Wirral Council and its partners provide services which aim to help parents, carers and family members who are having difficulty with providing care and support for children and young people. Some services are open to parents and carers directly and other services will need a referral from a professional such as a health worker or your school or children’s centre. A list of services and charities offering further support can be found here.

Family Information Service

Wirral Family Information Service offers support for families with children and young people aged 0-19 years. We can help you to find childcare in your local area. We have details of out of school activities, for example, youth clubs, sports clubs, etc. Find out what’s on at your local Children’s Centre here.

For more information contact [email protected] or call 0800 085 8743

Find Ofsted reports for Wirral childcare providers here.

Parenting Journey

Whether you’re a first-timer or have a growing family, we are here to offer you and your family lots of opportunities along the parenting journey.

We have the services you need to help your child be healthy, happy and develop confidence as they prepare to learn and be school ready.

This parenting journey will take you from pregnancy until your child starts school. Throughout this journey you can see 10 ports of call where you will have contact with health visiting and children’s centre teams. They will support you with advice, practical parenting tips, plus, inform you of the many activities available for you and your child.

• Your 10 ports of call on the parenting journey are:
• Antenatal
• New Birth
• 4-8 Weeks
• 8-16 Weeks
• 4-9 Months
• 9-12 Months
• 12 Months onwards
• Age 2
• Age 3
• Ready for School

See our Parenting Journey Leaflet

Parenting journey

or contact our Children’s Centres for more information https://localofferwirral.org/family-information-service/0-5s/

Children with Additional Needs or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

If you are worried that your child is not meeting their milestones there are people that can help. Remember you can talk to your health visitor if you don’t know who they are your GP can tell you. You can find out more about health visitors here. If your child goes to a play group or an early years setting, they will have a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who can also help. You can speak to your setting for more details and support.

Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP)

Education, Health and Care Plans are personalised plans for children and young people with special educational needs that cover from birth to age 25.They aim to ensure that all the support the young person needs from education, health and social care professionals is agreed in one place. EHCP plans replaced statements and learning disability assessments in September 2014. Children and young people who previously had one of these will be gradually moved over to an EHCP plan.

To find out more about Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and how to request one click here.

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

If your child is in a setting and is receiving Disability Living Allowance, the setting can claim a one-off yearly payment to support them in the setting each year. Please note, children attending a Foundation 2 class will not be eligible. For more information, please speak to your setting or contact the Family Information Service.

Disability Access Fund Application Form 2019-20 as of April 2019

Inclusive Practice Fund (IPF)

Early Years Providers can apply for additional funding to support the inclusion of children with additional needs in early education and childcare. The Inclusive Practice Fund (IPF) is intended to support providers with additional staff time. For more information speak to your setting or contact the Early Years SEND team on [email protected]

Portage Service

Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with SEND and their families. To make a self-referral into the Portage service, contact the Early Years SEND team on [email protected] or complete the form below. Please note there is specific eligibility criteria for this service. For more information on Portage, click here.

EY SEND Referral Form Ver3 – Word Version as of March 2019

EY SEND Referral Form Ver3 – PDF Version as of March 2019 for users who do not have compatible WORD software

Early Years Funding

A number of different types of funding are on offer to help families with the cost of childcare, including 2 year old funding, universal and extended funding for 3 and 4 year olds, and tax free childcare. For more information, click here.

Early Years 2 Year Old Funding

Two year olds who live in Wirral may be eligible for 15 hours free childcare per week, which adds up to 570 hours per year. The funding can be used in a day nursery, a pre-school, or with a child minder rated good or outstanding.

Applications can be completed by the parent or carer of the child or a professional working with the family. Reasons for eligibility include, SEND, economic and through social care. Click here to apply.

Please see the below FAQS Document for more information.

Two Year Funding FAQ’s

Early Years 3 and 4 Year Old Funding

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to receive 15 hours per week of free early years entitlement. Children become eligible the term after their third birthday.

You can access the free entitlement at a nursery in a Wirral school or a nursery school, certain childminders, pre-school / playgroups, day nurseries or an independent school.

For information on registered childcare providers and availability in your area call 0800 0858 743. You should contact the provider of your choice as soon as possible in case they have a waiting list for places.

Those families who qualify for the extended offer of 30 hours for working parents need to apply online here.

Please see the below FAQS Document for more information.

3 and 4 Year olds Funding FAQ’s

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is extra funding available for all early years providers that offer early years education for 3 and 4 year olds. The extra funding can be used to further improve the quality of education provided for disadvantaged children. This funding is paid directly to your childcare provider. To apply click here.

Early Years Newsletter Spring 2019 edition