Where can I find out about childcare provision in the area that I live?

You can access the Children’s Information Service for your area via your local council. You can either phone them and ask about the childcare services available in your area (childminders, nanny share schemes, nurseries, playgroups or playschemes for example) or access their website.

Local authorities are obliged to undertake a review of the childcare services that are provided in their area, so they should be able to provide you with the information you are looking for. If you have difficulty locating this information you can go to the National Association of Family Information Services and they will be able to give you the help you need. See www.familyinformationservices.org.uk