Kent Children and Families Information Service

What is the Kent Children and Families Information Service?

Kent Children and Families Information Service (CFIS) has a freephone helpline offering free, impartial information and advice about childcare, early education, parenting, family life and issues that affect young people up to the age of 20. Please view our CFIS Leaflet (PDF, 3617k) for more information.

Who is it for?

You may be a parent looking for someone to care for your baby when you return to work, have older children who need to be cared for after school or in the holidays or you may be looking for an early education place for your three or four year old child. If you have more than one child you may be looking for a combination of all of these.

What do we hold information on?

The Children and Families Information Service hold the only database of Ofsted registered childcare in Kent and our team of experienced information officers can talk you through the childcare options, answer your questions and produce a list of childcare services based on your individual needs.

For families or young people up to the age of 20 we can give information on a wide range of subjects in the form of leaflets, useful websites and details of organisations who offer specialist support and advice. Some examples include healthy eating, bullying, drugs, sex and relationships, education and disability

When are we available?

We are open Monday to Friday [9am to 5pm] with an out of hours answering service.
Call one of our advisors on freephone 08000 32 32 30 (calls made from a mobile may incur network charges).

We also have a team of specialist advisors who attend groups and events around the County, including those held at children's centres and school transition information sessions who can give one-to-one advice and support on a range of issues. This can be anything from deciding what type of childcare is right for you to information about how to get help paying for it.

For more information please refer to the other sections of this site, including choosing childcare, paying for childcare and search for childcare in Kent.

You can find out more about Kent Children and Families Information Service by watching our video on Kent TV.