Childcare Provider area

Contact us

If you cannot find what you are looking for please email: fyis@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Concerned about a child or young person? (Opens in New Window)

Please contact Children's Services 0300 300 8585  (out of hours 0300 300 8123). If it's an emergency and a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Planned Essential Maintenance

Please be aware that the Central Bedfordshire Family Information Directory website including the Parent Portal for 2 year old funding applications will be down between 7.30am and 9.30am, Wednesday, 16th September 2026 for some essential maintenance work. You will not be able to use the website during this time.

Family Information Services from neighbouring authorities

Bedford Borough

Buckinghamshire

Hertfordshire

Luton Borough

Milton Keynes

These activities are happening all Summer!

Rushmere Country Park Hidden Insect Trail

Explore the park and discover the hidden insects using the trail sheet (£3 per sheet) available from the visitor centre.
Self-led, available during visitor centre hours. Starts Wednesday 23 July until the end of the summer holidays.

Find out about the Hidden Insect Trail

Rushmere Country Park Sculpture Trail

Ideal for families all year round is our very popular Sculpture Trail, a family accessible path accessed from the car park outside the Visitor Centre. Find the fairy doors, play on our wooden sculptures and – a real must – have a photo taken in the Giant’s Chair!


Find out about the Sculpture Trail

Rushmere Country Park Oak Wood Trail

The Oak Wood Sculpture Trail is an extension to the existing Sculpture Trail, at the north-western side of Rushmere Country Park.

It includes sculptures of the Green Tiger Beetle, Common Lizard, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Damselfly!

Find out about the Oak Wood Sculpture Trail

Rushmere Country Park Nature Rubbing Trail

This trail is available all year round and costs £2.50. Pick up your trail sheet with map at Visitor Services - this comes with a pack of coloured pencils and includes a sweet treat when you return.

Follow the trail from the Visitor Centre around Oak Wood and collect six nature rubbings along the way. Use the pencils provided to rub the images on the six posts onto the back of the trail sheet. As well as the rubbing posts, there are five benches with nature carvings and four wonderful sculptures to enjoy.

Find out about the Nature Rubbing Trail

Summer of Play at Dunstable Downs

Fun sports activities like football, cricket, hockey, tennis, table tennis, athletics, frisbee golf and more.
Every day throughout the summer holidays from 10:30am to 5pm. Free, but coach-led activities have a suggested donation of £2.

Find out more about the Summer of Play

School Term Dates

2025 - 2026 School Term Dates

Free parenting app now available for parents of 0-to-5-year-olds in Central Bedfordshire (Opens in New Window)

Find out more about the app – EasyPeasy

Apply for 2 year old funding

National Wraparound Childcare Programme

Find out more about the National Wraparound Childcare Programme

Support to become a Childminder

Find out more about becoming a Childminder

Careers in Early Years

Find out more about working in Early Years and Childcare

SEND Local Offer (Opens in New Window)

Information about education, health and care services, voluntary agencies, leisure activities and support groups for children and young people with SEND

Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) (Opens in New Window)

Fun, free activities for children and young people aged 5 and upwards during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. The programme is for children eligible for benefit related free school meals.

 

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this directory, we do not accept any responsibility or liability for any errors that have occurred. It is recommended that you always check with providers that their service or organisation meets your requirements. We offer an impartial service and we cannot recommend or endorse any providers or services listed.