Ms Irene Gunning, training co-ordinator of the IPPA, says that many playgroups started off in people's homes, evolving in time into community schemes.

Playgroup assistants can earn between £4 and £6 an hour looking after children aged between three and five. "It is in the interests of everyone that we invest in our children in this country and that we have good, qualified people looking after them," Ms Gunning says.

The association aims for a ratio of one to eight for three-year-olds with no playgroup exceeding 20 in number, and at least two adults present in any group.

She says that in response to market forces, playgroups have begun to diversify into full day care and to offering after-school services.