About

Barton Playgroup meets in the grounds of Barton Church of England Primary School. We have very strong links with the school but operate independently of them. A lot of children leave the Playgroup and go on to attend the school.

We are a small and nurturing setting that follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, providing a calm and supportive environment where children can thrive at their own pace. We are inspected and approved by OFSTED. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping every child build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

At Barton Playgroup, we place a strong emphasis on outdoor play — in all weathers! We believe that fresh air, movement, and connection with the natural world are vital parts of a child’s development. We offer weekly Forest school style sessions to explore the local environment. We also offer a wide range of sensory play opportunities, as we know how important these experiences are for building brain connections, supporting communication, and encouraging creativity.

Every day is carefully planned to include fun, hands-on activities that meet each child’s interests and needs. Whether it’s splashing in puddles, painting, building, or simply sharing a story, we create meaningful moments that prepare children for the next stage in their learning journey.

For further details of how we operate, see our Family Information Booklet.

Funding and Fees

All children receive payments from The Early Years Education Funding Scheme for the term after the one in which their third birthday falls. Each child is entitled to 15 hours of funding, which they are free to use at multiple settings. Children of working parents may also be eligible for up to 30 hours of term-time funding, follow this link to find out more. There is also funding available for two year olds, follow this link to find out more. Please do get in touch if you have any questions about fees and funding.

For those who are not eligible to receive funding, or if children attend beyond their funded hours, we charge a fee for each session and Lunch Club attended. The cost for a three-hour session is £20.00 and Lunch Club is £7.00.

If you are interested in joining in the fun, our registration form can be downloaded here. You can also give us a call to arrange a visit, we’d love the opportunity to show you around.