Childcare advice and information

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.

If you run a local group who offer holiday activities please get in touch with us!

     Funded Childcare

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

Reminder from September 2025, eligible working parents are 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.  

The Government's new Best Start in Life website brings together trusted information, advice, and guidance on everything from pregnancy, early education and childcare, right through to starting school, making it easier for parents and carers to find the support that suits them.  Visit the website for  information and guidance on all childcare offerings. Alternatively  Click here to apply for your working family 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

Join us this Autumn at our Family Hubs. Activities taking place include Halloween spooktakular fun at Coseley Family hub and at Dudley Central their Monday Stay and Play will be Halloween based. (Activities will be focused on pre school children but siblings are welcome). Some sessions require prebooking.

Other Hub Activities Taking Place 

Reflexions are hosting a workshop at Stourbridge Family Hub on Thursday 30 October and an introduction to Reflexions webinar on Wednesday 29 October 10am to 11am To sign up email: BCHFT.REFLEXIONS@NHS.NET

St John Ambulance Dudley are working in partnership with Brierley Hill Family Hub to provide FREE sessions teaching basic baby and toddler first aid as well as CPR skills on Friday 14^th November or Friday 5^th and 12^th December at 1.30pm. Please contact the hub on 01384 813322 to book a place.

HAF 

The holiday activities programme (HAF) scheme is not running this half term. However just a reminder that 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.) 

Visit DB Leisure Website to find out about all centre activities.

The school holiday programme runs from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November 2025 inclusive.

There is the usual free swimming for eligible children aged 16 and under, Quid's In Badminton is once again taking place at Duncan Edwards in Dudley and Halesowen Leisure Centres on selected days and times for children aged between 8 and 15 years. Older children can also enjoy a kickabout on our fab 3G pitch during Quid's In football sessions at Dell Stadium, Brierley Hill or try a game of Pickleball at Crystal Leisure Centre, Stourbridge.

Families can enjoy some quality time together at the Waikiki Waves water disco sessions (complete with a live DJ!) at Crystal, Float Fest family adventure session at Duncan Edwards and family fun disability swim sessions which are taking place on various days across all three of our leisure centres. Younger visitors can enjoy under 5s splash sessions at Halesowen, every Friday 9.30am to 11.30am all year round (extra dates added during the holidays check website for details) and stay and play session at Crystal every Tuesday 10am to 11am all year round and Planet Play soft play areas at Duncan Edwards and Halesowen.

Full details on all of the above can be found on the  holiday webpages.

Himley Fireworks

The theme this year is Music through the decades! The display takes place on Saturday 8 November from 4.30pm onwards. 

SEN inclusive groups/information  

          Dudley's Disability register

Dudley Council have revamped its Disability Register to better support children and young people with disabilities and their families. The register is a voluntary and confidential list that helps the council plan and deliver better services, tailored to local needs. It’s quick and easy to register! Benefits include families who register can request a free day pass for entry to Dudley Zoo when attending with their child, receive updates about local services, events, and consultations, help shape services and your registration helps Dudley Council understand the needs of families and improve support.

Visit the Dudley Disability Register page to complete the online form. For help completing the form or to request your Dudley Zoo pass, contact the Children with Disabilities Team: 0300 555 0050 (press option 1) or email: businesssupportcdt@dudley.gov.uk

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 holiday play sessions for children with disabilities and additional needs are available. Their Autumn and Winter timetable can be found here. Contact them via email hello@welovecarers.org or telephone 01384 396626 for further information on any of the above.

Sassy Sensory Surprises invite you to their Family Autumn Wellbeing Walk on Saturday 25th October 2025 at the Walsall Arboretum (Broadway N, Walsall, WS1 2QB), meeting at the Children’s Play Area. It runs from 11:30am to 1:00pm;  The SASSY team will be there from 11:20am to welcome you and sign families in. Previous wellbeing walks for parents and carers have been a huge success with great turnouts and events are now extended to the whole family! Book your spot here. Contact toni@sassysensorysurprises.co.uk for further details.  Information can be found on their website regarding their sensory lending library.

Happy Helping Hands are based in Upper Gornal. Please email happyhelpinghands@aol.com to be added to the mailing list for information on their services. Family play sessions will be run at Sycamore Adventure on Sunday mornings 9.30am to 12pm throughout October. (£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 hosting a Children's Halloween spooky craft and activity club on Tuesday 28 October at Cherry Street SEND hub in Wolverhampton  a Halloween Party/Quiz on 29 October and a Railway walk in Wombourne on Friday 31 October .  Please email: enquiries@beaconvision.org for full details of all events. 

Deaf Children's Society  run a Youth club for children aged 10 to 18 years, held monthly  at Queens Cross Network  for information or this or on any events they run, email dudleydeafchildrenssociety@yahoo.com.for information.

Sycamore Adventure will be open for their inclusive play, family play and bookable Pedal Go Kart sessions this October.  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 

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. 

Activezone run disability sports for children, young adults and siblings. (sessions  takes place for children 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

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 Halloween. 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. 

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.

Libraries

Dudley Libraries will have plenty of activities this October for children and families. For full information on all events visit the libraries Facebook page. Booking advisable for many events.)

Brierley Hill Library is hosting a Halloween costume swap until October 31. Residents can bring in a child's used Halloween costume to exchange for a different one for free, making it a great way to save money and promote sustainability, See staff at Brierley Hill Library for more information.

What's on in the borough this half term?

Spooky Season returns to the Red House Glass Cone this October half term!  Join them for a frightfully fun line up including glass fusing workshops, spooky family trail spooktacular crafternoons …plus a few surprise trick-or-treats along the way! 🕸️

Special Event – Saturday 25 October  Tommy’s Treasures will be launching their enchanting new book “The Glass Cone Gnome”, followed by a spine-tingling Ghost Tour! 

Join Dudley Museum for some spooktacular family crafting.  There will be a selection of spooky dino crafts and a fossil casting!!  After doing your crafts, take a look around the museum and maybe do one of our seasonal trails. 🎃

A Cobweb and Spider Glass workshop will run on Sunday 26 October from 11am to 12pm at Stourbridge Glass museum. Make your own spooky glass art in this creative workshop. Charges apply. Full details can be found at Discover Dudley.

Shows at Dudley's halls include at Stourbridge Town  Hall 'Three Little Pigs' and at the Civic: a Kidz Halloween Party on 30 October.

Join Dudley canal and caverns for 'Canal O Ween' from Sunday 26 to Friday 31 October. Their Monster Halloween Party is a unique family friendly adventure with crafts, creatures and a floating party,  a Halloween evening you won’t forget.

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

Primary Times The October version  contains  local event information and activities taking place this Autumn alongside family focused articles.

The Autumn edition of Raring2go has lots to enjoy across the West Midlands and some money off vouchers inside.

Dudley Zoo

Haunted Hunters - a fangtastic bird of prey display in the eerie undercroft of the 11^th century castle will be at Dudley Zoo and Castle this October. Remember until 28 November KIDS GO FREE. To claim the offer, tickets must be purchased in advance from the zoo’s website.

Black Country Living Museum are running Halloween nights from 6.30pm to 10pm on Sat 25, Sun 26, Thurs 30 & Fri 31 October. The museum will transform into a spine-tinglingly immersive world of ghostly tales, chilling surprises, and old-timey folklore. There will also be Horrible Happenings! from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November. Follow the trail investigate the clues, and see what strange discoveries await you and your family around the Museum’s town.