Hello and welcome to the September edition of our Family Information Service newsletter. Our job is to give you the info and resources you need to help your family life run a little smoother. We can help with:

Childcare – finding it and advice on paying for it
Local baby and toddler groups
Events, clubs, activities, and fun things to do in the school holidays, for all ages
Getting parenting and family support
Finding health and wellbeing support

We cover everything and anything to do with family life, so if you have a question, chances are we’ll be able to help, or if we can’t, we’ll point you in the direction of someone who can. Find us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Call 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk

New! Website for families

The government have launched a brand new website for families. Best Start in Life brings together trusted information and support from pregnancy through your child’s early years and beyond. It has loads of really useful info including:

Childcare and Early Years Education support
Free breakfast clubs and wraparound childcare
Childcare support eligibility checker
Week-by-week guide to pregnancy
Breastfeeding help and support
Introducing solid foods
Baby and toddler teeth care
Learning to talk
School readiness

You can also sign up to received personalised weekly emails tailored to your stage of pregnancy or your child’s age – with expert advice on baby care, childcare support and getting your little one ready for school.

Find out more

Local childcare for all ages

Did you know we keep a list of local childminders, nurseries and pre-schools to help you find childcare for your family?

You can find our list of childminders here on our Family Information Directory. You can click on the green ‘location’ button and enter your postcode to find providers closest to you. There is also a ‘Show Map’ link which shows you all of the providers on a map.

You can find a list of nurseries and pre-schools here on our Family Information Directory. Again, you can click on the green ‘location’ button and enter your postcode to find providers closest to you. There is also a ‘Show Map’ link which shows you all of the providers on a map.

You can also find a list of school holiday clubs here on our Family Information Directory. We update records before each holiday so you know what is available.

If you are looking for a babysitter or nanny take a look at the Childcare.co.uk website. Childcare.co.uk is an online social networking platform for parents, childcare providers and private tutors with over 3 million members.

Local baby and toddler groups

Now the new school term has begun, many baby and toddler groups will start up again. Baby and toddler groups are a great way to meet other children and parents, in a relaxed setting. Most groups are very budget friendly and do not require pre-booking.

We keep a list of groups across the county on our Family Information Directory, which you can search by area to find those closest to you.

Find out more

Drop in and chat to a Health Visitor

Did you know Shropshire Health Visiting Service run free drop-in clinics in Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Highley?

Health Visitors can help families with children aged 0-5 years old. They can offer information, advice and support on a range of topics, including:

Infant feeding and breastfeeding advice
Child development
Emotional health and wellbeing
Parenting and local support groups
Behaviour
Sleep

If you would like support but are unable to get to a session, you can also get help by calling 0333 358 3654 or texting the team on 07520 635212.

Find out more

Potty training, bowel and bladder support

ERIC, the children’s bowel and bladder charity are an amazing resource for families. They can offer expert advice on things like potty training, constipation, wetting accidents, toilet anxiety and stool withholding.

Their free helpline 0808 801 0343 is open Monday to Thursday, 10am – 2pm. They also run some fantastic online sessions for parents and carers too. Their next events are:

Talking about Potty Training – parent / carer event

Thursday 25 September 2025, 7pm

Join us for our Potty Training webinar led by our Family Services Team where we will outline our evidence based 3 step approach, involving preparation to use the potty, practising potty skills before eventually stopping using nappies as your child gains confidence.

We will be sharing useful resources which will help support you and your child on their potty training journey.

We will also be discussing some commonly asked questions about how to potty train including:

The best age for potty training and when to start
The equipment you will need
Potty refusal
How to manage accidents

Virtual Roadshow – Supporting Families

Join the experts at ERIC for a week of webinars on bowel and bladder health, tackling the issues your children are facing and signposting you to sources of support.

If your child struggles with wee or poo, you’re not alone. Over 1.5 million children in the UK (that’s 1 in 9) are currently living a bowel or bladder issue. To help support these families and answer some of the most common questions, ERIC is hosting a week of online activities where you’ll be able to get advice and information directly from the experts.

Monday 6 October

10.30am – 12pm: Understanding Toileting Health: A Parent’s Guide to Happy Bladders and Bowels
7pm – 9pm: Potty Training Problems? What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Tuesday 7 October

12pm – 2pm: Making laxatives and rewards work
7pm – 8.30pm: Understanding Bedwetting: Support, Strategies, and Solutions for Parents

Wednesday 8 October

10am- 12pm: What every parent needs to know about UTIs and Catheters
1.30pm – 3pm: Your Voice Matters: Championing Bladder and Bowel Support for Your Child
7pm- 8.30pm: The Poo Problem Isn’t Your Child: Tackling Stool Withholding with Psychology

Thursday 9 October

10.30am – 12pm: How to talk to education settings about your child’s continence needs
1.30pm -3pm: Toilet- related Anxiety Unlocked: strategies for Parents
7pm – 8.30pm: Toileting and PDA: Understanding and Supporting Demand-Avoidant Children

Find out more

Sleep Tight groups

This free five week group aims to support parents and carers to make positive changes to their child’s sleep patterns. Life can be difficult when children have sleep issues. Our aim is to support families to get a better night’s sleep by using a behavioural approach to sleep. We work in partnership with families, as we know that they are the expert on their children.

