Funded Childcare

Final phase of childcare expansion: get 30 hours childcare – apply now!

The deadline to apply for a code or renew existing (if needed) is 31 August to use from 1 September.

From September 2025, eligible working parents will be able to access 30 hours of funded childcare a week, for 38 weeks of the year, starting from the term after their child turns 9 months old until they begin school.  

Visit Childcare Choices for further information on all offers or Click here to apply for your childcare code.

Other existing childcare support includes:

'Time for Twos' offers 15 hours of funded childcare for families of two year olds who either receive some forms of support or have SEN - Contact FIS for support with application.

All three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare and working parents of three and four year olds can claim 30 hours.

Wraparound - children aged 4-11 years, across Dudley from September can access paid for before and after school childcare if they do not already, this is known as Wraparound Childcare. Childcare providers and schools can receive a grant to help them set up new wraparound childcare, expand the places they already offer or extend their hours of operation from 8am until 6pm, term time only.

For more information about the wraparound childcare grant and how to apply please email wraparoundchildcare@dudley.gov.uk for more information.

Family Hubs

Our Family Hubs are open this Whitsun, pop into your local hub, register and receive a free activity box (While stocks last). For information on all sessions and support available please contact your local hub directly.

 Holiday Activities and Food  (HAF)

Dudley HAF will be back this summer! Please remember you will need to be signed up and approved for Free School Meals to book, this can be done via Dudley's website.

If you have any queries, please contact - enquiries@hafdudley.co.uk

Visit DB Leisure Website to find out about all school holiday activities.

Activities include free swimming again for children from Saturday 24 May to Sunday 1 June inclusive. (Children will now have to be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or above.) Waikiki Waves Family Disco takes place at Crystal Leisure Centre and Planet Soft play at Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre and Halesowen Leisure Centre.

Under 5s Splash Time is held at Halesowen Leisure Centre, every Friday 9.30am to 11.30am all year round and Under 5s Stay and Play takes place at Crystal Leisure Centre every Tuesday 10am to 11am all year round  Pre-booking not required, normal admission prices apply.

'Quids in' will be available at the Dell Stadium over Whitsun, Monday 26 to Friday 30 May, 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 4pm. Cost: 8 - 15 year olds can play for only £1 and 16+ year olds can play for only £2.

Himley under 5's is back and bigger than ever this year! Entertainment includes a small petting zoo, Lego, giant tortoises, a funfair, a quiet space with SENstation a giant sandpit and much more!

There will also be free taster sessions throughout the day from lots of providers and businesses.

For information on this and other events taking place at Himley Hall in May including their outdoor cinema showings visit their website.

SEN inclusive groups/information

We love Carers provide support for carers and their families all year round. Information, advice, signposting, advocacy, help with form filling and much more. Weekly play sessions and summer holiday play sessions for children with disabilities and additional needs.                                                        Crafty Carers are running an event on Saturday 24 May and a Jubilee family party is taking place on Wednesday 4 June 9am to 5pm. 

Do you have a child with an EHCP going to specialist or mainstream school in September? We Love Carers are holding a school transition event on Friday 13 June from 10am to 2pm at the Mary Stevens Centre in Stourbridge (DY8 2JR)

Other school transition sessions are being held at the centre for September starters see poster for dates for each school.

Contact them via email hello@welovecarers.org or telephone 01384 396626 for further information on any of the above.

Happy Helping Hands based in Upper Gornal are open for respite care this half term, parents /carers are welcome to email happyhelpinghands@aol.com to be added to the mailing list for more information. Family play sessions are run at Sycamore Adventure on Sunday mornings 9.30am to 12pm. (£4 per child) 

Kids are a charity who create life-changing opportunities by providing a wide range of support to families. They run playscheme days at their centre alongside community days for signed up families. Parent/carers wishing to refer or register with Kids for care planned services can do so by requesting a referral form via the enquiries email: enquiries.orchard@kids.org.uk or via telephone: 01384 897489.

The Beacon centre are running lots of different ad hoc activities/outings in May and some prebook able dates in July; they can also offer support with visual impairments. Please email: enquiries@beaconvision.org for full details. 

Deaf Children's Society run a Youth club for children aged 10 to 18 years, held once a month (usually the 3rd Thursday) at Queens Cross Network, Dudley, 6pm to 8pm at a cost of £3 per session. Email dudleydeafchildrenssociety@yahoo.com.for further information.

Sycamore Adventure are once again, amongst other activities running their inclusive play sessions over Whitsun, Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 May 10am to 3pm, £5 per child. See website for full dates and how to book.

