Childcare Information for Parents and Carers

Click on a heading below to get more detailed information on each subject. Or contact the Children's Information Service for comprehensive advice and information on finding childcare, working in childcare, paying for childcare, activities, support groups - and much more!

Southampton Children's information Service

• What can Southampton Children's Information Service offer you?

Childcare choices for pre-school age children

• Creches
• Nurseries
• Pre-schools and Maintained Nurseries
• Childminders for pre-schoolers
• Nannies and other home-based childcare

Childcare choices for school age children

• Breakfast Clubs
• After School Clubs
• Childminders
• Nannies and other home-based childcare
• Holiday play schemes

Early Education for 3 and 4 year old children

• The ins and outs of early education
• Conditions of Funding for Nursery Education Providers

Foundation stage education

• Foundation Stage education

Starting school

• The process in Southampton

Good quality childcare

• Advice on choosing a childminder
• Advice on choosing a pre-school
• Advice on choosing a nursery
• Advice on choosing a breakfast club, after school club or holiday scheme
• Investors in Children - Quality Assurance Schemes
• Ofsted

Financial help for parents and carers

• Help for parents of three and four year olds
• Help for students
• Help for working parents
• Help from your employer
• Help for lone parents
• Child Benefit
• Care to Learn for Teenage Parents

Special Needs

• Childcare services in Southampton
• Choosing what is best for your child
• Support for children with special needs
• Opening Doors

Complaints about a childcare provider

• The complaints process

Choice and diversity

• Choice and Diversity

Useful links

• Useful websites