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 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 at our Family Hubs this December. Activities taking place include Christmas themed play and stay sessions Monday and Fridays at Dudley Central including story telling and arts activities on Fridays with "Powered by can". All free as part of stay and play. All hub sessions are bookable. Information on all hub activities can be found on this bulletin.

All Hubs are closed Christmas Eve until Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January. Brierley Hill and Coseley will be open 9am to 5pm Monday 29 to Wednesday 31 December.

Winter HAF Activities

The holiday activities programme (HAF) scheme is back this winter from Monday 22 December 2025 until Saturday, 3 January 2026. The main dates for activities will be 22, 23, 29 and 30 December- but there will be activities running almost every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Please see Dudley HAF Winter 2025 What's On Guide  for full details of all 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).

Many providers are offering paid places for their sessions this Winter. So, if you are not eligible for HAF but want to attend some sessions please contact the providers directly to check availability. See the What's on Guide to see which providers have paid places available.

You can register your child via the HAF website. (To book sessions for your children you must be registered.) 

   Soft play sessions ONLY £2 with Winter Wednesdays this December!

Slide into soft play at Duncan Edwards, Crystal and Halesowen leisure centres and pay only £2 per child on Wednesdays in December* *Excludes Wednesday 24 December at all centres and Wednesday 31 December at Crystal Leisure Centre. Terms and conditions apply. 

Meet Santa at Halesowen leisure Centre on Saturday 13 December 9.30am to 11.30am. (charges apply but include 2 hours of planet play) last few spaces remaining!

Visit DB Leisure Website to find out details and opening times for all centre activities during the holidays.

Community Events

Santa's grotto is back at Brierley Hill Market! It's £3 to see Santa 12-2pm every Saturday until Christmas and that includes a present from the man himself! Santa will be assisted by a real life Cindy Lou. 

St Michael's Church has Christmas services taking place, including a Christmas Eve service with mince pies and mulled wine after.

Revival fires are supporting the local community by hosting an in person celebration from 1pm to 3pm on Sunday 14 December. You can meet Santa, (children under 10 receive a gift) decorate Christmas stockings & cookies, enjoy refreshments, sing along to carols and receive prayer. Pre book tickets here.

St John the Baptist, Halesowen is open throughout December Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays for their Christmas tree festival and there is live music on Saturday 13 and 20 December, free entry for all.

Upper Gornal Pentecostal Church are organising carols by Candlelight on 21 December at 4pm and so are St Andrew's Church who are also hosting a Blue Christmas Service for those who find Christmas celebrations difficult following the loss of someone (recent or not), this will be on 21 December at 5pm.

SEN inclusive groups/information  

Dudley's Disability register

Dudley Council have revamped its Dudley Disability Register to better support children and young people with disabilities and their families. The register is voluntary and confidential, It’s quick and easy to register! Benefits include families can request a free day pass for entry to Dudley Zoo when attending with their child, receive updates about local services, events, and consultations, and much more. 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

Family Corner have produced an article on supporting your child's sensory needs during the festive period, with tips on routine, activity planning and strategies to support your child.

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

Sassy Sensory Surprises run events through out the West Midlands, contact toni@sassysensorysurprises.co.uk for further details on all events.  Information can also be found on their website regarding their sensory lending library.

Happy Helping Hands are based in Upper Gornal. Please email happyhelpinghands@aol.com to book a place or for more information. They are open 10am to 3pm from Saturday 20 to Tuesday 30 December.  (Excluding 24 to 26) and 10am to 3pm from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 January. Family play sessions will take place at Sycamore Adventure on Sunday mornings 9.30am to 12pm on Sunday 21 and 28 December and Sunday 4 January. (£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 free relaxed holiday club for children and young people living with sight loss on Monday 22 December and Tuesday 17 February 2026. See poster for full details. Please email: enquiries@beaconvision.org for full details of all events. 

Deaf Children's Society  had obtained some January 11 panto tickets for members over the age of 5 years (Tickets for deaf members and a carer are free.) to enquire if any are still available please email Jan at dudleydeafchildrenssociety@yahoo.com.  Their Youth club for children aged 10 to 18 years,  is still held monthly  at Queens Cross Network for information on this or 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 December (excluding BH's) and Santa is coming to visit  on various dates in December. 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 see website for full details.

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. 

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 Christmas. 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 including the CBeebies Pantomime Cinderella.

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 Christmas craft activities this December for children and families. For full information on all events visit the libraries Facebook page.  (Booking advisable for many events.)

Two library elves Elvis and Noel have gone missing at Brierley Hill Library so pop in and help find them. You can also join in their Christmas trail available throughout December and add a bauble to the library Christmas tree.

What's on in the borough this half term?

Take a look round the Red House Glass Cone this winter. The Christmas tree will be on display until Tuesday 23 December and there will be artisan crafts and gifts on sale.

Stourbridge Glass museum is open during winter Thursday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm and see the first restored panel of the Churchill Memorial Screen.  Full details can be found at Discover Dudley. The Stourbridge Glass quarter offer a special shopping experience especially for Christmas. Guided tours, events and craft activities take place across all sites.  Free car parking.

Shows at Dudley's halls include at Stourbridge Town Hall on Wednesday 17 December, The 1951 film 'Scrooge' with a newly orchestrated live score and a candlelight concert at Dudley Town hall on Sunday 21 December. The Civic has an interactive family holiday show, The Grinch: BIG Christmas Steal on various dates.

Join Dudley canal and caverns for Last Letter to Santa until 23 December - A race to get the last letters, including yours to the Sorting Caverns before its too late. Discounted tickets for under 3's.

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

Christmas meal - The Lifecentral Church are hosting a fun family friendly Church service at 10:30am followed by a 2 course Christmas meal at 12:00pm. (3:00pm finish). If you know anyone who will be on their own or is on low income please sign up here.

The Winter edition is due out January but this Autumn edition has information valid until the end of December - Raring2go .

Money Saving Central website, have again updated their information if you are looking for somewhere where kids can eat for free or at a reduced cost this winter.  Visit their website to find out more.

Santa's grotto will be at Dudley Zoo and Castle - Saturday 29 November until Christmas Eve including an after hours grotto on Thursday 18 December from 4pm to 7pm (limited zoo access).