Local Early Years Providers.

Toddler groups, Pre-schools, Playgroups & Nurseries in Harpenden

Toddler groups are usually voluntary community groups where parents, carers and their toddlers can meet, socialise and play. Meetings are usually weekly, with a small charge for attendance. Adults stay with their children whilst making new friends along the way.

Pre-schools, playgroups and private nurseries provide early years education for children up to the age of five. Run by trained early years professionals, they emphasise parental involvement. Many voluntary playgroups are run by a parent committee. They usually operate term-time only and offer a variety of sessional, extended and full day care, providing play and learning opportunities alongside childcare. Most offer free places funded by the Government.

Full Day Care nurseries provide care and education for pre-school children aged from six weeks to five years old and are most often used by working parents. Whether privately run, community, council or workplace they must be registered and regularly inspected by Ofsted. Strict guidelines on staff to children ratios must be complied with. Hours tend to fit in with the average working day of 8am to 6pm and care is usually provided all year round. You can send your child full or part-time. Some day nurseries offer school pick-ups and out of school care. Up to fifteen hours are usually provided free for children from the term after their third birthday.

There are a limited number of fully funded places for two years olds, these are awarded on a points system determined by need. This includes family circumstances, income and some other factors. Contact the Children's Centre if you think you might be eligible.

Childminders are self employed and provide care for between one and six children under 8 years old, in the childminders own home. They may have the facility to drop and pick up children from school or play group and can sometimes provide flexible opening times. Accredited childminders can offer Nursery Education Funded place. For more information contact the Family Information Service by email at fis@hertscc.gov.uk.

Hertfordshire County Council Nursery Classes and Nursery Schools offer sessional term-time only provision for older pre-school children usually in the September after their third birthday.

For more information on the admissions process contact Pat Everett or Dulcie Hiscott at the Children's Centre.

Some providers across all sectors allow parents to use their free entitlement over less than five days, ask when you contact them. Some providers will ask for a deposit when you enroll your child.

When looking for early years childcare and information, request a visit and take your child with you (this is not always possible in schools).

It is best to prepare in advance, jotting down the questions you would like to ask. Check the providers Ofsted Registration Certificate which will specify the maximum number of children allowed to attend and their age range (excludes schools). High Quality providers are also likely to have achieved Herts Quality Standard so look out for this quality mark.

For all providers other than toddler groups you can find the latest Ofsted reports on-line at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_providers/list/

Local childcare information

Hertfordshire County Council runs the Hertfordshire childcare directory website where you can access your childcare information online click here to access.

The service provides access to Ofsted registered childcare providers; ideal if you are looking for a child minder, pre-school or day nursery. The service also provides information on out of school activities such as holiday and after school clubs. Simply enter your postcode and you will find the childcare available in your local area.

Please note that some childcare providers choose not to display their information on the internet - a full list is available from the Family Information Service