Useful websites for the family

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Parents & Childcarers

Suggested Sites
Sites We Like
Other Useful Sites
Childcare Vouchers
Shopping
Agencies
Directories

Dependent & Eldercare

Useful Sites

Suggested Sites

ACAS

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.

BBC - Parenting

Your options when choosing childcare, plus help when paying.

Care Inspectorate

The Scottish commission for the regulation of care.

CSSIW

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.

Daycare Trust

The Daycare Trust is the leading charity, campaigning for affordable childcare for all.

Department for Work and Pensions

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.

Directgov - Work and Families

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.

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Covers all issues relating to maternity and parenting and also gives clear advice about eligibility requirements to request flexible working.

Fatherhood Institute

The Fatherhood Institute's vision is a society that gives all children a strong and positive relationship with their father and any father-figures; supports both mothers and fathers as earners and carers; and prepares boys and girls for a future shared role in caring for children.

HM Revenue & Customs

Information and guidance: about tax and NICs exemptions on childcare or childcare vouchers.

Nanny Share - meet families - share childcare costs

Helping you meet nearby families to share the costs of childcare. Get in touch with families in your local area with similar childcare needs, so that together you can share, save money and get the childcare you need.

NICMA

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.

Ofsted

The governing and regulatory body for all nurseries and childminders in England and Wales.

PACEY

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.

Paying for Care

Payingforcare.co.uk 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.

REC

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 - Childcare & Nanny Agencies

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:

• Nanny DBS / CRB / PVG Check
• Nanny Reference Check
• Creating a Nanny Job Advert
• Nanny CV Vetting
• Nanny Employment Contract

Tinies Creches - Mobile Creches for Weddings, Parties & Events

Tinies Creches help you to include guests' children on your special day. They deliver fun, safe creches & activity workshops for children of all ages - making sure both the children & adults enjoy their day.

• Wedding creches in the UK
• Event nannies
• Babysitters nationwide
• Childcare for events

Women and Equality

Information and guidance: about tax and NICs exemptions on childcare or childcare vouchers.

SCMA

The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) promotes childminding as a quality childcare service.

Work Smart

Maternity Alliance gives advice to pregnant women and new parents.

Sites We Like

all about you

A women's UK lifestyle website, that offers childcare advice and support.

BBC Kids

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.

Counselling Directory

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.

Disabled Parents Network

A membership organisation run by and for disabled parents. They operate a Peer Support Register that is open to all disabled parents, circulate a Newsletter to members and run a Support Service which is operated by disabled parent volunteers.

Everywomen

The UK's premier community site for women offering impartial information and advice, expert opinions, resources and services to women.

Early Years Educator Magazine

EYE magazine is the leading monthly magazine for early years' professionals. The magazine was launched in May 1999 as a voice for and nursery nurses. Each issue of EYE consists of a potent mix of a practical project and poster, a themed supplement, a range of professional articles, debate and opinion, book reviews and resources.

Find-A-School-UK - Private Schools

Find-a-School.co.uk enables parents to locate private schools in the UK that are most suitable for their children. You can search by County or Post Code and then refine the search further by type, gender and day or boarding schools.

GreatDad

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.

Gurgle

A social networking site for parents from Mothercare.

Morton Michel

Insuring childcare providers since 1964.

Mumsnet

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.

Netmums

Unique local network for Mums (or Dads), offering a wealth of information on both a national and local level.

Parents in Touch

Guidance through all stages of education and child development.

School Choice International

School Choice International helps families select the best schools for their children wherever they relocate in the world.

Supernanny

A parenting website which offers expert advice and articles on all aspects of family life, a thriving forum, competitions and a directory which is full of useful parenting contacts.

Working Families

Working Families helps children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work.

Other Useful Sites

Babylicious

An award-winning range of frozen baby & kid's food that tastes just like you made it yourself. Babylicious and Kiddylicious meals use high quality, wholesome ingredients like those you'd find in your own kitchen cupboard. No salt, sugar, additives or preservatives.

Baby Sensory

Baby Sensory classes provide hundreds of simple activities designed to stimulate the senses and help with your baby's development.

Jo Jingles

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.

Jobs4mothers

An online job board for mum's looking for flexible part-time work nationwide

Kidz Craft

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.

