How we can help

Stoke-on-Trent Parent Direct is a FREE, confidential and impartial information and advice service.

In addition to the information held on this website, we can provide information, advice and guidance on any parenting issue, including the following:

• Childcare
  The information we can provide on available childcare in Stoke-on-Trent includes details of Childminders, Day Nurseries, Crèches, Pre-school Playgroups, Out of school Clubs, Holiday Schemes and Parent and Toddler Groups. We also provide information on activities for children and families that are available in the local area. We can offer advice and guidance to parents and carers on how to choose good quality childcare. We have details of those childcare settings that have achieved Healthy Eating Awards, Quality Awards and Childminders that are part of a Network.
• Child behaviour issues
• Flexible working
  We can provide details of who is entitled to request flexible working, details of the kind of changes that can be applied for and information on how to make an application for flexible working.
• Maternity, paternity and adoption leave
  We can provide advice on Ordinary Maternity Leave, Additional Maternity Leave and Statutory Maternity Pay. Our service can provide advice on Ordinary Adoption Leave and Additional Adoption Leave. We can also offer advice on Paternity Leave and Pay where your partner is giving birth to a child and Paternity Leave and pay where your partner is adopting a child.
• Parental leave and time off for dependents
  The information and advice we can offer includes details of the amount of time that an employee can take off to care for a child, who is entitled to parental leave, what is meant by a 'dependent' and whether you can expect to receive pay for time off.
• Advice for absent and lone parents
• Issues around starting school
• Bullying
• Tax Credits
  Our service is able to estimate the amount of Child Tax Credit and / or Working Tax Credit you are likely to receive. We can offer advice and guidance on Tax Credits and send you an application pack.
• Children's sleep issues
• Children's toileting issues
• Nursery Education Grant
  We can provide advice on the Nursery Education Grant, which will include how parents and carers can receive the grant, details of entitlement and how the grant works. We can send you details of those childcare settings that offer Early Education and are in receipt of the Nursery Education Grant.
• Drug related issues
• Child abuse concerns
• Children's eating problems

Please contact us about any parenting issue using the contact information provided below: