Suggested Sites
ACAS have very clear information for maternity and parenting issues. They produce easy to understand free leaflets on all major issues relating to work, benefits, entitlement etc. You can also telephone them and ask for advice.
Your options when choosing childcare, plus help when paying.
The Scottish commission for the regulation of care.
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) encourages the improvement of social care, early years and social services by regulating, inspecting and reviewing, and by providing professional advice to Ministers and policy makers.
The Daycare Trust is the leading charity, campaigning for affordable childcare for all.
This is a really good site to find out what are the tax breaks and benefits you as a parent have a right to receive.
Gives advice and guidance on all areas of maternity and family issues you can also get a personalised statement of the maternity leave and pay that you may qualify for, also an interactive calendar to help you plan your maternity leave. It also gives advice on issues such as parental leave.
Covers all issues relating to maternity and parenting and also gives clear advice about eligibility requirements to request flexible working.
Good Care Guide allows families to search for and rate local care homes, homecare agencies, nanny agencies, nurseries and group childcare.
Information and guidance: about tax and NICs exemptions on childcare or childcare vouchers.
The Northern Ireland Childminding Association (NICMA), works to support and develop registered home-based childcare. A voluntary organisation with charitable status, NICMA provides a range of services to support Childminders, parents and children.
The governing and regulatory body for all nurseries and childminders in England and Wales.
The Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years (PACEY - formerly NCMA) believes every child should reach their full potential. They work with registered childminders and nannies, as well as other individuals and organisations to ensure families in every community in England and Wales have access to high quality home-based childcare, play, learning and family support.
Payingforcare.org is an impartial and comprehensive consumer website providing information on all aspects of care funding including local authority assessments, charity helplines and access to professional, properly qualified financial advice.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is the trade body that supports and represents the recruitment industry. REC's Mission is to be recognised as the informed choice of the recruitment community, influencing government and business today for the benefit of Members and the future employment market.
Tinies provide a wide range of childcare services for parents and families. Tinies help nannies and childcarers find their next role in childcare. Are you looking for nanny jobs in London or nationwide? With nanny agencies in London and nationwide, Tinies are the biggest childcare recruiter in the UK. Tinies will help you find a nanny for your family.
If you're not using a nanny agency to recruit, you may want to consider Tinies Nanny Screening Services to run essential checks:
Information and guidance: about tax and NICs exemptions on childcare or childcare vouchers.
The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) promotes childminding as a quality childcare service.
Maternity Alliance gives advice to pregnant women and new parents.
Sites We Like
A women's UK lifestyle website, that offers childcare advice and support.
Fun learning resources for school and at home. The BBC on line site gives you ideas for activities with your children centered around their favorite BBC characters. Aimed at varying ages and always with education and personal development in mind.
Provides the UK with a huge counselling support network, enabling those in distress to find a
counsellor close to them and appropriate for their needs. This is a free, confidential service.
The UK's premier community site for women offering impartial information and advice, expert opinions, resources and services to women.
GreatDad provides Pregnancy Tips and Advice for Expectant Dads. The website also provides Parenting Information for New Dads, Single Dads, and Stay-at-Home Dads.
Insuring childcare providers since 1964.
A wealth of information and helpful advice on all aspects of parenting. Mumsnet is an online network of parents pooling their knowledge on everything from how to get a baby to sleep through the night to the best places to go on holiday with a 5 year old.
Guidance through all stages of education and child development.
School Choice International helps families select the best schools for their children wherever they relocate in the world.
Working Families helps children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work.
Other Useful Sites
First Tutors helps you find the widest range of private tutors in your local area, whilst supplying those able to give private tuition with a platform to advertise the home tuition they offer.
Music and singing classes with an educational slant for babies and children aged from 6 months to 5 years of age (7 or 8 in some areas) in more than 500 centres around the country.
Craft kits for children's craft parties and craft activities. A creative and fun birthday party idea. Kids love to create things. Kidz Craft have an excellent choice of craft party kits.
Information on day's out for children throughout Britain, with details of wheelchair access.
Provides lively music and movement classes for preschool children. Mad Academy combines fun, songs and high energy dance with carefully structured learning.
A one-stop shop for anyone setting up or running an out of school club, providing help and information, template documentation, activity ideas, discounted insurance, newsletters, and online discussions.
Abacus is award-winning nursery management software that provides nurseries with a comprehensive solution for their administration tasks.
Activities, free lesson plans, kids games online, healthy preschool snacks, coloring pages and other resources for parents & teachers.
A comprehensive what's on/what to do/where to go guide for parents of primary school children in the UK and Ireland.
Learning through play, Tumble Tots builds confidence that lasts a lifetime. The leading active physical play centre encourages children to develop physical agility, balance and co-ordination through structured play.
Practical help for people feeling stressed out and trapped on the work treadmill. They help people take greater control of their lives and develop new ways of working and living.
Access to job opportunities that can give you the flexibility to gain a better work/life balance. Part-time and full-time, home or office-based, jobs in all sectors and covering all levels.
Childcare Vouchers
The childcare voucher scheme that's easier for everyone. Making life/work better.
Provided by an experienced and dedicated team to ensure a quality and personable service is provided to employers, employee and childcare providers.
They have a team of staff dedicated to the administration, management and development of Childcare Vouchers. 25 years devoted to childcare - formerly known as Busy Bees.
Their site provides information on the benefits of childcare vouchers to employers, carers, nurseries and working parents.
Shopping
Outdoor clothing and waterproofs for children, families, schools and playgroups.
The familiar name on the high street and the website brings their special offers and great products into your home supplying a wide range of toys directly to your door.
Specialises in name labels and name tapes. Great labels for children big and small.
A selection of kids cds, kids tapes, kids music tunes and and music for young children available online.
Party supplies, balloons, banners, invitations, christening tableware, party bags and party bag fillers, art and craft products, party boxes, party games, hen and stag products, wedding supplies, candles, children's themed party supplies and much more.
Offers a range of positive parenting and children's behaviour products including reward charts, star charts, behaviour charts and time out aids. Search their products and order online.
Quality outdoor clothing for children, including a wide range of waterproofs and wellies, school coats, skiwear and a summer range of wetsuits and UV protective clothing.
Agencies
Tinies provide a wide range of services for parents and families who are looking for child care and for nannies and child carers who are looking for employment. Find a part time nanny job in London or your ideal childcare role today. Tinies are the biggest childcare and nanny agency in the UK.
Directories
Directory for parents and childcarers: Useful up-to-date local, regional and national information.
Search for businesses and services throughout the UK at the Thomson web site, with local information like weather, entertainment listings and ideas of places to visit.
This is Yellow pages online. You can search for services and companies in your area and is as detailed as you need it to be.
Useful Sites
Age Concern and Help the Aged are now Age UK. Age UK has a vision of a world in which older people flourish. They aim to improve later life for everyone through our information and advice, campaigns, products, training and research.
Independent Age is a national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support. They provide personalised, in-depth advice and information.
Information on funded nursing homes: Providing health and social care policy, guidance and publications for NHS and social care professionals.
Public services all in one place: Carer Attendance Allowance.
The Government has set up The Pension Service, which is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. It has been set up to improve the service you receive, whether you are already a pensioner or are planning for your retirement, no matter how far off it might be.