Kids Days Out

Information on day's out for children throughout Britain, with details of wheelchair access.

Mad Academy

Provides lively music and movement classes for preschool children. Mad Academy combines fun, songs and high energy dance with carefully structured learning.

Out of School Alliance

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.

Parenta Nursery Management Software

Abacus is award-winning nursery management software that provides nurseries with a comprehensive solution for their administration tasks.

Preschool Learning

Activities, free lesson plans, kids games online, healthy preschool snacks, coloring pages and other resources for parents & teachers.

Primary Times

A comprehensive what's on/what to do/where to go guide for parents of primary school children in the UK and Ireland.

Purple - The Childcare Partner

Free childcare services - Purple provides childcare providers of all shapes and sizes with services designed to help improve their business.

TIPS

Founded by Sharon Trotter, author of Breastfeeding: the essential guide. This site provides evidence based advice for parents on breastfeeding, baby skincare, cup feeding and lots more.

Tumble Tots

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.

Work Life Balance Centre

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.

Working Mums

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.

YogaBugs

Fun and creative yoga classes for children aged 2 to 7 years old.

Childcare Vouchers

Accor Services

The childcare voucher scheme that's easier for everyone. Making life/work better.

Computershare Childcare Vouchers

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.

Early Years Vouchers

Their site provides information on the benefits of childcare vouchers to employers, carers, nurseries and working parents.

My Family Care Vouchers

With a reputation for innovation and excellent customer service, My Family Care Vouchers' schemes are rather better than the average, reinforced by a ethical low fee and 100% client retention. Allsave vouchers joined forces with My Family Care in 2008 to launch the new service - and My Family Care now has a complete family friendly employee benefits offering under one roof.

Sodexho Pass

Schemes are usually operated through a salary sacrifice arrangement... find out more information.

Shopping

Adventure Togs - Children's Outdoor Clothing

Outdoor clothing and waterproofs for children, families, schools and playgroups.

The Baby Catalogue

10% off all products for mum and baby, from newborns to toddlers! The one stop 'baby shop'.

Baby List

Babylist is a unique advisory and supply service. They help new parents to source and select the right equipment for their new born babies finding what is the safest and most suitable for them.

Bebebel

Pre-order all your baby and toddler holidays essentials online and have them delivered to your holiday destination before you arrive. Buy online from their huge range of UK baby products.

Early Learning Centres

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.

Ethical Babe

Offers Organic, Natural & Fairtrade products for Babies & Children.

Fuzzykids

Range of children's clothing, accessories and gift ideas.

Labels 4 Kids

Specialises in name labels and name tapes. Great labels for children big and small.

Kids Music Store

A selection of kids cds, kids tapes, kids music tunes and and music for young children available online.

Mini Boden

The well known mail order business and their great catalogue for children of all ages. The website is good too and will give you pictures and update tracking of your order.

Monster Parties

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.

The Naughty Seat

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.

Plush Pants Cloth Nappies

Reusable nappies & a free nappy trial scheme. Advice and help to successfully use washable nappies on your baby.

Tots Planet

Unique Baby Gift ideas, Personalised Baby & Newborn Baby Gifts.

Waterproof World

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.

Young Sounds

Small independent record label/publishing company, dedicated to the production of high quality music for children.

Agencies

Millennium Au Pairs

Agency based in South London, and places au pairs UK-wide, but especially in London, the South East of England & the Home Counties.

Sitters

They offer a National Babysitting service for parents.

Tinies - Find a nanny or nanny jobs in London and nationwide

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

All 4 Kids UK

Directory for parents and childcarers: Useful up-to-date local, regional and national information.

Early Years Online

Earlyyearsonline childcare portal provides a wide range of information for both childcare providers and parents alike. Everything from a childcare directory, forums and recruitment through to training courses and product reviews.

Thomson Local

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.

Up my Street

The real life guide for everything in your local area.

Yellow Pages

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 Dependent & Eldercare Sites

Age UK

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

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.

Department of Health

Information on funded nursing homes: Providing health and social care policy, guidance and publications for NHS and social care professionals.

Directgov

Public services all in one place: Carer Attendance Allowance.

The Pension Service

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.

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