Family Information Service
Bedford Borough Family Information
Service provides free and confidential information and advice to
help parents, carers, children, young people and professionals
working with families find the services they need.
Use us to find childcare, youth clubs, sport
and leisure activities, family support groups or services for children with a disability -
in fact, any service which will help you in your family life.
We run a freephone helpline, however if you
would like to meet someone face to face please call us to arrange
an appointment. You can also obtain information on local
services by visiting our online Family Services
Directory.
Childcare and early
education
If you are looking for childcare or an early education place for
your child - we can help. We hold information on all registered
childcare in Bedford Borough including:
We can help parents / carers make the right
childcare choices by:
- providing one to one support, advice and guidance on the
different childcare options available to them either face to face
or over the telephone
- arranging parent / carer visits to various childcare
providers
- showing parents / carers what to look out for when choosing a
suitable place for their child.
We also offer a Childcare Brokerage Service to help parents and
carers struggling to find suitable childcare. This may be
because they work unusual hours or may have a child with an
additional need or disability.
Other services
We also hold information on:
- parent and toddler groups
- sport and leisure activities
- crèche facilities
- local children’s centres
- help available with childcare costs
- local family support services
- signposting to national organisations
- rights as a working parent
- maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave
- support groups and clubs / activities for children with
disabilities
Things to do
We have details of a wide
range of local information including activities - some just for
children to go to, others for parents and children together. If
your child is under 5, children’s centres are great places to go
giving opportunities for your child to play with other similar aged
children and for you to meet other parents. And for all ages
there are many varied activities in Bedford Borough, so whether
your preference is art, music, dance or sport there should be
something for you.
Family support
It is
important to remember that all parents / carers and families need
some kind of help and support at various points in their
lives. Support may come from friends and family, however many
people feel that talking to someone a little distant from the
problem can be really helpful. If you need a helping hand,
why not contact us to find out what services are available.
Our commitment to you
We are
asked many, many questions - some we can answer straight away, but
others may need to be researched further - most are answered within
one working day. In all cases our commitment is: 'if we don't know
the answer, we'll find someone who does'.
Contact Details
Freephone 0800 023 2057
Lines open: Mon – Thurs 8am – 5pm, Fri 8am – 4.45pm. 24 hour
answerphone service
Email
FIS@bedford.gov.uk