Useful websites

• Teachernet (for information on early years foundation stage)
• DfES (for information on children's centres)
• Surestart Children's Centres

Childcare sites

• ChildcareLink - National childcare information website.
• The Office for Educational Standards (OFSTED) - This government office regulates educational and childcare establishments.
• Daycare Trust - Information on childcare options - where to find childcare and how to pay for it.
• Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) - The organisation responsible for regulating childcare and education.
• Pre-school - Information on pre-school provision.
• National Childminding Association - Information on choosing a childminder, support for childminders and drawing up contracts.
• 4Children - Information on out-of-school clubs and playschemes in your area.
• Raising Kids - Website for parents which covers child health, education, parenting, safety, travel and family finance.

Money and benefits

• Department for Work and Pensions - This department gives support and advice to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.
• Inland Revenue - working and child tax credits - Information on working and child tax credits. Apply online or call 0845 300 3900 for an estimate of entitlement or 0800 500 222 for an information pack.
• Department for Education and Skills - student support - Information on help available to students who want to go into higher education.
• HM Revenue and Customs - child benefit - Provides benefits to people bringing up children under 16 years and up to 19 years if studying full time.

Special needs sites

• Contact a Family - Support for parents and carers caring for children with a disability up to the age of 19 years.
• Family Fund - Helps families caring for a severely disabled child by giving grants and services to complement what is available locally.
• Scope - Information and advice for people with cerebal palsy.
• Autism Medical - A charity dedicated to identifying the causes and biochemical effects of autistic spectrum disorders.

Working parents

• Working Families - Information for working parents.
• Equal Opportunities Commission - Advice on parental rights and sex discrimination.
• Fathers Direct - Fathers Direct, the UK's national information centre for fatherhood.

General information for parents

• Child's Play - Information for parents and ideas and activities for their children.
• Desi Mums - Information website for Asian mothers.

Support for childcare providers and carers

• National Day Nurseries Association - Support and advice for day nurseries nationally.
• 4 Children - Information on out-of-school clubs and playschemes in your area.
• National Childminding Association - Information on choosing a childminder, support for childminders and drawing up contracts.
• National Children's Bureau - This organisation aims to identify and promote the interest of all children, and produces numerous publications including ones about young children in group daycare.
• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) - This body is responsible for developing the National Qualifications Framework of which NVQs are a part.

Support for children and young people

• Childline - The UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in trouble or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Lone parents

• National Council for One Parent Families - Information and advice for parents bringing up children on their own.
• Gingerbread - A registered charity maintained by lone parents offering support to lone parent families.
• Lone Parent Helpline - Information and free publications on key issues, including advice on benefits and money matters.

Employment

• Commission for Racial Equality - This body works towards the elimination of racial discrimination and promotes equality of opportunity.

Health

• Department of Health - The department produces circulars and guidance including choosing with care and a guide to the general food hygiene regulations.
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - This organisation produces publications on topics such as accident prevention in day care and home safety.
• National Childbirth Trust - Offers information and support on pregnancy, birth and early years parenting.

Bereavement

• Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) - This group aims to prevent infant death and promote baby health.
• Winston's Wish - This organisation provides information, guidance and advice for bereaved children and young people.