Playgroup as an Alternative to a Nursery?
- Nikki Miller, Editor
- May 28, 2024
- 3 min read
Playgroups
Pre-school playgroups are less formal than nurseries and operate for a few hours each day, typically run by private individuals or charities. Parents may be required to volunteer at times. Playgroups offer stimulating and educational play sessions for children aged approximately two years old. Gaelic playgroups are also available in some areas. It is important to note that a playgroup is not the same as a 'Parent Toddler Group', which is attended with the child. Playgroups usually run for 2.5 hours sessions in the morning and or afternoon, up to five days per week, and follow school term times. See below for a list of Edinburgh playgroups.
Costs
The full cost of a session (usually 2.5 hours) will be around £8-£20 per session. If your playgroup is registered with the local authority, your 3- or 4-year-old will be eligible for a fully funded place and some 2 year olds.
Edinburgh Playgroups
Central Edinburgh
St Mary’s Playgroup, Broughton
St Mary’s R.C. Primary School, East London Street
Monday to Friday 9am-12pm
£12 per session
Contact Gail Dempster on 0131 556 1634
North Edinburgh
Leith St Andrew’s Playgroup
410-412 Easter Road EH6 8HT
Monday to Friday in school term time
Contact here
East Edinburgh
Northfield/Willowbrae Playgroup
Northfield/Willowbrae Community Centre, 10 Northfield Road EH8 7PP
Mornings only: 9.05am-12.15pm.
£13.40 per session
Full Day Monday or Tuesday:9.05am-2.45pm including snack and lunch
£26.80 per day (option only offered depending on spaces/child's age)
Contact here
Craigentinny Castle Playgroup
Craigentinny Community Centre, 9 Loaning Rd, Edinburgh EH7 6JT
Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 12pm.
£15 per day
Contact here
Portobello Toddlers Hut Est.1929
28 Beach Lane, Portobello EH15 1HU
Monday – Thursday: morning, afternoon and full day sessions available.
Mornings: 8.30am – 11.30am.Afternoons: 12pm – 3pm.Full Day: 8:30am – 3pm.
Contact here
South Edinburgh
Holy Corner Community Playgroup
6A Christ Church, Morningside Road EH10 4DD
Monday to Thursday: 8:55am -12.20pm and Friday: 8:55am-11.35am during term time.
£20.57 per session, £16.28 on Fridays (includes daily snack)
Joining fee of £25 paid when joining the waiting list.
Contact here
Compass Playgroup
Dean Park Pre-school Centre, 1 Main Street, Balerno EH14 7EQ
Monday to Friday mornings: 8.55am-11.40am
Full day sessions Monday toThursday: 8.30am-3pm
Mornings £9, Full day sessions £21, Breakfast Club £1
Contact here
Dreghorn Pre-school
25/27 Dreghorn Gardens, Edinburgh, EH13 9NS
2yrs+ Monday to Thursday: 9am-1pm
£24 includes lunch
3yrs+Monday to Thursday: 8.45am-3.15pm, Friday: 08.45am -3.15pm
Fully funded including lunch & Snack.
Contact here
Stableroom Playgroup
Colinton Parish Church, Dell Road, Colinton EH13 0JR
9.15am-12pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Term time only
£20 per session
Contact here
West Edinburgh
Cramond Playgroup
Cramond Kirk Halls, Cramond Glebe Road, EH4 6NS
Monday to Friday during school term time 9am–12 noon
£18 per morning session (including snack)
Contact here
Blackhall Playgroup
St Columba’s Church, Columba Road EH4 3QU
Monday to Friday: 9am to 11.30am
£16.25 per session (no minimum number of sessions)
Contact here
Corstorphine Village Playgroup
2a Corstorphine High St. EH12 7ST
Monday - Friday term time: 9.30am to 11.30am.
£15 per session
There is also a one-off registration fee of £20 for all new starts.
Contact here
Corstorphine Dynamo Hub, Gyle Park, Glasgow Rd EH12 8LJ
Monday to Friday: 9.15am to 11.15am.
£8 per session+ one-off administration fee of £10
1/2 termly themes
Contact here
The Tom Thumb Playgroup
St The Vennel Hall, Smithsland,South Queensferry EH30 9HU
Monday to Friday: 9am to 11.30am
£15 per session (no minimum number of sessions)
Contact here
