The Essex Family information Service gives free and unbiased information to parents and carers regarding the different types of childcare and family support services available in Essex.

We can help if you are looking for information on Ofsted-registered childcare provision including childminders, pre-schools, private day nurseries and out of school clubs.

We can help if you are looking for information about local support and activities for families. We have all the latest information about Children's Centres, parent and toddler groups and can signpost you to other family support services.

We can help if you are looking for information about local activities for your child to take part in, including sports clubs, music and drama groups, Scout and Guide groups and many others.

If you are looking for registered childcare, whilst we are unable make specific recommendations, we will provide the following information on each childcare provider:

• The name of the provider and contact details.
• The type of provision, including whether or not it is registered, the age range and the number of places catering for children of each age.
• Opening hours, availability during school holidays and ability to provide emergency/short term care.
• The fees charged.
• Ability to cater for children with particular needs, for example, children who do not have English as a first language, or children with disabilities or special needs.
• Ability to cater for children from particular religious or cultural communities, for example, provision of appropriate food.
• Date last inspected by Ofsted.

If you are out and about you may see us at one of the many local community events we attend or the roadshows we host.

More information can also be found on the right of this page under related documents.

Call the Essex Family Information Service free on 0800 055 6874.