Your one stop shop for childcare information
Falkirk Childcare Information Service is a telephone helpline for parents, carers, childcare providers, childcare organisations, government departments and children's services. The service provides a wide range of information on childcare provision, pre-school education and childcare issues. Provider details can also be accessed on the Scottish Childcare website|.
Falkirk Childcare Information Service FAQs
What do childcare providers do?
Childcare providers offer a service for children aged between birth and 16 years. These services are Childcare Agencies, Childminders, Crèches, Day Nurseries, Family Centres, Nursery Classes, Nursery Schools, Out of School Care, Playgroups and Private Nurseries. These services vary in age range, opening hours, cost and facilities.
To find out more about each type of provision, and to help you make an informed childcare choice, you can get in touch with us using the details in the Contact Us panel. Alternatively visit the Scottish Childcare website| or view and download leaflets in the Documents box.
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Are there childcare providers in my area?
Childcare providers can be found in most towns/villages in the Falkirk Council area, a useful information sheet showing the number of Childcare Providers (PDF, 48KB)| in each area can be found in the Document box.
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Are all childcare providers registered and inspected?
Childcare providers are registered and inspected by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (or commonly known as the Care Commission). Parent & Toddler Groups and services operating under 2 hours are not registered. If you have a query or complaint regarding a childcare provider, please contact the Care Commission local office - details are available on the Care Commission website|.
Further details regarding Registration & Inspection, Questions to ask and other Top Tips can be found in the Making choices leaflet (PDF, 84KB)|.
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The telephone helpline offers free advice, guidance and details with regard to childcare and related issues. Information is available over the phone, by post, fax or e-mail. Callers can expect their calls to be answered by experienced and knowledgeable staff with details being sent, faxed or emailed within 1-3 working days. Details are also available online from the
Scottish Childcare website|.
It is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm with an answering machine available for those times when calls cannot be answered.
All calls to the service are treated in confidence and any information provided will be impartial and objective. The service will not recommend specific types of childcare or individual providers, but provide sufficient information to allow callers to make informed choices.
Falkirk Councils Customer Service Charter| can be viewed for further information.
Falkirk Childcare Information Service holds details on all childcare providers in the Falkirk Council area and can provide information on childcare provider services, including:
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contact details
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opening hours
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age range
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costs
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facilities
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transport
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when they are open
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services for children with additional needs.
Consent has to be given before any details are made available to the public. Providers are also encouraged to update their details regularly.
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Advice and Other Services?
Signposting and details of local organisations, activities, events and initiatives which may be of interest to parents, carers and others involved in childcare and early education sector, are also available through Childcare Information Service helpline and Advice and Other Services section| of the Scottish Childcare website.
Categories include:
If you wish to add your information to this section of Falkirk Childcare Information Service, please Contact Us and discuss available options ~ which are FREE.
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Information for Childcare Providers
Are you a childcare provider and wish to advertise your details – for free - through Falkirk Childcare Information Service?
Then it couldn't be easier, just get in touch with us using the details in the Contact Us panel and we will send you a Provider Form or download the Childcare Provider form (PDF, 192KB) here|.
The service is free to use, all we ask is that you keep your details up to date and stay in touch!