How the Families Information Service can help you

If you are a parent / carer the Families Information Service (FIS) aims to provide you with access to high quality, accurate and timely information to enable you to make informed choices on the range of different types of childcare available to you. The FIS holds information on registered and non-registered childcare in the Wakefield district which includes:-

• breakfast clubs,
• childminders,
• day nurseries,
• holiday clubs,
• parent and toddler groups,
• pre-school playgroups 
• wraparound care.

We provide childcare information in a Childcare Report which details the opening times, vacancies, costs, school pick-ups, full contact information, and Ofsted Inspection Grade. To view the most recent Inspection Report for a childcare provider see Inspection Report in Related Links.

Brokerage Service

For parents of children with special needs looking for childcare, the FIS offers a brokerage service, whereby we provide a 'tailored childcare report' after personally contacting the providers to ensure they can look after your child. The Brokerage Service is also available for those parents / carers with complicated childcare requirements, for example shift workers, care needed at short notice, and for those who have attempted to find suitable childcare without success.

Other aspects of the Brokerage Service include helping parents navigate the information available to them, encouraging them to widen their search criteria if appropriate, and checking whether cost is a barrier to finding suitable childcare and ensuring they have taken up all possible entitlements.  For further details of the Brokerage Service see Related Downloads.

How to obtain your personal Childcare Report

If you would like to receive a personalised Childcare Report just contact the FIS Information Team on 0800 587 8042 and we will search for childcare based on your specific requirements, then post, email or fax the report to you. You will also receive information about the different types of childcare, average childcare costs, information on help with paying for childcare which includes Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Childcare Voucher Scheme, Care to Learn and more.

Other Useful Information

To help you make an informed choice see the following booklets '0 to 5 Years', '5 to 11 Years' and '11 to 16 Years' in Related Downloads which are packed full of information and facts along with checklists of useful things to consider when choosing and arranging childcare. 

There are also links to a number of websites for parents / carers including mums, dads and grandparents.

How to make a complaint about childcare

If for any reason you have concerns about a childcare provider and feel it necessary to make a complaint you should in the first instance discuss your concerns with the provider. If you are not satisfied with the response from the provider you can call the Early Years Complaints Line on 0845 6014772.  For more information see Concerns and Complaints in Related Links on the right.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What age can I leave my child at home alone?
A. Parents often wonder when it is safe to leave a child at home alone. The law does not specify an age when a child can be left home alone, however, parents can be prosecuted for neglect if by leaving the child alone they are putting them at risk. 
The NSPCC advises that no child should be left alone under the age of twelve, or overnight under the age of sixteen.

Q.  Leaving a child over 12 at home on their own
A. Age alone is not a sufficient guide to when you can leave a child at home on their own. If you are considering leaving a child over 12 at home alone you should ensure they able to cope in an emergency and know what to do and how to contact the emergency services. It's also a good idea to leave telephone numbers of where your child can contact you.

Q. How old does a babysitter have to be?
A.  There is no legal age for a babysitter. Parents should carefully assess a babysitter under sixteen. Under some circumstances parents can be prosecuted if any harm comes to their child whilst a babysitter under sixteen is supervising them.

Q. When can an older child look after a younger one?
A. You will need to decide whether the older child is mature enough to look after the younger child. If the older child is under sixteen you must be prepared to take responsibility for anything that should go wrong in your absence. You are also responsible for the care and safety of your older child.