It’s vital key workers in health and essential services along with other parents across Somerset can access childcare provision this summer.
And Somerset County Council has been working hard with providers to ensure as many families as possible can find the places they need. This summer there will be a range of support available for children and young people aged 0-16 from the usual providers as well as activities and clubs.
Provision is varied from childcare providers opening in the Summer to holiday playschemes that offer different activities including sports, crafts and drama. It’s vital that parents plan ahead and book in advance given the demand on places.
Many of our registered childcare providers are open over the summer holidays so to find your nearest provider please go to https://choices.somerset.gov.uk/025/childcare-information/ and search the marketplace by entering your postcode.
For families that cannot find appropriate childcare or activities, Somerset County Council also provides a Childcare Finder Service that can be found at:
https://choices.somerset.gov.uk/025/childcare-information/finding-childcare/
The Childcare Finder Service can signpost parents to provision available within their required search area or the nearest suitable provision.
“As always, many parents, including, of course, key workers providing health and other essential services, will be dependent on reliable childcare during the summer holidays, so we’ve tried to pull as much information together as possible to assist them,” said Cllr Frances Nicholson
“We’re incredibly grateful to our providers, volunteers and clubs for all they are doing and have done over the last few months.”
Some great summer clubs/activities include:
- YMCA Daycamps – a packed weekly holiday programme at two Somerset locations with all sorts of outdoor activities. Find out more at https://www.ymca-dg.org/our-services/daycamps-holiday-clubs/
- Holy Trinity School in Taunton is running two summer clubs with wide ranging activities in both Taunton and Chard http://www.theredstartlearningpartnership.co.uk/1095/summer-provision
- Somerset’s Support Services for Education is offering comprehensive summer provision and some great outdoor activities at its Kilve and Charterhouse Centres – more information here https://www.sseoutdoors.co.uk/
For parents and grandparents who are looking for helpful resources to entertain children at home and outside, there are a wealth of online resources, including*:
The BBC online holiday activities: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/summer-activities-for-children/zjwbkmn
eParenting summer activities for kids 2020 http://www.eparenting.co.uk/celebrations/summer.php
Activity Village – www.activityvillage.co.uk
*More resources available in this article on www.somersetnewsroom.com
A couple of other essential links for parents are:
Government information on options for paying for childcare https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Information on childcare element of universal credit:
