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Take a taste of Rotherham's childcare... Absolutely FREE!

Following on from the success of the initiative in 2007, Early Years and Childcare Service are running the Free Childcare Taster Initiative again!

Every child in Rotherham (0-14 years) is entitled to FREE childcare voucher.

The initiative will run from 2nd June - 19th December!

The free childcare taster voucher can be redeemed at any childcare provider taking part in the initiative. (please note that the vouchers cannot be used to pay for a type of childcare you are already using.)

Rotherham has a wide variety of childcare including: breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday clubs, childminders, day nurseries, Sure Start Children's Centres, lunch clubs, nursery schools/classes, pre-schools and playgroups.

For details of childcare providers accepting the vouchers, or for an informal chat on the types of childcare that would suit you best, please call the Families Information Service on 0800 073 0230.


 

Rotherham children honoured in national art award!

Children from Rotherham have won awards in this year’s National Childcare Week Children’s Competition, organised by Daycare Trust. Six-year-old Hayden Smith, Teigan Holland aged 6, Emily Clarkson aged 7 and 11-year-olds Liam Robinson and Jonathon Stewart travelled to London on Monday for a star-studded celebration at the Discover Centre, London.


The winners!




Hayden’s brightly-coloured thank you card for his childcarers at the Arnold Centre Tea Club came top in the Under-7s category. Teigan Holland and Emily Holland designed a poster to advertise The Play Station after school club. Liam and Jonathon’s keen eye for a story impressed the judges enough to award them first prize in the 10-plus category, which involved being a reporter for the day by writing an article about a day at Wickersley after-school club.

The prizes were presented by one of the competition judges, CBBC Newsround’s Sonali Gudka. As well as a certificate, all three boys won vouchers to spend on books, art supplies and education CD Roms, as well as some children’s books and toys.

Daycare Trust’s Joint-Chief Executive Alison Garnham said: “Congratulations to Hayden, Liam and Jonathon for these fantastic winning entries. The message of National Childcare Week is ‘Childcare Benefits for Life,’ a celebration of places like The Arnold Centre Tea Club, The Play Station After School Club and Wickersley After-School Club, which provide children all over the UK with opportunities to play, learn and grow.”