This part of the website is dedicated to the childcare providers of the Wakefield district.

HOT OFF THE PRESS
The 2008/2009 Training Directory from Family Services, Early Years Improvement Team is now available for viewing or downloading.  To access the Training Directory see Related Downloads on the right.

What does the Children's Information Service do for you?

The Children's Information Service (CIS) provides information to parents and carers on all registered childcare provision in the Wakefield district.  We send out childcare reports to parents and carers which details information on providers in the areas they have requested.  For parents looking for free nursery education places for 3 and 4 year olds we provide a parent information pack which lists all the Voluntary, Independent and Private providers eligible for Nursery Education Funding.  In these ways we are helping to promote your services to potential users.  Also we have a website called Childcare Link where we display those providers who have given permission for their details to appear on the website.  The website is searched regularly by parents looking for childcare, and in April 2006 there were 6,661 hits some of which may have been for your setting.  Are your details on the website?  If yes are you happy with the content of your record?  If not, contact the CIS and we can amend it for you.

Another service we provide for you which is completely free of charge is that of advertising your Job Vacancies.  We publicise the vacancy on our Childcare Link website which is visited by people looking for a career in childcare.  To increase your chances of successfully filling the vacancy the Recruitment and Retention Officer mails out job information every week to those who have contacted the CIS wanting to work in childcare.

It is important to note that the CIS is impartial and does not promote one type of care or provider above another.  Information on how we work can be found in our Statement of Service located in Related Downloads on the right.

Keeping your information up to date

The CIS has a duty to provide parents with information which is as up to date and as accurate as possible.  To ensure the information we hold on your setting is up to date we conduct an annual provider audit whereby we send you a copy of the information we currently hold and ask you to make amendments if necessary.  However, you can contact the Information Team at any time with updated information, for example, your current vacancies, changes to hours etc.

We also receive Ofsted updates every two weeks on new providers, closed providers and information on changes to registration, for example an increase/decrease in the number of registered places.

Third Party requests / Data Protection

The CIS works in partnership with other agencies in promoting the Every Child Matters agenda, we will therefore give information about providers in response to legitimate requests which would contribute to that aim, for example, schools promoting Children's Centres.  We will also provide information to a third party where there is a legal requirement to do so, for example, Inland Revenue.

Information will never be knowingly given to a third party where it can be used for commercial gain or profit.  It should be noted that information about childcare providers is open to public scrutiny and is in the public domain through other sources, for example, Ofsted Inspection Reports. 

Handling Concerns or Complaints

In the event that a parent or carer calls the CIS with a concern or complaint about a childcare provider we advise them to speak to the provider in the first instance then follow the Ofsted guidance detailed in the Concerns and Complaints document in Related Links.  Under no circumstances does the CIS share information about concerns or complaints nor do we retain any of the information.

Human Influenza Pandemic

The Health Protection Agency in Wakefield has issued a warning about concerns that a new flu virus with pandemic potential will emerge and spread.  Whilst experts cannot predict when this might happen they believe the consequences will be serious.  To enable childcare providers to be prepared for the flu pandemic the Department for Education and Skills has produced guidance for childcare and early years settings entitled 'Planning for a human influenza pandemic' which can be viewed through the Flu Pandemic link on the right.