Daycare Trust in partnership with The Grandparents' Association

Daycare Trust is very pleased to be working in partnership with the Grandparents' Association to support them in their work with grandparents who provide informal care for their grandchildren. Recent research by Daycare Trust shows that 36 per cent of families get help with childcare from grandparents. This amounts to 4 million grandparent carers in the UK providing almost 10 hours of childcare each week.

Over the next two years we will be contributing to articles for grandparents on http://www.grandparents-association.org.uk/ covering topics such as home learning; communicating with your grandchildren's nursery or pre-school; providing quality childcare at home and understanding the early years foundation stage.

We are also planning a series of workshops for grandparents who provide childcare for their Grandchildren. The events will be open to grandparents, family support workers and children's centre out-reach workers to find out about the work of Daycare Trust and the Grandparents' Association and how to set up a grandparent and toddler group. Lunch and a creche will be provided. If you would like to find out more information and to regsiter to attend an event, please call: 020 7940 7510

For more information visit http://www.grandparents-association.org.uk/.

New website helps students with children prepare for university life

In 2009, the National Union of Students (NUS) conducted the first UK-wide research into the experience of student parents, which highlighted the need for better information and guidance, particularly around student finance. The new website, www.studentparents.org, is a practical response to this, developed by a consortium of organisations, led by education charity BrightsideUNIAID and funded by the Nuffield Foundation.

Studentparents.org provides a range of online information and tools including;

• ‘Jargon buster' to provide clear information about student support.
• Budget calculator with information about financial support and tools  to build their own budget.
• Tips  on preparing for higher education, including time management, childcare options and study skills.
• Case studies from students already balancing higher education with parenthood.

Visit the website for further information:  www.studentparents.org.

Guide for parents of disabled children

Choosing the right childcare can be a difficult decision for every parent, but can be particularly challenging if your child has a disability or special educational need.

Read our new guide which aims to set out what should be available and will take you through your childcare options. There are tips on choosing the right childcare and guidance on what support your local authority should offer you. It looks at the financial help available for childcare costs, including funding specifically for disabled children.

Get your copy now!

Discounted holidays for families

Sign up to Haven Fun & Fitness and you can SAVE up to 50%* on Haven family holidays!

Save up to 50% on selected breaks during April, May, June, September and October and save up to 35% on selected breaks during July.

Save up to 20% on selected breaks during August and during ALL School and Bank Holiday periods.

To find out more about the scheme and to sign up, visit the Haven fun and fitness website now!

Support our Childcare Charter

Despite the major progress made in recent years, too many parents are struggling with the burden of paying huge childcare costs; and too many children are missing out on the high quality childcare that they deserve.

We know that these issues are affecting families up and down the country, in every single MP's constituency. That's why Daycare Trust published a pre-election Childcare Charter, setting out six policies that would provide practical family support and guarantee every child the best start in life. 

As a parent with an interest in childcare you can add your voice to our campaign by signing up to Daycare Trust's Childcare Charter.

Further information.

Prepared to share your childcare experiences? Then join our Parent Panel...

Often, when childcare issues hit the headlines, or when the media are covering our campaigns they want parents to give their perspective, and case studies to tell their stories. We know there are loads of parents out there with both strong opinions and powerful stories about childcare to share, so what we're looking to do now is bring these people together,  train them up as our ‘Parent Panel' and let their voices be heard.

Further information.

Become a member of our Parent Network

If you are you are parent or carer and are interested to find out more about childcare and want to have your say, then why not join our Parent Network - it is free to join.