Dudley leisure centres are all-inclusive, encouraging everyone to access as many sessions as possible. Our centres offer quiet and disability sessions for children and adults. Accessible facilities are available throughout each of the leisure centres, family fun disability swimming sessions run throughout the holidays, details below:

Halesowen LC: Saturday's from 2.15pm to 3.30pm

Crystal LC: Friday's 2pm – 4pm (last admission 2.45pm)

Duncan Edwards LC: Quiet swim - Wednesday 2.40pm to 3.50pm or Family fun disability swim Saturday's 1.15pm to 2.15pm

Duncan Edwards and Crystal Leisure Centre are also running STA’s Rockhopper Swimming lessons, this is the most comprehensive and progressing programme for people aged 3 to 15 years with disabilities. 

SEN sessions can be  accessed at Planet Play suitable for children under 11 years of age with disabilities, special educational needs, ASD and their siblings. Sessions take place during the holidays at Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre every Wednesday 5pm to 6pm and  at Halesowen Leisure Centre, every Monday 4.30pm to 6pm. (This session is unavailable on Monday 21 April - Easter Monday).

Sassy Sensory surprises are launching 'Wellbeing Walks', they will take place in a different location each month. Contact toni@sassysensorysurprises.co.uk for further details.  Information can be found on their website regarding their sensory lending library.

Lifted Spirits provide a safe space for families of children with disabilities and SEN, they meet term time only every Tuesday 9.30am to 11am.

The Odeon and Showcase cinemas will both be hosting accessible and autism friendly sessions this May, films showing include 'Lilo & Stitch' and 'Peppa meets the baby'.

Outdoor Locations

Ekho Collective are hosting another free family fun festival on Saturday 14 June from 12pm to 5pm, followed by a music festival 5pm to 7pm. There will be stalls, activities & refreshments.

Blaze Trails organise free baby carrying and toddler walks, they have one coming up on 30 May at Worfield, join their group for full details.

Other parks to visit include Saltwells Local Nature Reserve one of the largest urban nature reserves in the UK, Jasmine Road Community Gardens  - a wellbeing space including a community café & hub, and Brockmoor Nature reserve a sanctuary for rescued animals and children, under 4yrs go free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Let’s get active in our local parks are also still running FREE weekly outdoor fitness sessions for groups of all fitness levels.

Harry's Café are looking for families who live in Dudley to help on their allotment plot based in Jasmine gardens (Kates hill way).  Activities include planting with children in school hours and there is a big area for shelter for when it rains. Call 07860943520 for details.

The Spring edition of Raring2go has lots to enjoy across the West Midlands.

Team Pumpkin Boxing are offering 'free' breakfast and boxing this Whitsun, between 8.30am and 9.30am for ages 5 to 16 years. 🥊🥊

Primary Times 

This magazine contains  information, regional  news,  local events and activities alongside family focused articles.

Lions ABC based in Brierley Hill are offering free ladies and babies classes (a boxing class for ladies where infants are welcome) on Thursday and Fridays from 11.30am to 12.30pm. They also run  dad's peer groups Monday to Friday 12.30pm to 1.30pm. 

What's on in the borough this half term?

Shows at Dudley's halls include at the Civic: Tom Gates Epic Stage Show, Milkshake Live! and a Whitsun Half term party (£8 per ticket.)

Other events include family glass fusing seagulls on sticks (aged 7+) at the Red House Cone and Dinosaur crafts at the Dudley Museum. Full details can be found at Discover Dudley.

For other local events and a 'What's on' guide visit the Dudley Community Directory.

Harry’s Café are open this Whitsun and are hosting a cooking session on Wednesday 28 May where children (3 years+) can make butter and butter milk scones. Booking required, Sessions are 10.30am to 11.45am or 1.30pm till 2.45pm. Visit  their website or call 07860 943520 for details of all events.

Car parking at the Moor Centre is free for 2 hours. Harry’s is 2 doors up from the empty corner shop on the Moor Centre, on the High Street.

Libraries

Dudley Libraries have plenty of free activities for children and families running all week; including Elmer Day on Saturday 24 May. For full information on all events and beyond visit the libraries Facebook page.  Booking advisable for many events.

Visit Dudley Zoo and Castle for 'Love Your Zoo Week' this May.  Also book your tickets now for their Under 5's Family fun days taking place on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June. New for 2025 is a Castle-themed Play Area 'Ow Bin Ya Sands Beach'.

This May half term bring the whole family to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about sweet treats and flavours from times gone by at the Black Country Living Museum from Saturday 24 May to Sunday 1 June.

Remember Under 2s go free and when you buy general admission, you receive a whole year of free daytime returns!