Ragtime was created by Michael Cole and presented by Maggie Henderson and Fred Harris. The programme features play with words, songs, stories and puppets. Puppets made by Joanne Cole emerge from the green Ragtime Bag, including wooden spoons with faces drawn on them. These are named Mr Porridge, Mr Curry, Mr Jelly, Miss Sponge, Mrs Custard, Uncle Casserole and Mrs Ragamuffin. Other puppet regulars include Dax and Sniff (both dogs), Humbug the tiger and Bubble, a cushion-shaped toy.
The music was provided by Peter Gosling and Dave Moses.
The series originally aired between October 3, 1973 and March 16, 1975 over two series and 26 episodes. Although regularly repeated until 1980, only eight remain in the BBC's archive.