Plymouth has a wide range of schools and options for childcare. Find useful information about playgroups, schools and clubs to help support your family.
Schools
Plymouth has a wide range of schools which include:
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Nursery Schools - Children under 5 years of age
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Infant Schools - Children between the ages of 4 - 7
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Primary Schools - Children between the ages of 4-11
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Junior Schools - Children between the ages of 7-11
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Secondary Schools - Children between the ages of 11-16
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Key Stage 4 Schools - Children between the ages of 14-16
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Special Schools - Students with complex learning needs
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Specialist Support Centres - Students with complex learning needs
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Colleges and Training Providers - Children aged 16 and above
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Alternative Complementary Educations - Alternative educational provision complimentary to mainstream schooling
Find out more about schools in Plymouth
Find out about Independent/fee-paying schools in Plymouth
Childcare
Close to Derriford Hospital we have a Happy Days Nursery which offers childcare for children between the ages of 0 to 5 years. They have very close links with Derriford Hospital and its staff, and therefore understand the varying work patterns, pressures and need for emergency care for children of NHS staff. Find out more about Happy Days Nurseries
However, Plymouth has a wide range of childcare providers that look after non-school aged children and school aged children outside of school hours.
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Get advice on choosing childcare that suits you and your child or call the Early Years Team on +44 (0)1752 307450.
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Find a registered childcare provider at the Plymouth online directory
Types of Childcare
Anyone that cares for children under the age of eight for more than two hours a day in England must register with Ofsted, unless they are exempt, to assess the quality of the childcare being provided. Check a childcare provider's Ofsted inspection report.
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Day Nurseries provide full and part time care for children from birth to five years. Some nurseries also offer an out of school service for older children.
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Pre-schools or Playgroups provide sessional care - usually two sessions a day, sometimes with a lunch club - for children between the ages of two and five. They normally open term time only.
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Independent Schools provide nursery education to children aged three and four. Independent schools are owned privately and registered with the Department for Education and Skills, but make their own arrangements on staff numbers, qualifications and curriculum.
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Crèches provide occasional short-term care for children under eight for four hours or less each day while parents are occupied in an activity (such as education, leisure, shopping) on the same premises nearby.
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Home Child Carers care for children from birth to 17 years in the child's own home. Can look after the children of up to two families, wholly or mainly at the home of one or both families (such as a nanny share).
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Registered Childminders work in their home and look after children either all day or before and after school. Some childminders will take children to and from school.
Find more information about choosing and finding childcare
Breakfast, After School and Holiday Clubs
Mainly for children aged four to twelve years.
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Breakfast clubs are usually held at school and are open in the morning during term time. Children can have their breakfast at the club before going on to school.
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After school clubs are usually held at school but can be based away from (but close to) school sites. They're generally open from the end of the school day until about 6pm term time only.
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Holiday clubs are run during most school holidays and are normally offered by an out of school provider.