Groups provide parents and carers with the opportunity to meet other families in similar situations and to gain tips on how to support a better night’s sleep for them and their child.

There are two workshops coming up this term.

Virtual Sleep Tight Group – starting Wednesday 24 September 2025, 9.30am-11.30am
Virtual Sleep Tight Group for families whose children have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) – starting Tuesday 23 September 2025, 1pm-3pm

Quotes from parents who have been on the course

“Absolutely fabulous workshop. Should be offered to first time parents when their babies are old enough for the skills learned to be applied. I have a disabled daughter and naively thought that the workshop wouldn’t apply to her needs, well I was wrong, I believe it applies to most children and every parent can take massive positives away from this workshop! Awesome!”

“I have learnt a lot! I was interested to learn about the science behind sleep, melatonin production, sleepy foods. It has been good to know that I’m not alone and to learn things from some of the other Mum’s who were on the course. It was helpful to hear their suggestions!”

Find out more

Free groups for parents and carers

Parenthood can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable. It can also be demanding, frustrating and exhausting. In Shropshire the Parenting Team offer groups for parents which provide easy to implement, proven parenting solutions

The groups encourage parents and carers to identify the most important issues in their relationship with their child and to reflect on why things sometimes go well and sometimes do not. It is about looking at what you are already doing well and building on that to make it even better. It is then easier for you as a parent to identify how to work together with your child.

You will explore topics like:

Having Fun Together
Behaviour Difficulties
Sleep
Communication
Development Needs
Parenting Styles

There are a range of face-to-face and virtual groups happening across the county this term, including a group for families with children who have special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Find out more

Autumn term SEND drop-ins

Our Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) Meet and Chat drop-ins are back for the Autumn term.

SEND Meet and Chat sessions are open to anyone in Shropshire supporting a child with SEND — whether you’re a parent carer, family member, or professional.

Come along to ask questions, get practical advice, and connect with professionals who understand your journey. You do not need to have an official diagnosis to access this service.

Raven House, Market Drayton Family Hub, 129 Cheshire Street, TF9 3AH
Tuesday 23 September 2025, 2pm-4pm
Bridgnorth Library, Listley Street Bridgnorth, WV16 4AW
Tuesday 14 October 2025, 1pm-3pm
The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG
Thursday 13 November 2025, 10am-12 noon
Oswestry Library, Arthur Street, Oswestry, SY11 1JN
Thursday 4 December 2025, 1pm-3pm

Find out more

Support for you and your family

You can get free Information, advice and support on all aspects of family life, at our Family Drop-Ins and Stay and Plays. You can chat, have a cuppa and see how we can help you with:

Family life
Parenting support
Domestic abuse support
Money worries
Housing support
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
and much more

To find your local drop in please visit the Family Information Directory

Find a Coffee and Chat session

Upcoming open days

Has your child just started Year 6 at primary school? If so, they will start secondary school in September 2026. During September and October most secondary schools will be holding open afternoons and evenings, so you can get a feel for the school. Click the ‘find out more’ button below for a list of upcoming dates across Shropshire.

The online application portal is now open and you have until 31 October to apply for your preferred secondary schools. Find out more info and apply here: Transferring to secondary school | Shropshire Council

Find out more

School leavers roadshow

Life after Year 11

Is your child in Year 11? Have you heard about the School Leavers Roadshow? Designed to help Year 11 pupils navigate the many options open to them after school, this in-person expo brings together all the major local education and training providers across Shropshire in one place and showcases the pathways to higher education, apprenticeships and employment.

The event will include advice and guidance stands from colleges, sixth forms, training agencies and the armed forces, plus Qualifications Explained talks where you can find out the differences between academic A Levels, Technical and Professional courses, as well as Apprenticeships to help you make the right choice.

Monday 22 September, Cineworld, Shrewsbury. Book your tickets here:https://orlo.uk/ii3Wm
Saturday 27 September, Holiday inn, Telford. Book your tickets here: https://orlo.uk/tHE5s

Free historical days out

Explore the past

There are two campaigns running this month that allow you to visit historical sites and buildings across England and Wales for free.

Heritage Open Days

Discover loads of amazing places in England for FREE with Heritage Open Days from 12-21 September 2025. Check out the Heritage Open Days website for all the details.

Cadw Open Doors Welsh Heritage Festival

This September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems will offer visitors free entry, events or guided tours. Including:

Powis Castle and Gardens
Harlech Castle
Penrhyn Castle

Find a full list of places taking part on the Cadw website.

The Parenting Team will be delivering free Understanding Your Child and Understanding Your Child SEND – from toddler to teens – groups from September/October 2025 (poster attached).

These 10 week groups aim to:

• Promote understanding of children’s behaviour within the context of developmental issues

• Promote the development of parent/child relationship

• Increase confidence and self-esteem in both parents and children

• Give parents a strategy for repair when things go wrong

• Promote reflective, sensitive and effective parenting

They are also offering free SLEEP TIGHT groups from September 2025 (poster attached).

These 5 week workshops cover:

• Recognising the role of sleep hygiene to improve sleep

• Identifying causes of sleep issues and appropriate practical strategies to try

• Completing sleep diaries and identifying potential sleep issues

NEW – Shropshire Parenting Help & Support Line (1)