Childcare sites

ChildcareLink
National childcare information website.

The Office for Educational Standards (OFSTED)
This government office regulates educational and childcare establishments.

Daycare Trust
Information on childcare options - where to find childcare and how to pay for it.

Department for Education and Skills (DFES)
The organisation responsible for regulating childcare and education.

Pre-school
Information on pre-school provision.

National Childminding Association
Information on choosing a childminder, support for childminders and drawing up contracts.

4Children
Information on out-of-school clubs and playschemes in your area.

Raising Kids
Website for parents which covers child health, education, parenting, safety, travel and family finance.

Money and benefits
Department for Work and Pensions
This department gives support and advice to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.

Inland Revenue - working and child tax credits
Information on working and child tax credits. Apply online or call 0845 300 3900 for an estimate of entitlement or 0800 500 222 for an information pack.

Department for Education and Skills - student support
Information on help available to students who want to go into higher education.

HM Revenue and Customs - child benefit
Provides benefits to people bringing up children under 16 years and up to 19 years if studying full time.

Special needs

Autism Medical
A charity dedicated to identifying the causes and biochemical effects of autistic spectrum disorders.

Contact a Family
Support for parents and carers caring for children aged 0-19 with a disability.

Ealing Help
A website for parents/carers of children with disabilities in the borough. Its main purpose is to provide information on services available and enable sharing of ideas and advice.

Family Fund
Helps families caring for a severely disabled child by giving grants and services to complement what is available locally.

Intuition Parent Partnership, inclusion and mediation services
Independent organisation and charity that provides services for parents/carers, children, young people and adults.

Scope
Information and advice for people with cerebal palsy.

Local Ealing groups
Net Mums
Leisure, education, childcare and employment information for parents in west London.

Ealing 135 Group
A friendly local network run by and for parents and carers in the borough of Ealing.

Working parents
Working Families
Information for working parents.

Equal Opportunities Commission
Advice on parental rights and sex discrimination.

Maternity Alliance
Information on maternity rights issues.

Fathers Direct
Fathers Direct - the UK's national information centre for fatherhood.

General information for parents
Child's Play
Information for parents and ideas and activities for their children.

Desi Mums
Information website for Asian mothers.

Support for childcare providers and carers
National Day Nurseries Association
Support and advice for day nurseries nationally.

4 Children
Information on out-of-school clubs and playschemes in your area.

National Childminding Association
Information on choosing a childminder, support for childminders and drawing up contracts.

National Children's Bureau
This organisation aims to identify and promote the interest of all children - and produces numerous publications including ones about young children in group daycare.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
This body is responsible for developing the National Qualifications Framework of which NVQs are a part.

Support for children and young people
Childline
The UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in trouble or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Lone parents
National Council for One Parent Families
Information and advice for parents bringing up children on their own.

Gingerbread
A registered charity maintained by lone parents offering support to lone parent families.

Lone Parent Helpline
Information and free publications on key issues, including advice on benefits and money matters.

Training
Department for Further Education and Skills
Education, training and career information for young people, parents, students and adult learners.

Learning and Skills Council
Advice on education and training for those over sixteen.

Learn Direct
This site offers hundreds of courses at a time, place and pace to suit you and free advice.

West London College
Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College is one of the biggest centres of further education in the country. Sites located in Hammersmith, Ealing, Acton and Southall.

Employment
Commission for Racial Equality
This body works towards the elimination of racial discrimination and promotes equality of opportunity.

Maternity Alliance
Information on maternity rights issues.

Health
Department of Health
The department produces circulars and guidance including choosing with care and a guide to the general food hygiene regulations.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
This organisation produces publications on topics such as accident prevention in day care and home safety.

National Childbirth Trust
Offers information and support on pregnancy, birth and early years parenting.

Bereavement
Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID)
This group aims to prevent infant death and promote baby health.

Winston's Wish
This organisation provides information, guidance and advice for bereaved children and young people.

Useful links