The Children and Young People Information Service aims to provide free, clear and unbiased information about childcare, education provision and a range of other linked support services available for children and young people in South Gloucestershire, their families and carers. The service is provided through:
- A telephone helpline
- Email access
- A drop-in service at the department's offices at Chipping Sodbury and outreach work
- An information website
Every effort is made to provide accurate information. We provide a range of leaflets to help with childcare options and they can be found in the 'Read more' section on this page along with our latest newsletter.
We can provide information about the following:
- Childcare
- Grants and tax credits
- Free school meals
- Working in childcare
- Staff supply scheme
- Training in childcare
- Vacancies in childcare
- Childcare voucher scheme
- Admissions to schools
- Student loans for higher education
- Work-life balance
Regulation - childcare and the law
The Children Act of 1989 for provision for children under eight is the legal framework which sets quality standards in most private and voluntary sector children's services. It aims to make sure that children's interests come first.
The Children Act, as amended by the Care Standards Act, allows Ofsted to operate a registration and inspection system for the following services:
- Day nurseries playgroups
- Private nursery schools
- After school clubs and holiday playschemes
- Childminders
- Creches open for more than 6 days or more per year
For information about the national standards for under eights' day care and childminding and Ofsted information please look at the 'Other websites' section on this page.
Statement of service
The South Gloucestershire Children and Young People Information Service aims to provide free, clear and unbiased information to help parents, carers and others make choices about:
Childcare provision, education provision, employment and training in childcare, work-life balance issues and a wide range of linked support services available for children and young people in South Gloucestershire, their families and carers.
The Children and Young People Information Service cannot recommend or endorse any childcare providers and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy of their information. Also, no responsibility can be taken for the content of external sites to which we link.