Information and Support for Families
Being a parent or carer is rewarding, but it can also bring questions and challenges. This page brings together trusted local and national services offering advice and support to families with children aged 2 to 4 years.
For help choosing the right service, families can also speak confidentially to their child’s key person, the Preschool Manager or the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).
Childcare and Early Education
Funded childcare
Government-funded early education and childcare may be available, depending on your child’s age and your family’s circumstances.
- All 3- and 4-year-olds are entitled to funded early education.
- Eligible working families may receive up to 30 funded hours a week for children from 9 months old until school age.
- Some 2-year-olds receiving additional government support may qualify for funded childcare.
- Tax-Free Childcare can help eligible families with childcare costs.
Eligibility rules, application deadlines and the way funded hours are delivered can change. Check your entitlement through the Best Start in Life website and read the local guidance on childcare funding in Cambridgeshire.
Cambridgeshire Families Information Service
The Families Information Service provides free, confidential and impartial information about:
- Finding registered childcare.
- Funded childcare and help with childcare costs.
- Childcare for children with special educational needs or disabilities.
- Local family activities and support services.
Telephone: 0345 045 1360
Email: fis@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Online: Childcare and early learning
Family Hubs and Parenting Support
Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres and Family Hubs offer information, activities and support for families. Services may include:
- Stay-and-play sessions and children’s activities.
- Parenting advice and courses.
- Support with children’s behaviour, sleep and development.
- Help with family relationships and emotional wellbeing.
- Advice about money, housing, employment and accessing other services.
Families can search for suitable services and current activities through Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres and the council’s parenting and family support pages.
Health and Development
Health Visiting Service
Health visitors support families with children under 5. They can advise on:
- Growth and development.
- Eating, nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
- Sleep, toileting and behaviour.
- Speech, language and communication.
- Parenting and emotional wellbeing.
- Concerns about a child’s health or development.
Telephone: 03000 295050
Text: 07520 649887
Online: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy Child Programme Cambridgeshire Family Hubs
For medical advice, families can also contact their GP, pharmacist or dentist. Use NHS 111 online or call 111 when medical help is needed but it is not a life-threatening emergency. Call 999 in an emergency.
Speech, language and communication
Children develop communication skills at different rates. Parents who are concerned about their child’s speech, understanding, interaction or communication should speak to:
- The child’s key person or Preschool SENCO.
- The Health Visiting Service.
- The child’s GP.
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough children’s health services.
The NHS children’s health website provides local information about children’s development and services.
Families can also self refer to the SALT service by completing a welcome questionnaire, which can be found on their website: https://www.cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/services/cambridgeshire-childrens-speech-and-language-therapy-service/early-advice-sessions/. Once the form is completed it should be sent to: ccs-tr.slt@nhs.net.
Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
Parents and carers sometimes need support with low mood, anxiety, stress, loneliness or other emotional pressures.
- Keep Your Head provides local mental-health and wellbeing information for people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
- How Are You Cambridgeshire and Peterborough helps residents find activities and local sources of wellbeing support.
- Parents can also contact their GP for advice and access to appropriate services.
- Samaritans can be contacted free at any time on 116 123 by anyone who is struggling or needs someone to listen.
- The CPFT Perinatal Mental Health Team supports mums and
mums-to-be who are experiencing, or are at an increased risk of experiencing, mental health challenges during the perinatal period from conception, through pregnancy and up to one year post-birth. Perinatal Service | CPFT NHS Trust - ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. They want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK ANDYSMANCLUB – It’s Okay To Talk
- MIND The Mental Health Charity offer support through a range of service and local offers. Support varies depending on the local offer available. We’re Mind, the mental health charity | Mind
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Financial and Practical Support
Families experiencing financial difficulty can find information about benefits, food, housing, energy costs and other practical assistance through:
- Cambridgeshire County Council – support for families
- Citizens Advice
- Healthy Start, which may help eligible families buy milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula.
- Child Benefit
- Universal Credit and childcare costs
Families facing an immediate problem should speak to the Preschool Manager, their health visitor, a Family Hub or Citizens Advice so that the most appropriate local help can be identified.
Activities, Play and Learning
Talking, singing, sharing books, exploring outdoors and playing together all support children’s learning and development.
The free 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five programme suggests enjoyable, low-cost experiences that support children’s confidence, language and curiosity. Find out more through 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five. Cambridgeshire Family Hubs
Local libraries also offer children’s books, rhyme sessions and family activities. Current opening hours and events can be found through Cambridgeshire Libraries.
Safeguarding and Family Safety
If you are worried that a child is being harmed, neglected or is at risk, contact Cambridgeshire Children’s Social Care.
- During office hours, contact the council’s Children’s Services team.
- Outside office hours, use the council’s Emergency Duty Team.
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
- Current reporting routes and telephone numbers are published on the council’s safeguarding children page.
Families affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence can find confidential local support through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership. In an emergency, call 999. If calling is unsafe, mobile callers can press 55 when prompted to use the Silent Solution.
Support at Caldecote Preschool
Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to us if they have questions or concerns about their child’s:
- Learning and development.
- Speech, language or communication.
- Behaviour, emotions or relationships.
- Health, toileting, eating or sleep.
- Attendance or family circumstances.
- Transition to primary school.
Caldecote Preschool have an open door/’if in doubt, shout’ policy and will always endeavour to support families to the best of our ability. We have a breadth of experience and knowledge between us and can signpost families to the right support services where appropriate.
Services, opening times, eligibility rules and contact details can change. Families should check the linked organisation’s website for the latest information.