We can deliver boxes of books to your group, entertain your children with stories and rhymes, or help you choose from our range of books – all free of charge.
Playgroup book box exchange scheme
Playgroups can borrow a box of 25 pre-selected books, exchanged two times a year. We can deliver directly to you, or you can exchange them at your local library.
Ask your library for a registration form. We will let you know when your first book box is ready.
If you prefer to choose books yourselves, ask for our under fives group ticket instead.
Each playgroup box includes a carefully chosen variety of books.
- Board books – for very young children, where shape, colour and texture are as important as content.
- Rhymes – help children develop language skills.
- 'Joining in' books – action rhymes, lift-the-flap, pop-up and noisy books.
- Story books – stories to read aloud to groups, stories to be shared with one or two children, or picture books without words for the youngest.
- Non-fiction books – develop thinking skills and introduce new ideas.
- Books for parents and carers – covering aspects of childcare and children's reading.
Childminders cannot borrow playgroup book boxes.
Under fives group ticket for playgroups and childminders
This lets you borrow 25 books of your choice for 12 weeks. Just complete a registration form at your local library and get your ticket straight away.
Childminders need to bring their childminder registration to get a group ticket.
Storytelling packs for disabled children – Bag Books
You can borrow storytelling packs for children with learning disabilities or visual impairment from our libraries, or request a special storytime. Find out more about storytelling packs for children with learning disabilities.
Storytime visits
Playgroups as well as parent and toddler groups can arrange for storytime or rhymetime sessions at a usual meeting place or in the library. Children love these special sessions, which are hosted by trained staff.
Read about our regular rhymetimes and storytimes.
Bookstart at playgroups
Playgroups and pre-schools also take part in the distribution of free books to three and four-year-olds as part of the national Bookstart scheme.
Books available from the Childminding Network
You can also borrow special collections of books from the Childminding Network.
These ‘Book Ahead' collections are in addition to loans from libraries, so you don't need to be a library member to borrow them. All you need to do is visit one of the network's drop-in sessions and ask for a Book Ahead bag. When you have finished with the books, just put them back in the bag and return them to the Childminding Network.
For more information about getting these books, please contact your local Childminding Co-ordinator.
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East Sussex County Council