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Playgroups provide sessions of play and
education for children aged between 2½ and 5
years. Some playgroups also work in
partnership with their local authority to
provide free, part time pre-school education
places for 3 and 4 year olds. You will find
playgroups in many areas of West Lothian,
often where parents or voluntary groups have
set them up. Parents help the staff normally
on a rota basis and many parents learn about
child development through their involvement.
Since April 2002, playgroups have been
required to register with the Scottish
Commission for the Regulation of Care (also
known as the Care Commission). This means
that the premises and staff have to be in
line with the National Care Standards for
Children aged up to 16. You can view these
standards at the following link:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/10153255/0
You can also ask the staff at the playgroup
to show you their registration certificate
and latest inspection report. If the
playgroup is providing fun pre-school
education, it will undergo joint inspections
by the Care Commission and Her Majesty's
Inspectorate of Education.
Details of West Lothian playgroup provision
can be obtained from the Scottish Childcare
website above. |
