The involvement of several different Government departments in the provision, regulation and administration of childcare has made it an uphill task to coordinate accurate and adequate information about local childcare services. ChildcareLink, a national website funded by the Sure Start Unit and the Scottish Executive which pools central and local childcare information, has been created to get round this problem, although Early Years and Under Eights departments of Local Authorities remain a useful contact point.

You can use the ChildcareLink map and postcode search to find details of registered local childcare providers and early education facilities in England, Wales and Scotland or to track down your local Childcare Information Service (CIS). Alternatively, call the ChildcareLink information line (freephone ) with your query. Factsheets about local childcare options are also available on request.

If you are trying to get to grips with the childcare question, The Daycare Trust is a charity which promotes affordable, accessible, quality childcare and aims to help parents make informed and confident childcare choices. They also advise childcare providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues. Consult their sections on choosing childcare or call their childcare hotline on for free information and advice.

The ChildcareLink website also provides advice on childcare choices, and includes a list of suggested questions to ask when investigating options outside the home to help you make up your mind. 

Children in Scotland is a source of information for providers and users of children’s services in Scotland. The policy/research section is influential in shaping legislation affecting children in Scotland. Telephone: .

Children in Wales/Plant Yng provides information about children’s services in Wales. Telephone: .

The British Association for Early Childhood Education is an organisation which describes itself as a national voice in early education, from birth to age eight. BAECE is committed to giving parents, childcarers and Government the necessary support and information to allow them to create home and childcare environments which maximise the opportunities for children to learn naturally as they grow. The neutral, well-researched articles in their Early Education Child Development Series may be treated as a useful reference point and discussion tool for parents and childcarers. Telephone: .

The National Children's Bureau - Early Childhood Unit promotes good practice, innovation and action to raise standards in services that affect young people. It works on the premise that what is good for young people is good for society and aims to give all children in the UK an equal start. The Unit can be reached on .

The National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) was set up as part of the Government’s programme ‘Supporting Families’. The NFPI campaigns to put families at the top of the Government, policy maker and media agenda, with the ultimate aim of creating a family-friendly society which supports parents and acknowledges the valuable and demanding role they play. The NFPI’s Parent Services Directory is an online database of parenting and family support services in England and Wales. Telephone: .

The National Early Years Network is an independent charity that represents public, private and voluntary sector interests in early years services, and provides support through training, information and participation in public debate. Telephone: .

Best Bear is an independent service listing recommended childcare agencies throughout the UK. Best Bear’s guide to good childcare is the result of its unique nationwide survey of over one thousand childcare agencies; they list only recommended agencies. You can find au pairs, nannies, maternity nurses and babysitters through vetted agencies on the site; you will also find information and advice for parents and childcarers and a number of childcare search facilities.

Health visitors remain one of the most reliable sources of information about registered childminders and pre-school services in a locality.