Pre-schools and day nurseries
- Daycare list -
(PDF: 47KB) - updated 4 November 2008. This list includes all the pre-schools and day nurseries within the borough of Barnet.
Pre-schools
Pre-schools (also known as playgroups) provide play and early education for children aged between two and five-years-old. Most pre-schools are run by a community or voluntary group. All pre-schools are registered and inspected by Ofsted.
Most groups offer three to five sessions a morning or afternoon. A session can run from two and a half up to four hours during term time and costs can range from £5 - £10 a session.
Day nurseries
Day nurseries provide care and education for children aged up to five-years-old. There are different types of nurseries including:
- private
- community
- council
- work-based.
However, all are registered and inspected by Ofsted. Their hours may vary but most coincide with a standard working day: 8am to 7pm on weekdays, 50 weeks of the year. You can send your child to nursery on a full or part-time basis. Costs vary but a full-time place could range from £180 - £250 per week.
Making a choice
When looking for a pre-school/day nursery you should ask to see the most recent Ofsted inspection report. The Registration Certificate should be on display with the current Certificate of Insurance. You should visit the group and discuss things like:
- waiting lists
- costs (including nappies, meals, holidays) and contracts
- settling in, discipline and other nursery policies.
Remember to draft a list of questions to take with you, have good look around and ask yourself:
- does the room look safe?
- are there lots of toys and equipment?
- are the children well supervised and do they look happy?
- what is the staff to children ratio?
As a guideline, the staff to children ratio should follow:
- 1:3 - 0-2 years
- 1:4 - 2-3 years
- 1:8 - 3-5 years
The pre-school/day nursery should also ask you about your child, such as their likes and dislikes, and if they have any allergies or medical needs.
Finally, did you enjoy your visit? Was it friendly, relaxed and informative? Did your child enjoy it?
Special needs provision
Barnet Council is committed to promoting inclusion in all areas of education, including early years. Every pre-school/day nursery has a Special Educational Needs/Inclusion Policy outlining the commitment of the setting to include children with special/additional educational needs and disabilities.
Each pre-school/day nursery has a Barnet-trained Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) who co-ordinates any provision for children with special/additional educational needs. If you feel that your child may have a special/additional educational need or disability, ask to speak to the SENCO in your child’s pre-school/day nursery.
Paying for childcare
You may be able to get help towards your childcare costs from Tax Credits. There are other sources of help depending on your circumstances. See Paying for Childcare for more details. If you child is three or four-years-old, they can receive a free part time place under the Nursery Education Funding scheme.
Finding pre-schools/day nurseries
For a list of pre-school and day nurseries and further guidance on choosing childcare, contact the Children’s Information Service by using the contact details opposite or by texting on 07781 480 070.
You can search for local childcare on the ChildcareLink website www.childcarelink.org.uk.
Children, young people and families
