Playgroups: Childcare for 2yrs+:
Daycare Playgroups
What is a playgroup?
Playgroups are warm, community-run spaces—often set up as charitable or non-profit organisations. They’re often a bit more relaxed than private nurseries or council run nurseries. They are inspected by the Care Inspectorate for safety and quality. They offer places to children (out of nappies) from 2 or 2.5 up to 5 years old.
How they work
Playgroups offer engaging, educational play sessions. Most days run three-hour sessions in the morning and/or afternoon, up to five days a week, following the school term. Some have the option where you can pay by the hour, which is handy if you don’t want a full-time place.
Costs and funding
Costs are typically about £10–£26 for a three-hour session, and the price usually includes a snack. If the playgroup is registered with the local authority, your 3- or 4-year-old (and some 2-year-olds) may be eligible for a fully funded place under the 1140 hours entitlement, starting the term after turning three. Tax-free childcare vouchers are usually accepted.
Note: Not the same as Parent Toddler Groups
A playgroup isn’t the same as a Parent Toddler Group or Mother-and-Baby Playgroup, which are social groups for parents with their child.
Central Edinburgh
St Mary’s Playgroup, Broughton
St Mary’s R.C. Primary School,
East London Street
Tuesday to Friday 9am-12pm
£13 per session
Contact Gail Dempster
on 0131 556 1634
North Edinburgh
8a Loaning Crescent, EH7 6JT
Mon to Fri 9am-12pm or 9am-3pm
term time.
East Edinburgh
Northfield/Willowbrae Playgroup
Northfield/Willowbrae Community
Centre, 10 Northfield Road EH8 7PP
Mon - Friday Mornings only:
9.05am-12.15pm. £20 per session
Full Day Monday or Tuesday: 9.05am-
2.45pm including snack and lunch
£35 per day (option only offered
depending on spaces/child’s age)
northfieldwillowbrae@gmail.com
Portobello Toddlers Hut Est.1929
28 Beach Lane, Portobello EH15 1HU
Monday – Thursday: morning,
afternoon and full day sessions
available. £7.12/hour
Mornings: 8.30am – 11.30am.or Afternoons: 12pm – 3pm.£21.36
Full Day: 8:30am – 3pm. £46.28
South Edinburgh
Dean Park Pre-school Centre,
1 Main Street,
Balerno EH14 7EQ
Term time only
Mon-Fri mornings: 8.30am-11.40pm
Mon-Fri Full Day: 8.30am-3pm
Mornings £15, Full day sessions £28
Council Funded Places Available
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: 8.45am-12.15pm
3yrs + Fully funded including lunch
and snack.
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.
£26.88 per session, £21.28 on Fridays
(includes daily snack) 3 sessions minimum.
Joining fee of £25 paid when joining the waiting list.
Council Funded places available
Colinton Parish Church, Dell Road,
Colinton EH13 0JR
9.15am-12pm on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Term time only. £22 per session
stableroom.wixsite.com/
stableroomplaygroup
West Edinburgh
St Columba’s Church,
Columba Road EH4 3QU
Monday - Thursday 9am-12pm
£21.25 per session
(no minimum number of sessions)
Corstorphine Village Playgroup
2a Corstorphine High St. EH12 7ST
Monday - Friday term time:
9.30am to 11.30am.
£16.50 per day
Www. corstorphinevillageplaygroup.co.uk
Cramond Kirk Halls, Cramond Glebe
Road, EH4 6NS
Monday to Friday during school term
time 9am–12 noon
£24.50 per session
(including snack)
88th Craigalmond (Carrick Knowe) Scout Hall
81 Broomhall Avenue
Corstorphine
EH12 7NW
Monday to Friday:
9.15am to 11.15am.
£13.50 per session + one-off
administration fee of £10
1/2 termly themes
facebook.com/eastcraigsplaygroup
Church Centre,
Bughtlin Market, EH12 8XP
Monday to Thursday, 9am - 12pm
(Plus a 2 week school holiday playgroup)
For 2 to 4 year olds £20 per session
admin@littleacornschildcare.co.uk
facebook.com/LittleAcornsPlaygroup
Rosebery Hall, High Street, South
Queensferry EH30 9LL
Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri.
From 9:30am to 12pm. From 2yrs+
£19 per session. (No minimum number of sessions.)
Registered with the Tax-Free Childcare scheme
The Vennel Hall, Smithsland,
South Queensferry EH30 9HU
Mon-Thurs from 9am to 11.30am
£18.50 per session & Mon - Fri 12.30 -3pm.
£46 Full Day: 9am-3pm
(no minimum number of sessions)