York family information service
The Family Information Service is a free and impartial information service. Our service is for all parents and carers of children and young people aged 0 to 19 (or up to 25 for children with disabilities and additional needs) living in York The service is also available to practitioners and professionals working with families living in York.
We can help with anything and everything around family life and being a young person, and will try help you by providing tailored information on a range of services and groups including:
- Ofsted registered childcare and ways to reduce childcare costs
- Local activities, clubs and groups
- Support services
- Parenting support and information
- And more…
If you're a parent or carer and have a question but don't know where to go, then please get in touch.
Get in touch by:
- telephone: 01904 554444, Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm
- text: 07786202241
- email: [email protected]
- outreach
Outreach
Access in person information from the Family Information Service about services, groups, activities, Ofsted registered childcare and more at various venues across York.
Upcoming outreach:
- Parent Returner, Information session at the Job Centre, Monkgate, on Wednesday 01 July between 10am and 11am (invite from the Job Centre)
- York Talk Money, information stand at Acomb Working Men’s Club, on Wednesday 8 July between 10am – 2pm. Find out about ways to help with your financial costs including childcare and free and low cost activities.
- Jobs, Skills and Apprenticeships Fair, information stand, held in Temple Hall at York St John University, Lord Mayor's Walk, York YO31 7EX, on Tuesday 14 July between 10:30am – 1:30pm. Get information on childcare, ways to reduce childcare costs, and other services and support to help you access employment opportunities.
- Storytime, information session at Acomb Explore on Thursday 16 July, between 10.00am to 11.30am.
- Family Friendly Event, information stand, at St James the Deacon Church, Sherringham Drive, York, YO24 2SE, on Tuesday 21 July between 9:30am – 12:30am.
- York Youth Festival, information stand and friendship bracelet making activity, at Rowntree’s Park on Wednesday 22 July between 2pm – 5pm.
- Community Food, information stand at Tang Hall Community Centre, on Friday 24 July 2026, from 9.30am to 10:30am.
- Storytime, information session at Clifton Explore on Tuesday 11 August, between 10.00am to 11.30am.
- Community Food, information stand at Planet Food, Southlands Community Centre, 97 Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1NX on Thursday 13 August between 10:30am and 1pm.
- Family Friendly Event, information stand, at St James the Deacon Church, Sherringham Drive, York, YO24 2SE, on Tuesday 25 August between 9:30am – 12:30am.
Keeping up to date
Keep up to date by:
Families First Quality Award
We are so pleased to share that we have been awarded the Families First Quality Award! We have been assessed by an external assessor against a set of quality standards which cover our statutory obligations and expectations of all Family Information Services to support children, families and young people. This award recognises the work we at York Family Information Service does to support York families, children and young people. If you haven't tried us yet, why not get in touch to see how we can help you and your family.
Best Community Engagement Award
We're delighted to share that we have won the NAFIS (National Association of Family Information Services) Best Community Engagement Award 2024! The award recognises the hard work the team have carried out over the last year delivering outreach at York’s Family Hubs, Explore libraries, food banks, job centres and more… ensuring families have face to face access to information in addition to the Raise York website, telephone and email offer, social media and regular newsletter.
Search for Services
Use our online search facility to search for services for children, families and young people. We can provide you with a list of tailored services and childcare. Get in touch if you would like a list.
Finding and paying for childcare
When it comes to choosing childcare there are lots of options to think about. The Family Information Services has information about all Ofsted registered childcare in and around York. We can provide you with tailored information and talk you through different ways of reducing your childcare costs.
Feedback about our service
We always strive to ensure our service meets your needs and regularly ask for feedback from you, to help us continue to improve our service and ensure it meets the needs of children, families and young people.
In 2025, 100% of respondents who completed a service evaluation told us they thought the Family Information Service was good or very good. Over the last 5 years our satisfaction rating is 87%.
Below are some of the comments and feedback you have given to us in 2025.
It was indispensable to us, and we would have been lost without it. A huge help.
I did not know the wealth of support available.
I was really desperate to find support and childcare for my kids, I work full-time and I am a single parent. They were really helpful. The lady followed through with the information needed and suggested. I was deeply grateful as it was a difficult time and I was in need to feel supported. Thank you very much.
Information was shared from the directory as well as a personalised email of recommendations for next steps, so useful and well thought through thank you
I have found the service super helpful, prompt and often go above and beyond. Excellent service!
It’s tricky to navigate all of the different agencies but it feels like FIS is the hub if I need any information in the future.
Thank you so much for your email and for taking the time to explain the childcare funding options in detail. That’s really helpful.
Thank you for your help so far, it’s a huge relief!!
