Pre-schools

Most pre-schools will look after your child between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years old.

Some will take 2-year-olds during term time only. They can offer morning or afternoon sessions lasting between two and a half to three hours. These are mostly non-profits run by a committee of volunteers.

Pre-schools registered to claim the early years free entitlement can offer early years free funded places to children the term following their third birthday, or second birthday if the child is eligible for a 2-year funded place.

First of all, you know your child best, so look for a setting that you feel is suitable for your child.

Pre-schools are registered with Ofsted and are inspected regularly. Inspection covers all aspects of the service including safety and the suitability and standard of the building. Most pre-school staff are trained to work with children or are undergoing training. There should be:

• One member of staff for every eight children aged 3 to 5
• One adult for every four children aged 2 to 3

Most pre-schools will provide places for between 10 and 35 children.

Pre-schools are usually open during school term time. Most offer sessions of three hours, either every day or on several days during the week.

A number of pre-schools are developing their services to offer longer sessions or full time day-care. Some parents choose to arrange for their childminder to take their children to pre-school or maintained nurseries; others may choose to use other types of daycare, e.g. a day nursery.

Pre-schools provide early years education and are registered to receive Nursery Education Funding. This means they will receive a grant which covers the cost of up to 5 three hour sessions a week. All children are entitled to this from the term after their third birthday.

Pre-school charges range from around £4.50-£6.50 per session for children who start before this or children who attend for additional hours.

Pre-schools can provide 3- & 4-year-old funded places.

Pre-schools who have a 'Outstanding' or 'Good' Ofsted rating can offer 2-year-old funded places.

The pre-school will be sent twice termly payments by Southampton City Council to provide free early years places to eligible children for up to a maximum of 15 hours per week. No charge is made for the free places, however if you exceed your free entitlement you will have to pay a fee for any additional services or time spent at the setting. This could include hours attended during the academic school holidays as the entitlement only covers children for a maximum of 38 weeks a year.

Each term Southampton City Council will set a ‘head count’ day and children not attending any early years setting by that date may not be able to claim an early years funded place until the start of the following term. Please ask your chosen setting for dates of the head count days.

Although we cannot recommend a particular setting, the Family Information Service (FIS) looks to give you the information to make an informed decision.

The directory holds lists of providers in Southampton and information to enable you to make an informed decision. We can advise you on the types of childcare that may be appropriate for your lifestyle or individual needs.

However, it is your responsibility as parent or carer to choose the most suitable childcare for your circumstances. It is important to visit some settings before you make a decision.