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If you haven’t yet sorted out childcare to cover you for the half term holidays, do not forget you can find information on out of school clubs and OfSTED registered childminders on our Family Information Directory.
Alternatively, you can call us on 01724 296629 or email fis@northlincs.gov.uk to request a personalised list of what’s available in your area.
We can also give advice on help you might be entitled to with paying your childcare costs.
For example, have you heard of Tax Free Childcare? Unless you earn over £100,000 per year then most parents are eligible for it and it can pay for 20 per cent of your holiday childcare costs!
Find out more on our Help with childcare costs web page and apply on the Childcare Choices website.
If you are on a low income, your child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or is adopted or in foster care and they will turn two on or before 31 March 2020 then you could be entitled to up to 15 hours of funded childcare per week from after Easter.
The online application portal will open for new applications on 19 February and here you can also find a full list of the eligibility criteria.
If you are unable to complete the application online you can request an assisted application face to face from your childcare provider or local Children’s Centre or over the phone by calling the Family Information Service on 01724 296629 on or after 19 February. You will just need your basic contact information and national insurance number to hand.
Your child does not need to attend for the full 15 hours a week if you do not wish them to and they do not need to be out of nappies to attend a nursery or pre-school. Attending a childcare setting is great for helping them to develop their learning and social skills, make new friends and can give you more time to work, train or get the shopping done alone.
Don’t qualify for two year funding?
If you are not eligible for the two year funding why not look into Tax Free Childcare which could still pay for 20 per cent of the cost of a childcare place or if you are on Universal Credit then you can claim up to 85 per cent of your childcare costs back through your online Universal Credit account.
What about three and four year old's?
If your child will turn three on or before 31 March 2020 then you are automatically eligible for up to 15 hours of funded childcare a week (term-time only) from the summer term. To secure your child’s place just choose a childcare provider and put their name down for a place after Easter. There is no application process and every child is eligible.
If you are a single parent who works, or in a couple where both of you work and earn at least £131 each then you could double your funding to up to 30 hours a week by applying to the Government. You must do this by 31 March to get the funding starting after Easter and then re-confirm your eligibility every three months. Why not also apply for Tax Free Childcare at the same time as this can pay for up to 20 per cent of any extra costs you still have to pay for on top of your funding such as extra paid hours, snacks and so on.
North Lincolnshire schools break up on Friday 14 February for the half term holiday. Coming so soon after Christmas and with the weather hard to predict, it can be difficult to know what to do to entertain the kids.
Our Children and Young People’s Activity Guide has lots of ideas for free and cheap activities across the county for all ages.
In January we welcomed two more Parent Champions to our scheme.
We now have seven trained Parent Champions able to speak to other parents about accessing childcare, help with childcare costs and local support services for families. As they have all used these services themselves within their families they understand the questions and concerns other parents might have and are keen to share their own experiences.
If you attend a local toddler group or activity then look out for a Parent Champion visiting your group to answer questions and hand out information.
If you run a group yourself and would like a Parent Champion to pop in and speak to parents and carers then contact us on 01724 296629 or email caroline.woolley@northlincs.gov.uk.
Barton and Keadby Children’s Centres are offering free mini first aid sessions during half term.
A 90 minute fun and interactive class designed especially for a parent or carer to attend with their child (6 to 11 year olds)
Includes: Responding to an emergency, CPR, dealing with choking and a practical approach to treating injuries
Barton Children’s Centre session is taking place on Tuesday 18 February 1.30pm to 3pm.
Keadby Children’s Centre session is taking place on Friday 21 February 10am to 11.30am.
There are limited spaces available so please book early to avoid disappointment and you can contact Clare on 07717588059 or Jacqui on 07717587152 for more information.
North Lincolnshire is looking for adoptive parents. We are looking for people who can make a real difference to the children we care for. Do you think you are who we are looking for?
We know that making the decision to adopt is one of the biggest steps that anyone can take but it is also one of the most rewarding. We would like to hear from people who can offer time, commitment, patience and a loving and stable home. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ adopter and we want people who have different experiences and different things to offer. This is to reflect the various different ages and needs of the children we are family finding for.
We welcome all applicants over the age of 21 years including married couples, couples living together in a stable relationship, same sex couples living together or in a civil partnership and single applicants.
We welcome interest from those who live in North Lincolnshire and from those who live outside of North Lincolnshire. We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, class, culture, disability, race or sexual orientation.
To find out more why not go along to one of our regular adoption information evenings? Dates and times can be found on our website.
You could also make a difference to a child’s life by becoming a foster carer. Find out what is involved with fostering on our fostering web page and when you can attend the next fostering information session.
Take time out to de-stress, relax and unwind in the calming surroundings of the Lavender Room. Recharge your batteries and face the rest of the day with renewed energy and vitality.
Relaxation therapies help your body release those feel-good hormones that make you feel happy inside.
Beauty treatments, reflexology and types of massage including Indian head, Shiatsu or back, neck and shoulder all available.
Appointments in the Lavender Room are available to anyone however, prices are substantially reduced for carers. Treatment prices are £10 for carers and £15 for non carers.
Call 01652 650585 for more information or to book your appointment today!
Treat yourself – you are worth it!
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