If you use any of these fact sheets, please contact us to let us know what you thought, or to request any further information you would like to see.
Choosing Childcare
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. For a list of your local Out of School Clubs, contact SIL.
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. For a list of toddler groups in your area, contact SIL.
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.
What is a Babysitter? - 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 factsheet (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. Sheffield Information Link produces an updated list of schemes prior to each school holiday - contact us to request this. SIL also produces a What's On guide for each school holiday with details of leisure activities for children and young people. Get in touch to request a copy.
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 maybe a charge). Contact us for a list of settings in your area.
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
Factsheet For Dads
A Guide to Flexible Working
A Guide to Employer Supported Childcare
A Guide to Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
Schools
A Guide to Starting School
Disabilities and Special Needs
Information on the SIGN pages of this website includes a Disability Information Pack (fact sheets on a range of topics related to supporting your disabled child) and fact sheets about Down's Syndrome.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding Your Child
Children and Young People's Rights
A Guide to Children and Young People's Rights
Emotional and Behavioural Issues Anxiety and Phobias
A Parent's Guide to Self-Harm in Teenagers
Bullying
Bereavement
Depression
Eating Disorders
Managing Your Child's Anger
Attachment
Drugs and Alcohol
For support, advice and professional consultation on issues relating to Drugs and Alcohol try SHED between the hours of 9am – 5pm Mon – Fri. SHED is a young people's drug and alcohol project in Sheffield, and offers a comprehensive Parent/Carer pack which is full of leaflets and factsheets giving helpful advice and tips on dealing with these issues.
SHED, 91 Division Street, Sheffield, S1 4GE
(0114) 272 9164
Initial enquires can also e-mail jane.mcguigan@turning-point.co.uk
