Childcare
Finding suitable childcare for a child with additional needs can be a real headache. Even though there is a duty on local authorities to provide high-quality, affordable childcare for ALL children, many parents of disabled children struggle to go back to work because they cannot find suitable childcare.
But it's not all doom and gloom. Representatives from the Forum have been working in partnership with officers from Early Years, SNIPS and the Sheffield Childminding Network on a project aimed at improving childcare for disabled children in Sheffield. The project has led to a number of promising initiatives, such as a network of specialist childminders and a pool of 1:1 carers. Read more
Consultations
Useful Links and Documents
- Direct payments for childcare (SNIPS factsheet)
- Information leaflet on specialist childminders and student practitioners (June 2011)
- Map of clubs working in partnership with SNIPS
This map shows all clubs and playcare services in Sheffield that are currently working with SNIPS support to include children and young people with additional needs. Please note that "ASC" stands for "After-school club". Clubs designated as "Range of abilities: Mixed" cater for disabled and non-disabled children, whilst "Range of abilities: Disability specific" means that these clubs can only be accessed by disabled children. Disability-specific clubs predominantly provide short breaks services. However, SNIPS may be able to arrange places for childcare if the club has sufficient space. Please contact SNIPS for more information.
Skool's Out is part of the Burton Street Foundation’s range of services. They can provide a support worker to support individual children and young people aged 8 to 18 years. This service is available to parents and carers who are working or in full time education, and includes collecting your child from school, taking your child to participate in activities, and meeting you at home or at a rendezvous point. Childcare can be provided up to 7pm, during term time only. Parents pay £3.25 per hour plus any additional costs for transport and activities.
A guide for parents of disabled children returning to work, published by Working Families
This factsheet, published by the Daycare Trust, gives information about finding childcare for children with disabilities and/or special educational needs, including sources of financial help available.
Ready Steady Go groups are weekly "stay and play" groups for pre-school children with additional needs/developmental delays.