“The role of the pre‐school playgroups association in England and Wales after twenty‐five years"†

Abstract

The Pre‐school Playgroups Association (PPA), twenty‐five years old in 1986, is a democratic, charitable organisation linking over 14000 pre‐school playgroups and mother & toddler groups in England and Wales. The groups provide places for 36% of all three to four year olds, compared to 21% of the same age group in nursery schools and classes, and 23% in primary schools. Member groups of PPA are all independent and autonomous. PPA does not run the groups; the groups choose to join PPA. Over half the groups are managed, equipped and financed by the parents who also employ and assist the play‐leaders. A high ratio of adults to children exists, demonstrating the parents'desire to be involved in their children’ searly growth and development. The parents thus take responsibility for the groups in management, helping fund‐raising and extending the work into the community. Over a quarter of the groups have a mentally or physically handicapped child, in co‐operation with the statutory health, education and social services departments. In addition, 37% of member groups hold mother and toddler sessions, giving an informal meeting point for parents and other child‐carers which can develop into mutual support. Members from individual groups form a network of 450 branches, 40 county associations, regional and national structure, all of which exist to share advice, information and support. This effort is sustained by over 11000 volunteers, working the equivalent full time hours of 1183 staff. In 1984/85 over 42000 students joined PPA training courses, based on the four themes of creative play, parent responsibility, group participation and community involvement. The paper describes these developments of PPA, identifying factors affecting them, and reports on a recent survey into parents’ awareness of pre‐school provision available.