National childcare contacts

This list contains national contacts that may be able to offer advice or support. To search for local organisations look under Local Contacts.

British Association for Early Childhood Education (BAECE)
Provide support, advice and information on best practice for everyone concerned with the education and care of young children from birth to eight.
Tel: 020 7539 5400
www.early-education.org.uk

One Parent Families/Gingerbread
Provide factsheets and a confidential helpline service to lone parent families as well as keeping organisations up to date with lone parent
issues.
Tel: 020 7428 5400
www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk

Parent Line
Provide a volunteer run helpline service to anyone caring for children of any age and facing difficult issues of their own or with their children.
Tel: 020 7284 5500
www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Working Families
Provide practical advice and information to all parents, careers and employers to find a better balance between work and home responsibilities.
Tel: 020 7253 7243
www.workingfamilies.org.uk

The Daycare Trust
Provide a free information service to parents on childcare in the context of a child’s needs and their parents’ employment, training and support needs.
Tel: 020 7840 3350
www.daycaretrust.org.uk

National Children’s Bureau
Provide advice and information on policy, research and best practice to the children’s sector to promote the voices, well being and interest of children and young people.
Tel: 020 7843 6000
www.ncb.org.uk

Council for Disabled Children
Develops and promotes co-operation between voluntary and professional agencies concerned with children and young people with disabilities.
Tel: 020 7843 1900
www.ncb.org.uk/cdc/

National Childminding Association (NCMA)
Provide training, information, and advice on childcare issues for people wishing to become childminders, registered childminders, children, parents and daycare officers.
Tel: 0845 880 0044
www.ncma.org.uk

National Day Nurseries Association
Provide advice on good practice, develops training and support programmes, and reviews registration and inspection procedures.
Tel: 01484 407 070
www.ndna.org.uk

Scottish Childminding Association
Provide support to its members on best practice and how to attain it Also campaign at government level for the resources necessary for a high quality childminding service.
Tel: 01786 445 377
www.childminding.org

Scottish Out of School Care Network
Provide information and advice to individuals, organisations and local networks across Scotland.
Tel: 0141 564 1284
www.soscn.org

Scottish Pre-School Play Association
Provide advice, support and training on issues of good practice to community led providers of pre-school education, childcare services and parents.
Tel: 0141 221 4148
www.sppa.org.uk

The Pre-school Learning Alliance
Provide practical support, advice and information to 15,000 early years settings, and actively promote parental involvement in all areas of their work.
Tel: 020 7697 2500
www.pre-school.org.uk

4Children
Provide support and information to parents, children’s centres, extended schools and all childcare and play provisions, to ensure that parents and children are receiving the support they need in the community.
Tel: 020 7512 2112
www.4Children.org.uk

National Association of Toy and Leisure libraries (NATLL)
Provide support to existing toy and leisure libraries and promotes the importance of play in order to encourage new ones.
Tel: 020 7255 4600
www.natll.org.uk