• Home
• Learning
• Early Years

• Family Information Service
• Bookstart
• Careers in Childminding
• Careers in Early Years, Childcare and Play
• Free Nursery Education
• Early Years Single Funding Formula
• Training and Development for Practitioners
• Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

The Family Information Service (FIS) provides a free and impartial information and signposting service on childcare and other services that support parents and carers of children and young people up to the age of 20.

We also work with organisations and professionals who support families.

Visit the Bracknell Forest Family Information Directory - a one stop shop for free information on childcare and other services or fill in the Childcare Enquiry Form.

Childcare information

• Lists of childminders, day nurseries, pre-school playgroups, breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday playschemes and crèches in your area
• Details of opening times, costs, school pick ups and vacancies for childcare providers
• Help and guidance when choosing childcare
• Information about help to pay for childcare and information on Bracknell Forest providers offering free entitlement places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds
• Information about childcare settings that are suitable for children with disabilities and special educational needs
• Access to sources of help to cover the costs of childcare
• A brokerage service for families who are finding it difficult to access the childcare they need

Registered childcare

The following childcare providers must register with Ofsted if they look after children up to eight years old for more than two hours a day, for pay or reward. They are inspected regularly to make sure the care they provide meets the National Standards for under 8s and all staff have satisfactory criminal records checks.

• Childminders – care for children usually in their own home, they can cover a wide age range, they are flexible but most work between 8am and 6pm
• Day nurseries – provide care and education in a centre for children aged 0 -5. They generally operate between 8am and 6pm
• Pre school groups – provide education and some care for 2 - 5 year olds generally in church halls or community centres. They are usually term time only. Sessions from 2 1/2 to 4 hours every day or several days a week
• Nursery schools – early education and childcare in a school setting for 3 – 5 years, some will take children from 2½ years
• Nursery classes - early education and childcare in a school setting for 3-5 years from the term after the child is 3 years old
• Breakfast Clubs, After School Clubs and Holiday Playschemes - for school aged children which may be based on school sites, youth clubs, community centres or nurseries. They generally operate from 8am for breakfast clubs; 3.30pm to 6pm for after school clubs; 8.30am to 6pm for holiday clubs

Non-registered childcare

The following do not have to register but they can choose to go on the Ofsted Voluntary Childcare Register.

• Au pairs - are not usually trained to work with children and have come to the UK to learn English. They live in the home and work for up to 5 hours a day.
• Nannies - are employed by you to provide care for children of any age, usually in the child’s home. They are flexible and can live in or work part time.
• Babysitters - employed by you to provide care for children, usually in the child’s home, many childminders also provide a babysitting service.
• Crèches – these are generally provided on site such as the sports centre for parents attending an activity.
• Activity based care - for example sports, drama, language or arts clubs.

For help in choosing childcare download the Bracknell Forest How do I choose a childcare place for my child (54kb).

--

Print