Library services for playgroups and childminders
We can deliver boxes of books to your group, entertain your children with stories and rhymes, or just 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 three times a year. We can deliver, or you can exchange at your local library.
Ask your local 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 such as:
- 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. Playgroups cannot have a pre-selected book box at the same time.
Complete a registration form at your local library and get your ticket straight away.
Childminders will need to bring your childminder registration to get a group ticket.
Storytime visits
Playgroups or parent and toddler groups can arrange for a storytime or rhymetime at your 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.
