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Dudley Family Information Service
Summer Newsletter 🌞
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Childcare advice and information
We hope you like our new look Family Information Service logo 😊
Come and see us in person this summer at Dudley Council's/Sycamore Centre's Play week running on the following days:
Tuesday 5 August - Silver Jubilee Park, WV14 9SZ
Wednesday 6 August - Mary Stevens Park, DY8 2AB
Thursday 7 August - Priory Park, DY1 4EU
Friday 8 August - Dell recreation ground, DY5 4NE
Saturday 9 August - Huntingtree Park, B63 4HY
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Dudley Family Information Service (FIS) is here to help and support families across Dudley borough.
Below you'll find lots of useful information regarding Childcare, holiday activities and other advice for families.
To find out what registered childcare is available in your area including childminders, nurseries and playgroups visit the FIS website , call 01384 815796 or email.
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Summer Holiday Schemes
Monday 21 July- Friday 29 August 2025
Paid for school holiday clubs take place across the borough. There are a number of clubs registered with Ofsted and parents / carers could potentially get tax-free childcare to help cover the costs of these.
There are also holiday sports/activity clubs which are not registered with Ofsted. Children under 5 years old can't attend unregistered clubs for more than four hours a day.
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Funded Childcare
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.
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Family Hubs
Free summer fun at our Family Hubs pop into your local hub and join in with the activities on offer. Some sessions require prebooking.
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HAF is back for the summer!
The holiday activities programme (HAF) scheme running from Monday 21 July to Friday 29 August is now open for bookings, offering a range of fully funded activities, you're eligible to register for HAF if the following applies: You live in Dudley or your child goes to school in the Dudley Borough, your child is aged between 5 and 16 years and your child is eligible for benefits related free school meals (or some other vulnerable groups).
You can register your child via the HAF website. (To book sessions for your children you must be registered.)
This year there are 10 SEND specialist providers and 10 targeted 12 - 16 providers. You will have 16 credits to use over the summer period, but they will be released in 2 stages to make booking fairer for everyone, please see the attached pdf for details of sessions available.
Some providers are also offering paid places please contact FIS on 01384 815796 to enquire about these.
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Visit DB Leisure Website to find out about all school holiday activities.
Activities include free swimming again for children from Tuesday 22 July to Sunday 31 August 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 (extra dates added during the holidays check website for details) 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.
Junior intensive swimming lessons are taking place at Crystal and Duncan Edwards leisure centres over the summer holidays, see their webpage for details. The lessons are suitable for non or weak swimmers and will take place in the learner or 25m pool.
Dates: Monday 21 July to Friday 25 July
'Quids in' will be available at the Dell Stadium over the summer, Monday 21 July to Friday 29 August, 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. (Appropriate football boots required).
Get active for less this summer with new Quids In’ badminton sessions at Duncan Edwards and Crystal Leisure Centres from Tuesday 22 July to Friday 29 August on selected dates and times - exclusively for 8 to 15 year olds! Play for just £1. Equipment is available for a refundable deposit at the centres. See website for full days and times.
If you want to keep your little ones busy over the weekend, why not try out Planet Play soft play areas, you will find them at Duncan Edwards and Halesowen leisure centres.
As the weather warms up and we head into summer, DBS Leisure are helping to Spot the dangers and share top tips on water safety
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☀️Summer Wellbeing ☀️
Dudley Council's Public Health have produced a booklet with tips on keeping sun safe, safe swimming and food safety this summer.
If the weather takes a turn Family Corner have written an article on the joy of rainy days and share ideas on how to make the most of the wet weather.
Cheap Fun for Everyone!"
Looking for fun ways to keep the kids entertained without spending a lot of pennies? try these activities below:
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Nature Scavenger Hunt - Look for feathers, smooth stones, or yellow flowers in your garden or local park.
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Shadow Drawing - Trace the shadows of toys or leaves as the sun moves.
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Bubble Trails - Add food colouring to bubble mix and let kids chase and pop them on paper for colourful art.
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Chalk Art & Hopscotch - Great for motor skills and number recognition.
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DIY Paintbrushes - Make brushes from twigs, feathers, and grass for texture painting.
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Backyard Splash Zone - Fill a washing-up bowl with water and add cups, ladles, and sieves or make a Mud Kitchen - Use old pots and pans for pretend cooking with mud, leaves, and petals.
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Toy Car Wash - Set up a mini wash station with sponges and bubbles.
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Outdoor Story Time - Create a reading nook under a tree with cushions and favourite books.
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Sensory Blanket Adventure - For babies, place safe household items on a soft blanket for tactile exploration.
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Dance Party in the Garden - Play favourite tunes and let them wiggle and giggle.
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Instrument Parade – Make shakers from rice in bottles or bang pots like drums.
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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 are available.
Book for this summer's sessions either via HAF or if you are not registered with HAF there are paid places available at £15 per session.
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 have shared details of their planned opening times for the summer holidays. They will also try their best to accommodate other dates where possible. Please email happyhelpinghands@aol.com to be added to the mailing list for more information. Family play sessions are also 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 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 are running a competition for members to design a thank you card to give/send to the people who support them. If you are good at art or have an idea for a thank you card, then please send your A4 size design via the email address below. Entries to be received by end of July. (Please ensure your name, age and an adult’s contact number is included with your entry.) The winner will receive a gift voucher as a prize and a copy of their card as a keepsake - all decisions are final. For information on their Youth club for children aged 10 to 18 years, held monthly at Queens Cross Network or on any events they run, email dudleydeafchildrenssociety@yahoo.com.for information.
Sycamore Adventure are once again, amongst other activities running their inclusive play, family play and bookable Pedal Go Kart sessions over the summer, commencing 22 July. See website for full dates, how to book and the full information on Play week running Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 August.
