Other Useful Links

Whether you need help finding suitable childcare or want to know what else is out there for parents and parents-to-be, the following links may help.

Please note the links and websites found here do not imply Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust’s endorsement, they are purely a selection of organisations which you may find useful and supportive throughout your pregnancy and parenting process.

Adoption UK http://www.adoptionuk.org – a national charity run by and for adopters to provide self-help information, advice and support on all aspects of adoption.

Ask Sid http://www.asksid.net – the Sheffield Information Directory for children, young people and family services, developed by Sheffield Information Link to support children, parents, carers, professionals and young people, all FREE of charge.

Bookstart http://www.bookstart.org.uk/ – a national programme that encourages you to enjoy books with your child from as early an age as possible, offering free books to all children before starting school to inspire, stimulate and create a love of reading and show that books are fun.

Bounty http://www.bounty.com – ‘the UK’s favourite parenting club’ with advice, friendship and support at all stages from pregnancy through to when your baby becomes a toddler.

Breastfeeding Network - http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk – an independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women and those involved in their care.

Child Benefit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/index.htm – Child Benefit is a tax-free payment that you claim for your child, this site has more information about it.

Childminder Q+As – click here – Trust leaflet with questions you might want to ask when looking for a childminder.

Dad Info http://www.dad.info – a brilliant online information bank for dads, with everything you need to know if you are about to become or are already a dad.

Daycare Trust http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk – the national childcare charity working to promote quality, affordable and accessible childcare for all, with information for parents, childcare providers, employers, local authorities and policy makers, as well as professional training courses for those working in the childcare sector.

Day Nursery Q+As – click here – Trust leaflet with questions you might want to ask when looking for a day nursery.

Direct.gov http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/parents/index.htm – information for parents including help with childcare costs, maternity, parental rights and a handy search engine for schools, nurseries and family services in your area.

Emma’s Diary http://www.emmasdiary.co.uk – in association with the Royal College of General Practitioners, which means the site contains the very best in-depth medical advice to help guide you through pregnancy, parent-hood or just for getting general family advice.

Fatherhood Institute http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org – ‘the UK’s fatherhood think tank’, they are there to help you harness the full potential of fatherhood with news, training information, policy updates, research findings and guides to support fathers and their families.

4Children http://www.4children.org.uk – the national charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for all children.  From children’s centres to extended schools, childcare to play provision, parenting support to support for young people, 4Children delivers and supports innovative children’s services so that all children and families get the support they need in their community.

Gay and Lesbian Parents http://www.stonewall.org.uk/at_home/parenting/2629.asp - information about rights to family leave and pay for gay and lesbian employees.

Gay and Lesbian Step-parenting http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/family/stepfamilies/step_gayparents.shtml - advice from the BBC website on gay and lesbian step-parenting.

Gay Dads Guide http://www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/a_guide_for_gay_dads.pdf - a Stonewall guide for gay dads.

Gingerbread http://www.gingerbread.org.uk – a registered charity for single parents containing factsheets, helplines and links to other relevant organisations.

Inland Revenue http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits – for information and guidance on tax credits.

Let’s Go With The Children http://www.letsgowiththechildren.co.uk – your passport to a fun-filled time with your children, helps you find places to go, children’s activities, family attractions, free places, parks, sporting venues, trips and much more in your region.

Maternity Q+As – click here – Trust leaflet designed to answer some of the main questions about maternity rights and pay.

MEND http://www.mendprogramme.org – help for young people and overweight children to become fitter, healthier and happier.

National Childbirth Trust http://www.nct.org.uk – the UK’s leading charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, the Trust (also known as NCT) works to improve the experience of becoming a parent in the UK.

National Childminding Association http://www.ncma.org.uk – website for the national charity that works with registered childminders, nannies and other individuals and organisations to ensure families in all communities in England and Wales have access to quality home-based childcare, with the aim that every child reaches their full potential.

National Day Nurseries Association http://www.ndna.org.uk – website for the national charity and membership association for nurseries, providing support information, advice and childcare training to nurseries so that they can provide the best quality childcare and early learning for children.

Netmums http://www.netmums.com – a unique local network for parents with a wealth of information and advice on being a mum or dad in your home town.

Netmums Guide to Pregnancy for Dads http://www.netmums.com/pregnancy/the-netmums-guide-to-pregnancy-for-dads - Netmums guide for perplexed dads-to-be with tips for expectant dads.

NHS Discounts http://www.nhsdiscounts.com – save money on utility bills, holidays, insurance and days out, register today for exclusive benefits as an NHS employee.

Ofsted http://www.ofsted.gov.uk – Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education and they regulate and inspect to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.

One Space http://www.onespace.org.uk – website with support and information for single parents.

Paying for Childcare http://www.payingforchildcare.org.uk – a website from Daycare Trust set up to help you understand the different types of financial support you may be able to receive to help with your childcare costs, including a handy tax credit checker and tax credit calculator.

Pregnancy.co.uk http://www.pregnancy.co.uk/ - for all things pregnancy-related, they pride themselves on being the best pregnancy information site in the UK

Pregnancy Care Planner http://www.nhs.uk/planners/pregnancycareplanner - interactive pregnancy planner created by NHS Choices to help you if you are planning to have a baby, are already pregnant or your new baby has just arrived.

Pre School Learning Alliance http://www.pre-school.org.uk – a leading early years membership organisation and the fourth largest provider of childcare in England.

Sheffield International Venues (SIV) Family http://www.sivltd.com/family - useful website with details of children’s activities available at SIV sites across Sheffield, including fitness classes, ice skating, swimming lessons, kids’ camps, parties and coached activities.

Tax Credit Calculator http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/questionnaires.htm – check if you qualify for tax credits with this online questionnaire on the HMRC website, and use the confidential calculator to see how much you may be entitled to.

 

This page was last updated on 19th February 2013