Information for families
The Family Information Service (FIS) provides free, impartial help, support and advice on a range of family issues including:
- Childcare and help with the costs of childcare
- Health care
- Education and Training
- Leisure services
- Finances
We can put you in touch with experts who will provide free help and support tailored to your individual needs and signpost you to useful information and services of Welsh Government Programmes.
Types of provisions
A childminder offers a learning environment and professional care to one or more children of different ages in their own home for reward. Childminders in Wales must be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales if they operate for more that two hours per day.
Cylchoedd Meithrin are Welsh-medium playgroups offering day care sessions, (morning and afternoon) normally between two and three hours per day to children aged between three and five-years-old.
Day nurseries offer day care for children aged from birth to five-years-old. They are usually open Monday to Friday all year round. Day nurseries in Wales must be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales.
A playgroup offers sessional day care sessions, (morning and afternoon) normally between two and three hours per day to children aged between three and five-years-old. Playgroups in Wales operating for more than two hours per day must be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales.
Out of school clubs offer breakfast and/or after school provision to children outside school hours. Out of school clubs can be run by schools or private providers and offer children the opportunity to play and socialise.
Early education
In Bridgend the part-time early education offer is currently 10 hours per week and is available from the term following a child’s third birthday up until 31 August following their third birthday when they become eligible for a full-time nursery place.
Where can part-time early education be taken?
Part-time early education can be taken up in a maintained nursery (school) or a funded non-maintained provision.
School contact list in Bridgend
When to apply for part-time early education at a maintained provision (school)
Applications for part-time early education in a maintained provision are completed on-line through school admissions.
School admissions online application form.
When to apply for part-time early education at a funded non-maintained provision
Applications for part-time early education in a funded non-maintained provision are completed through the childcare provider. Please contact the provider directly for availability and an application form.
In Bridgend children become eligible for full-time early education from the September following their third birthday at a maintained nursery.
Applications for a full-time nursery place are completed online through school admissions.
When to apply for a reception place at a maintained provision (school)
Applications for reception class are completed online through school admissions.
- Banana Moon Brackla
- Bizzi Day Nursery
- Busy Bees
- Cylch Meithrin Cynwyd Sant
- Cylch Meithrin Sarn
- Cylch Meithrin Sger
- Banana Moon Coity
- Little Acorns (Maesteg)
- Little Footsteps
- Little Stars
- North Cornelly Playgroup
- Schoolhouse Day-care
- Standing to Grow
- St Clare’s School
- The Burrows
- The Children’s Day Nursery
- Village Playgroup Garw Valley
- Village Playgroup Tondu
- Y Bont
Childcare Offer for Wales
The Childcare Offer for Wales provides up to 30 hours per week of government funded early education and childcare for eligible working parents and eligible parents in education or training of three and four-year-olds, for up to 48 weeks of the year, 39 weeks term-time and up to nine weeks of holiday provision
Tax Free Childcare
The Government may be able to help with childcare costs for parents. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support.
Dewis Cymru
You may find it helpful to search the Dewis Cymru website for details of services, including childcare and activities for children:
Flying Start
Flying Start provides free help and support for children under four in certain areas. It aims to improve their chances and give them a ‘flying start’ when they go to school. It is funded by Welsh Government.
Bridgend Early Help Services
The Early Help Team is a voluntary service that aims to help provide the right support for you and your family to aid positive change. We put the family at the centre of the support from start to finish of any involvement with the service.