SIL Factsheets
Finding the information and services you need to support you through all the trials and tribulations of family life can be confusing. In order to support you we have developed a range of regularly updated factsheets containing useful information for parents and carers. From understanding childcare options to more specialist information we’re here to help you make an informed decision for you and your family.
Please note that the information on these factsheets has been developed and updated by Sheffield Information Link. They are a shared resource with First Point (Sheffield City Council).
Choosing Childcare
New Parents, Parenting, Support, Work and Benefits
Schools
Disabilities and Special Needs
Safeguarding
Children and Young People’s Rights
Emotional and Behavioural Issues
Drugs and Alcohol
A Guide to Childcare Options
An overview of the range of childcare available in Sheffield.
A Guide to Day Nurseries
Day Nurseries can provide full and part-time childcare for children aged from 0-5 years. They include private, community, workplace or college nurseries and Children’s Centres. Many of these settings can care for children aged from 3 or 6 months although some only take children over 2. Some offer after school care too. There may be a waiting list. Contact SIL for a list of nurseries in your area. Most nurseries can offer Free Early Learning.
A Guide to Childminders
Childminders are self-employed carers who look after children of any age in the childminder’s own home. They provide flexible care for small groups of children in a domestic setting and can often offer early starts and late evenings. For an up to date list of childminders in your area, contact us. Some childminders working in approved networks are able to offer Free Early Learning – find out more about this from our factsheet, available below.
A Guide to Out of School Clubs
Out of School Clubs can provide childcare for school age children, usually after and sometimes before school hours, during term-time. Further information on Out of School Clubs is available from the Out of School Network. Some Out of School Clubs also run Holiday Playcare schemes.
A Guide to Toddler Groups
Toddler groups are groups where parents, carers and grandparents can meet with their young children. Children are usually aged from birth to 5 years. They provide an opportunity for the children to play and socialise with other children and for the adults to meet and chat. There is usually an area where babies can play too. Groups are usually organised and run by parents and open once or twice a week during term time. They are generally in venues such as church halls, school premises, community or children’s centres.
A Guide to Pre-Schools and Playgroups
Pre-schools and Playgroups provide care, play and education for children under school age. They allow children to socialise with other children, and offer a range of fun activities with lots of opportunity for children to learn and play. They offer sessional care, usually for 2-3 hours a day for children from 2½ or 3 years old to 5 years old during term-time. For a list of your local groups contact SIL. Some groups can offer Free Early Learning.
A Guide to Nannies
Nannies can care for children of all ages in the child’s own home and can provide a flexible form of childcare for working parents. They can ‘live in’ with the family or work in the family home on a daily basis. Home Childcarers are not required to register with Ofsted as other daycare settings are, although they may join the Ofsted Voluntary Register if they wish, so it is important for parents and carers to ensure the Home Childcarer is a suitable person to care for their child. The factsheet includes information about employing a Home Childcarer and contact details of Nanny Agencies.
A Guide to Creches
Creches offer childcare on a temporary or occasional basis for limited periods of time on premises such as a shop or leisure centre. They are often linked to a specific service e.g. sports or retail facility or training course. They provide care usually for children from 6 months to 5 years, but this can vary depending on the purpose of the creche. Some creches require parents to book places in advance while others can be accessed on a more casual basis. Contact us for a list of services.
A Guide to Babysitters
A babysitter is someone who will look after your child or children in your home for short periods of time. It is important to remember that babysitters are not formal childcare and parents need to check their suitability to care for their children. The factsheet includes information about choosing a babysitter and details of babysitting networks.
Free Early Learning for 3 and 4 year olds
The Government gives funding to Local Authorities to provide free early learning places for all children aged three and four. Your child is eligible to claim this from the beginning of the term after their third birthday up until they reach statutory school age. You can claim up to 15 hours per week for up to 38 weeks per year. The Free Early Learning places can be used at a variety of settings on the Local Authority’s Directory of Eligible Providers. The factsheet contains more information about the Free Early Learning and how your child can access this. SIL can provide you with lists of Eligible Providers in your area – contact us to request this.
A Guide to Childcare and Play Provision in the School Holidays
Holiday Playcare schemes can provide a solution to finding childcare in the school holidays for working parents. Schemes are based at a number of centres around the city and places need to be booked.
A guide to nursery classes and nursery schools
Nursery classes are attached to primary schools and nursery schools are separate units with their own governing bodies. Both provide integrated early learning and care for children aged between 3 and 5 years. All provide free part time places during school hours in term time and increasingly many are able to provide additional sessions or wrap around childcare (for which there may be a charge).
A Guide to Registration and Ofsted
Childcare providers are required to be registered with Ofsted. This factsheet contains information about Ofsted and how the registration process works.
New Parents, Parenting Support, Work and Benefits
A Guide to Maternity Rights and Benefits
Information about the financial support available and your rights in law when you become a parent.
Factsheet for Dads
A range of support and resources for fathers.
A Guide to Flexible Working
Information about flexible working options which your employer may offer to help you balance family and work commitments.
A Guide to Employer Supported Childcare
An introduction to childcare vouchers and other schemes which may help you to save money on childcare costs if you are working.
A Guide to Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
Information about government initiatives to support families with children and working people on low incomes.
A Guide to Starting School
Find out when your child will start school and how to apply for a place.
Disabilities and Special Needs
A wide range of information around Disabilities and Special Needs can be found on the SIGN pages of this website.
Safeguarding Your Child
Find out what to look for and what to expect from leisure and childcare settings where you may be leaving your child.
Children and Young Peoples Rights
A Guide to Children’s Rights
Information about the human and social rights of children.
Emotional and Behavioural Issues
Anxiety and Phobias
Information about how to recognise anxiety in children and young people, and how to support them in dealing with it.
A Parent’s Guide to Self-Harm in Teenagers
Information about what self-harm is, why a child or young person may harm themselves and how to support them in dealing with it.
Bullying
Ideas on how to support children and young people in overcoming bullying.
Bereavement
Ideas for how to cope with bereavement while caring for children, and helping children and young people to cope with their own loss.
Depression
Information about recognising depression in children and young people, and ideas for how best to support them.
Eating Disorders
Information about the effects of eating disorders and how to recognise them in others.
Managing Your Child’s Anger
Practical tips for coping with the anger of children and young people, and helping them to manage their feelings appropriately.
Attachment
Information about how the bond between young children and adults is formed.
For support, advice and professional consultation on issues relating to Drugs and Alcohol, contact The Corner project:
The Corner,
91 Division Street, Sheffield, S1 4GE
Tel: 0114 2752051
Email: thecorner.sheffield@cri.org.uk
The Corner is the drug and alcohol service for young people in Sheffield under 19 years old. We offer advice, information, support and counselling around drug and alcohol related issues. Referrals can be made by anyone (self, parents, professionals) by phone, letter or visiting us – however, the young person must agree to the referral. Young people will be offered an immediate appointment whenever possible. We aim to see young people wherever is best for them – whether that is at our office, at school, at home or in the community. We also offer advice and information for parents, carers and other family members; education sessions in alternative education providers, youth clubs and at other projects working with young people; and training and consultancy to other professionals around drugs or alcohol – although we run a set training course every six weeks, we can also customise training to meet the needs of any workplace/team. If you want to know more we run a visitors morning on the first Tuesday of every month between 10-11am.
