Playgroups
Playgroups provide part-time play and education opportunities for children aged between 2½ and 5 years, although some groups will also cater for younger children. Most are run by groups of parents with parent led communities, although some may be privately owned.
Playgroups rely on parents/carers who volunteer their services but all groups also employ at least one paid playleader and/or assistant. Increasingly these playleaders have a qualification. Some playgroups have entered into partnership arrangements with us and are providing places for pre-school children and/or 3 years old on a commissioned basis.
Free entitlement to nursery provision for 3 and 4 year olds is currently 12.5 hours per week. Eligibility dates apply for 3 year olds.
Commissioning
Commissioning is the term used to describe the formal arrangement where we commission entitled places for 3 and 4 year olds from partners. It includes payments by us, at an agreed rate, for the places provided by the voluntary or private sector partner provider. These providers are sometimes called commissioned partners or partner centres or, sometimes partner providers.
Playgroups require to be registered by Social Care and Social Work Inspection Scotland.
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