very little, if any, structure.

A day nursery is operated by an individual who is not related to any of the children and in most states requires a license of some sort. play group is more fun

Answer 6

playgroups are for children from 2 yrs of age and they are usually sessional hours. Mornings or afternoons but generally mornings. Today according to Children Act they have to provide a ratio of adults to children 1/5 i think and they also have to be qualified and can have parental help. They charge per session depending on the group and funding.

They have to provide a certain amount of education for children and most definatly provide activities and include multicultural materials just like day nursary should.They are inspected on a regular basis by social services to ensure health and safety for children and that they are meeting the requirments of Children Act can be closed down if not.

Day nursary is usually for babies and small children up to school age.. Staff are qualified nursary nurses or NVQ.

There is usually a fee as most are private run or if education run free but have to provide money for food and any activities they do. Duration of stay tend to be all day but they do offer sessional times like mornings or afternoons.

The same rules apply in regards of Children Act but are more stricter and also have a more perminant building where as Playgroups can be run in community halls ect.

If you  look up the Children Act you will find a mine of information in regards of rules they both have to adher to.

I hope that is some help

Answer 7

Playgroup is when parents and children get together on a daily basis to meet up to allow their children to interact with each other. The health and safety of the toys and premises are monitored to ensure safety for everyone and there could be workers employed there who are vetted. Checks are made on a regular basis.

Day Nursery however is different as the play is structured to prepare the children for school etc and all health and safety along with vetting  and checks are adhered to.