Parents information

Need a little help but don’t know where to turn?
Here we hope to point you in the right direction to find the answers you need.

What is Sure Start?

Sure Start is the Government's programme to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support. For more information visit the About us section of this website.

What is Parent Know How?

Parent Know How is a suite of services from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, designed to deliver better outcomes for children and parents. It aims to ensure parents have access to the information, advice and guidance they need to support them in their parenting. For more information about the services launched as part of the Parent Know How programme, see the Parent Know How pages at Every Child Matters.

Can I get help with childcare costs?

You may be entitled to financial help via child tax credits. Tax credits can help families with children or those who need help paying for childcare. Nine out of ten families with children are eligible for the new tax credits.

Find out if you are eligible for child tax credit

Alternatively, why not take a look at the Inland Revenue website or the DirectGov website?

Who qualifies for the Sure Start maternity grant?

If you are on a low income you may be entitled to a maternity grant. Find out more in our 'Maternity grant' section.

Can I get a free part-time early education place for my child?

The Government funds local authorities to ensure a free part-time early education place is available for every three and four year old in settings that have been inspected by Ofsted and found satisfactory in terms of quality.

Visit our section on free early education places for more details.

Read about our Code of Practice on the Provision of Free Nursery Education Places for Three and Four Year Olds

Where can I get advice and information on childcare?

Our Looking for childcare? booklet explains childcare and early education choices for parents, and offers advice on how to arrange childcare.

Visit the 'Looking for childcare?' section of the website to find downloads of the booklet and supplementary information.

You can also contact your local Children’s Information Services or ring the national helpline on 0800 0 96 02 96 (lines open 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am -12pm Saturdays)

Visit the ChildcareLink website for details of registered childcare and related information.

Does childcare need to be registered?

Most childcare for children under the age of eight must be registered by Ofsted. Childcare for children aged eight and over, and childcare for children aged under eight that is provided in the child's home or is activity based, is not required to be registered. However, it is now possible for such care to be registered on the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register (OCR) if it meets the requirements. Care that is provided directly by a school is not applicable to be registered on the OCR. Some childcarers may still be approved on the Childcare Approval Scheme (CAS), which is being phased out following the introduction of the voluntary part of the OCR.

If you wish to claim financial support through working tax credits or employer supported childcare vouchers you must use eligible childcare. Any childcare that is registered by Ofsted, approved on the CAS or provided directly by a school is considered eligible childcare.

What constitutes good childcare and why is it important in the early years?

In our ‘Birth to three matters’ section you will find information and a series of downloads tailor-made for childcare practitioners and the training of those who train them. As a parent they should give you a useful insight into good childcare practice and theory.

Need help choosing a primary or secondary school?

Visit the Parents Centre’s website for help in choosing a suitable school for your child.

What should my child expect from the national curriculum and school life?

Visit the Parents Centre’s website for more information.

How is funding for the provision of free places allocated to local authorities?

From 2006-07, the funding for under 5 provision, along with all pre-16 provision will be provided through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), which will be a grant provided to local authorities to fund educational provision, in all types of provider. This will include PVI providers offering free early education. The DSG will be a ring fenced grant for education purposes, although local authorities will retain autonomy over how it allocates its spending over the age range. The Government has long taken the view that it is a matter for local authorities to determine the most effective use of resources at local level. This includes the balance between under fives and over fives; primary and secondary.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient free places for every three and four year old whose parents want one. They are also responsible, in consultation with local delivery partners, for determining the rate at which providers will be funded for delivering the free place and the arrangements for making associated payments.

Working Families Organisation

Working Families can offer advice and support to parents who work, or wish to work through their freephone helpline, 0800 013 0313.

They offer advice on rights at work, benefits, and how to apply for flexible working. Visit www.workingfamilies.org, where you can dowload posters, free factsheets.