Does anyone know if you are allowed to go to a primary school (for instance)...?

I think it would be frowned upon to bring your kids to the local school to utilize the play ground equipment while school is in session. It could be viewed as a distraction to the students in cl, plus if a recess comes out then you will be fighting your little one off the playground equipment and away from potential playmates that they will want to befriend. Way to much headache for me. My daughter plays t-ball and the coach called our local grammar school and requested permission to use the ball field for practices. As for a non affiliated group being allowed to use school equipment would probably vary state to state, and possibly even county to county due to insurance purposes. (If your kid falls off the monkey bars and breaks his leg the school doesn't want to take the risk of a law suit.) The best advice I can give is to call the school you are interested in taking your child to and see what their policies are. Also try scouting public parks in your area.