Parenting Organisations

The Children's Information Service is the most comprehensive childcare service in Oxfordshire. However parents have recommended the following:

New Parent Network

Contact details: 67 Princes St, Oxford, OX4 1DE, Tel: Heather on 01865 249466,
click on the above link to be directed to their website.

NPN are a local self-help group welcoming parents of children up to 8 years of age, especially new parents and parents new to Oxford. They provide lots of local information, advice, support and publish a comprehensive local guide "Oxford for the Under-Eights" as well as a magazine 3 times a year. Coffee groups, early education groups, workshops and pub nights with a range of speakers on parenting issues are also arranged. There is also an active email group as well as a Dads group.

Parentline Plus

For more information please call 0808 800 2222 or click on the above link to be directed to their website.

Parentline Plus is a national charity that works for and with parents. They offer a range of services including telephone groups, publications and online discussion groups.

Parent Pages Ltd

For more information, please call 020 8325 2250 or click on the above link to be directed to their website.

Parent Pages is a UK directory for families with babies and children. They cover childcare, tutors, days out and events, parties, activities, schools, nurseries, after school clubs, charities and helplines, holidays, children and sport, shopping & more. Local and national listings. If your life revolves around 0-18's this is a very useful resource.

National Childbirth Trust

For general enquiries or for membership please email membership@oxfordnct.org.uk or click on the above link to be directed to their website.

NCT offers support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. They have antenatal classes, coffee groups, nearly new sales, homebirth support and much more.

The Inclusion Support Scheme – for children with disabilities

This scheme aims to promote inclusion and remove the barriers to play and childcare for disabled children and young people. It is available for children aged from birth - 16 with physical impairments or emotional behavioural or learning difficulties who would otherwise be prevented from taking party.

Oxfordshire County Council funds the scheme through the Early years Development and Childcare Partnership. Information, advice and short-term financial support is available to play and childcare settings which can pay for additional staff, equipment, or transport. Funding is not available through this scheme to support disabled children in funded pre-school places or for the payment of fees.

Play, leisure and childcare providers (including childminders) who receive a grant will also be expected to attend disability awareness and any other relevant training.

Help with the cost of childcare fees may be available from your local carers centre or from the Community chest Fund.

Oxford Tel: 01865 205192

South & Vale Tel: 01235 510212

North & West Tel: 01295 264545

Community Chest Fund Tel: 01865 256646

The scheme can:

  • Provide short-term support to enable disabled children and young people to access play, childcare and leisure opportunities
  • Pay for additional staff hours, equipment or transport up to a maximum of £250 in the first instance.

The scheme cannot:

  • Give grants retrospectively or be used for the payment of fees.
  • Give grants directly to parents.

The scheme is administered by Childcare Development Officers from the Early Years and Childcare Service. Application forms are available from the address below. Applications are considered and funding agreed on a short-term basis. Grants will be paid directly to play, leisure and childcare providers.

For further details and application forms, please contact:

Inclusion Support Scheme
Oxfordshire County Council
Knights Court
Oxford
OX4 3LX

Tel: 01865 323047 or Email: inclusionsupport@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxford Saturdads

For more information please call the children’s centre on: 01865 716739 or click on the above link to be directed to their website.

Saturdads is a service of the Sure Start Family Centre in Rose Hill, Oxford. They offer several activities on Saturday mornings for male carers and their children to enjoy, such as football or dance.

Energisers

For more information please call 01865 484373 or click on the above link to be directed to their website.

Energisers offer pre-school classes that introduce your children (from crawling to 5 year olds) to physical activity. The class offers your child the opportunity to develop their motor skills and body awareness and is available for children of all levels of ability. A qualified coach teaches each class and they are held at Brookes University Centre for Sport. Energisers also cater for children’s parties.

Useful Publications:

  • ‘Oxford for the Under-eights’.
    Published by the New Parent Network the book includes exciting chapters on: eating out, activities for Kids and playgroups. See the new parent network website for details on purchasing.
  • ‘How to find the childcare your child will love’
    Published in July 2008 and written by nannysucess.com founder Georgina Walsh this guide covers all types of childcare, both in home and out of home. It includes useful questions to ask during your search as well as great tips for settling your children in once a decision has been made. It also encourages you to look at your own needs towards parenting and to look at your family’s changing needs as your children grown older. See Nanny Success website for details on purchasing.