Nursery World - Extended hours for pre-schools: State of play

The demand for more flexible hours of childcare would seem to be met by adapting provision by playgroups. But that's not so easy, says Anne Wiltsher

The Government wants 21,000 pre-school playgroup places to be extended to full daycare or wraparound care by 2004. Is this feasible, given the history and culture of the playgroup movement? How popular is it with the paid and unpaid army who run the 14,300 playgroups around Britain?

Quite popular, judging by the number of enquiries to the Pre-School Learning Alliance from playgroups asking how they can extend their hours. The PLA is piloting a Childcare Starter Kit in a joint initiative with the DfEE, which will be distributed in August. 'Many playgroups are wanting to do innovative work,' says PLA worker Natalie Smith, 'and they've latched on to the pilot because they've realised that funding is available.'

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