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
Duncan Edwards LC: Wednesday 2.45pm to 4.30pm or Saturday's 1.15pm to 2.15pm
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 25 August ).
Activezone run disability sports for children, young adults and siblings. (sessions are for aged 5 to 8yrs or 9 to 18yrs) Children can take part in various sports, see the below web pages for dates available at each leisure centre:
Crystal Leisure Centre
Duncan Edwards
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 Summer. Showcase cinemas are also running mini movies sessions for toddlers to let your little ones discover the magic of cinema with a selection of tot friendly movies.
Unheard Voices are a SEND carers support group run by parents to help other parents and carers. They meet up term time on Fridays 10.30am to 12pm at Jubilee Hall, Ladies Walk, Sedgley. DY3 3UA or Thursday evenings (term time) at Humbugs café in Sedgley 6pm to 7.30pm. Email unheardvoices13@yahoo.com for further information. See poster below for details of their first birthday celebration.
Hoult's House based in the Rye Market Stourbridge run SEND Sessions on Monday and Tuesdays from 2.245pm to 4.15pm, low level sound and limited numbers.
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Outdoor Locations
Ekho Collective based in the beautiful setting of Hawbush Gardens, Brierley Hill, is a wonderful setting open to parents and families.
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.
Brockmoor Nature reserve a sanctuary for rescued animals and children, (under 4yrs go free when accompanied by a paying adult.) are hosting an outdoor theatre version of The wind in the willows on Tuesday 12 August - see website for details.
Let’s get active in our local parks are also still running FREE weekly outdoor fitness sessions for groups of all fitness levels.
Top Church Training are running free lottery funded family sessions in Marsh Park, Brierley Hill from 11.30am until 1.30pm on the following Thursdays: 24, 31 July, 7,14,21 & 28 August. No booking required but if bad weather is expected, to check the activity is going ahead please call 07808788626 or 07860943520.
Wall Heath Tennis Club are offering tennis and other sporting activities to children aged 5 upwards this summer. Visit their website for more information and to sign up to their summer camps. They have a fantastic family membership on offer which gives great discount for all camps and allows the whole family to book courts for FREE.
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Advice/Information
Visit the one stop shop for parenting support including online parenting courses.
Speech and Language UK have a resource library for Families, their pages have been written by therapists based on the most frequently asked questions from families.
Dudley Council’s new site makes it simple and fun for parents and carers to pack healthy, tooth-friendly lunchboxes for children aged from 2 to teens with easy portion guides and balanced meal ideas. For more information about planning family meals, please visit Healthy Dudley.
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust run Workwell a service providing early intervention for people experiencing barriers to gaining or retaining employment due to health conditions or disabilities. They also support families and individuals with SEND, helping them navigate the transition into or back into work. This includes tailored guidance for young people approaching employment age
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Kooth offers free, safe, anonymous mental health support for young people aged 11-25 and is funded by the NHS. There is no referral process, and importantly no waiting list or threshold a young person needs to meet. Children and young people can access support for ANY issue they may be experiencing. Qualified counsellors are online 365 days a year. Monday to Friday, from midday until 10pm and weekend 6pm until 10pm. As well as chatting to our qualified counsellors on the text based service, young people can message the team 24 hours a day, access our fully-moderated support forums, online magazine and other self-help tools. |
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Libraries
Dudley Libraries have plenty of activities this summer for children and families. For full information on all events visit the libraries Facebook page. Booking advisable for many events.)
This year's Summer Reading Challenge is the “Story Garden”
Let imaginations bloom! Dudley Libraries are hosting the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging children to dive into books and explore magical stories. The challenge starts on Saturday 5 July, visit their website to get rewards, play games, and earn badges as you read.
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What's on in the borough this half term?
Shows at Dudley's halls include at Stourbridge Town Hall a 'Pop Princess Party' and at the Civic: a groovy puppet Ultra Violet show and a 'Summer kidz party' (tickets from £7).
Various craft activities will be taking place across the Dudley during the school summer holidays including Family Fast Fusing: Iced Lollies, Family Glass Fusing - Boat Suncatcher, Funky Flower Tile at the Red House Glass Cone. Full details can be found at Discover Dudley.
The artisan craft studios at the Cone have different types of craft workshops you can take part in too and Dudley Museum at the Archives is open Thurs – Sat, 10am to 4pm and the Red House Glass Cone is open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm and Saturday & Sunday 11am to 4pm.
For other local events and a 'What's on' guide visit the Dudley Community Directory.
Himley Hall are running a summer family sports day on Thursday 24 July from 1.30pm to 3pm, Entry is free. Don't forget their new woodland play area is also open. (Car parking charges apply)
Harry’s Café - Run family events over the holidays, check their website for details. 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.
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Money Saving Central website, are once again providing information if you are looking for somewhere where kids can eat for free or at a reduced cost this Summer. Visit their website to find out more. |
Primary Times The latest version of this magazine contains information, news, local events and activities alongside family focused articles to do over the summer.
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The Summer edition of Raring2go has lots to enjoy across the West Midlands and some money off vouchers inside.
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Stroll around Dudley Zoo and Castle this summer with six wild weeks of animal-themed fun from 19July – 31 August. From towering giraffes to cheeky meerkats, they're turning up the temperature with a new hot-climate animal in the spotlight every week. Expect thrilling keeper talks, hands-on activities, and wild adventures for the whole family! New arrivals include a lioness and painted dogs.
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Every Friday night in August, Black Country Living Museum are extending their opening hours until 8pm and what’s more, entry after 4pm is only £8.49 or even better, if you have a valid membership or UnChained Annual Pass, it’s free!
Remember Under 2s go free and when you buy general admission, you receive a whole year of free daytime returns!
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