Childcare

Choosing the right kind of childcare is an important and very personal decision; the best type of childcare for you depends on your family situation.
The different types of provision may seem confusing without adequate information. We aim to ensure that you are able to make an informed choice, knowing that you have considered all options available.

The big childcare choices are Childminders, Day Nurseries and Out of School Childcare Clubs. In addition, Playgroups and Cylchoedd Meithrins offer care and activities for pre-schoolers, often only for part of the day.

Any provider of a service in which children under 8 years old are looked after for a period of two hours or more must register with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) in accordance with the Children Act 1989. Further information about minimum standards can be obtained from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales. Some settings may have gained quality assurance awards. You may wish to check this with individual providers.

There are a wide variety of Childcare and Early Years Education settings. More details of these can be found in the appropriate section of this website. Your local Children's Information Service will be able to offer advice and guidance on all childcare issues.

For further information regarding registered Childcare within Blaenau Gwent please contact The Family Information Service on freephone 08000 32 33 39 or e-mail us at fis@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Related Links

CSSIW: Care and Social Services In Wales
Visit their web site

Tax Credits: HMRC
Visit their web site

Related Documents

CSSIW: Care and Social Services Inspectorate in Wales
http://www.csiw.wales.gov.uk/index.asp

Tax Credits: HMRC
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/

Related Documents

Take a look at some of these documents that are relevant to this section.

PDF Choosing Childcare in Wales (PDF, 1310.86kb)
Word File Choosing a Pre-School Playgroup or Cylchoedd Meithrin (DOC, 12885.50kb)
Choosing Holiday Childcare (DOC, 12883.50kb)
Choosing a Day Nursery Fact Sheet (DOC, 12883.50kb)
Choosing a Childminder Fact Sheet (DOC, 12887.50kb)
Choosing a Nanny Fact Sheet (DOC, 12892.50kb)
Word File Choosing a Creche Fact Sheet (DOC, 12881.00kb)
PDF Help with Childcare Costs (PDF, 12881.00kb)
What is working Tax Credit (DOC, 51.00kb)
What is Child Tax Credit (DOC, 10.00kb)

Playgroups

Playgroups offer a safe and stimulating play environment for the under 5’s.

Cylchoedd Meithrin

Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (MYM) is a national voluntary organisation of Welsh-Medium playgroups (Cylchoedd Meithrin), parent and toddler groups, and nurseries

Day Nurseries

Day Nurseries provide care and education for children from as six weeks to pre-school five year olds.

Creches

This page is being updated. We're updating the site on a regular basis, so please check back soon!

Parent & Toddler Groups

Parent and toddler groups are mainly for children under two years of age accompanied by their parents/carers throughout the session. Groups provide a happy, safe and stimulating environment for children to meet, socialise and play.

Registered Childminders

The National Childminding Association (NCMA) is the only national charity and membership organisation that speaks on behalf of registered childminders in England and Wales

Out of School Childcare Clubs

Out of School clubs are flexible and children can attend full-time or whenever spaces are available.

Dads Club

Calling all dads!!!
Join us at the ICC every Saturday for the dad's and Toddlers group.

Integrated Children's Centre (ICC)

The Heart of the Valleys Integrated Children's Centre (ICC) is based in Blaina and offers a variety of services.

Job Alerts

Are you looking to work with children?

Would you like a career in Childcare?

If you are qualified in childcare why not register your details with us on the Job Alert system...

When vacancies are available we will send you a Job Alert e-mail.

Click Here to Register for Job Alert Emails

Jobs within Childcare can also be found at these sites:

http://www.clybiauplantcymru.org/english/vacancies.asp
http://www.ncma.org.uk/training/essential_training.aspx
http://walesppa.org/recruitment.aspx
http://www.mym.co.uk/index.cfm?alias=jobvacancies

Food and Health Guidelines

The food that children eat in their early years affects their health later in life, with breastfeeding being the first step on the way to a lifetime of healthy eating.

Wrap Around Nursery Provision

Torfaen County Borough Council is inviting expressions of interest from experienced and established childcare providers to provide a new wrap around childcare provision for children aged three and four years in accordance with demand from parents.

Working in Childcare

Fancy a career working with children & young people check out this page

Your views of childcare

A survey for parents and carers by Blaenau Gwent EYDCP

Do you need help paying for your childcare fees?

Are you working with families with children of aged 0-10 years and feel they to could benefit from sending their child(ren) to a quality registered setting in Blaenau Gwent?

Festival Dragons (2011)

It’s Summer Time!!!!
Are you looking for excellent, reliable and flexible childcare for the Summer Holidays?

Festival Dragons Holiday Club at Waunlwyd Youth Centre is open throughout the Summer come rain or shine. We have lots of exciting activities on offer every day in a lovely setting run by qualified, trained staff.

Links to other toddler sites