Choosing the right preschool

Before your child starts school, you might be thinking of sending them to preschool. But what exactly do preschools offer and how can you find the right one for your child?

Finding the right childcare for your child – whether that's a nanny, a childminder, nursery or preschool – can be tricky, not to mention expensive.

To help you with your childcare choice, we spoke to the Coram Family and Childcare for advice and information about UK preschools.

And don’t forget, all three and four-year-olds in England are eligible for 15 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year, with some eligible for 30 hours.

Three and four-year-olds in Scotland are entitled to 16 hours of free childcare a week, a minimum of 10 hours free childcare in Wales and 2.5 hours a day during term-time in Northern Ireland.

What is a preschool?

A preschool – also referred to as nursery school – is an early years setting where children learn through play.

Preschools often run in church halls, community centres or village halls but they can also be part of a nursery setting or nursery school attached to a primary school.

The term 'preschool' is often used to describe a form of childcare for three and four-year-olds before they start school.

If you're starting to think about sending your child to a childcare setting that offers preschool care, the first step is to draw up a shortlist of childcare providers in your area and to check the hours, costs and places available.

 You can search for local childcare in our listings.

What should I be looking for in a preschool?

Any good preschool will welcome a visit and many will let you and your child join in part or all of a session.

By watching the other children, you'll get a good idea of how your child will enjoy a particular group and whether or not it's the right environment for them.

Visit as many preschools as you can and choose the one you feel most comfortable with.

You know your child better than anyone and your instinct will tell you where he will feel happiest, have the most fun and gain confidence.

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Questions to ask a preschool

When you’re looking round preschools for your child, here are six key questions to ask:

1 What is the ratio of staff to children and how many children do you care for?
There are strict guidelines on the ratio of staff to children. For three to five year olds there needs to be one carer to eight children.

2 What are the daily routines?
It’s useful to find out how the preschool will incorporate your child's, and other children's, routines?

It’s also useful to find out if the preschool has key workers, where one member of staff has main responsibility for your child.

3 Are you Ofsted registered?
Nearly all preschools in England must be registered with Ofsted, with some exemptions. At least 50% of the staff are required to be formally trained.

Ofsted grades are an important piece of information about a childcare setting, but we’d always recommend visiting in person and making your own judgement as well.  

4 Do you offer 15 or 30 free hours?
All three and four-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours' free childcare a week (term-time only), which can be provided by a preschool.

Not all preschools have opted in for the government's 30 free hours scheme. This is either due to a shortfall in funding or lack of places. So it's worth asking the question before you enrol your child.

5 Have you registered for Tax-Free Childcare (if you're eligible for it)?
Tax-Free Childcare could save parents who are eligible £2,000 per year, per child towards their childcare costs. Childcare settings need to be registered to make it possible for you to do this. 

6 Do you follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)?
All registered early years providers, including playgroups and nursery schools (in both the private and state sector), have to follow a structure of learning, development and care called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

This applies nationally, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How to apply for a preschool place

There are often long waiting lists so, if you like the preschool, put your child's name down as soon as you can.

Phone the preschool to see how early you can apply or register your interest. You may be asked to pay a deposit. 

Alternatively, some local education authorities (LEAs) provide free preschool places at nursery schools or classes (within primary schools) for children under the age of five.

You will need to apply for a place, so if you are interested, remember to register your interest with the setting.

Then you'll usually have to apply by the winter or spring in the academic year before they'd be due to start. Your LEA will provide details of timings and application process. 

Bear in mind that school-based nurseries are term-time only and school hours, which may not suit some working parents.

How much will preschool childcare cost?

Charges depend on the type of care and education you want for your child. For example, you will not have to pay for a nursery place at a primary school but you will have to pay for a place at a childminder or private nursery. 

State nursery schools that take children aged three and four are free. The average cost of childcare offering preschool education will be £5 -10 per hour.

This will be reduced from the term after the child's third birthday for children. How much discount will depend whether they get 15 or 30 free hours.  

Find Ofsted reports (or the equivalent) for your preschool

England
Find Ofsted reports for your local playgroups and nursery schools by entering your postcode

Northern Ireland
Find Deni reports for your local playgroups and nursery schools by entering your postcode

Scotland
Find HMIe reports for your local playgroups and nursery schools by entering your postcode

Wales
Find Estyn reports for your local playgroups and nursery schools by entering your postcode

How did you pick the right preschool for your child? Why not join the chat in the Netmums Coffeehouse forum, below.