In the early 1980s, a Mother & Toddler group decided to form a playgroup. A formal constitution was drawn up in April 1983 in association with the Pre-School Learning Alliance - or The Pre-School Playgroups Association as it was then called, and Welwyn Under 5s was in business!

Today, the Playgroup is still run by a committee of parent volunteers - although it has not always been easy to persuade parents to join the committee - but it is vital to ensure the continuance of the Playgroup.

Previously based in The Whitehill Centre at the top of Ottway Walk, the playgroup moved to its present location in 1990. A member of our staff at the time, Shelley Gough (who later became a leader) was also a dinner lady at St. Mary's School. The then Headmaster, John Oates, asked Shelley about the playgroup and she told him about the heating frequently packing up and how time-consuming it was that all the equipment had to be set out and put away in its entirety each day, as the hall was also used by other community groups. Mr. Oates offered an old laboratory building in the school grounds for the Playgroup to rent and we've been in residence ever since!

The Playgroup grew in popularity and so three mornings a week became four - plus a Friday morning Mother & Toddler session. Eventually the playgroup opened for five mornings each week and also hosted Monday and Friday afternoon Mother & Toddler sessions. The Mother and Toddler sessions have proved very popular and are an excellent way of acquainting children with the Playgroup with a parent/carer before they reach that landmark stage of coming along without Mummy or Daddy or childminder. A third afternoon is soon to added.

The ethos of our playgroup has always been for the child to have fun first and foremost whilst making friends and increasing social skills - as well as getting used to a more formal structure in preparation for later educational experiences.

We follow all government guidelines on curriculum and standards of care and are subject to regular Ofsted inspections to ensure that these levels are consistently maintained. Our Prospectus illustrates some of the activities that have taken place - many of which are annual events.