Parents Welcome
Handbook
Contents
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
General Information for Coventry
Shops for children’s supplies
Eating out with children
Transport
o Taxis & mini cabs
o Coach stations
o Train stations
o Airports
Health
o Hospitals
o Doctors’ surgeries
o Dental practices
o Opticians
o Pharmacies
English courses
Advice agencies
Education
Special needs
Toy libraries
Leisure activities
Childcare explained
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
1
INTRODUCTION
This handbook has been put together to assist those parents with
young children who are new to Warwick. The focus is very much
on the needs you may have as parents and the information provided
is based on feedback from other parents; many of whom have been
in a similar position to you.
This handbook is part of the output of a project done by group 7 of
the Full Time MBA cohort, 2006/2007, to assist the Warwick
University Nursery. Group 7 would like to thank Debbie Castle, the
nursery manager, the nursery staff, and the parents for their time and
assistance and the children for their artistic drawings.
If you are reading this on a computer you may find it useful to know
that you can access the websites directly by clicking on the link.
Disclaimer: at the time of print all information provided was correct;
Warwick University and the Nursery cannot be held liable for any
unsatisfactory actions arising from use of information. The
information provided in this handbook is only a guide and it is the
parents’ responsibility to ensure correct usage
Copyright University of Warwick
COVENTRY
In Coventry there is a free advice centre available for children
between the ages of 1 – 14 years (16 years if the child has special
needs)
Coventry Children’s Information Service
Central Library
Smithford way
Coventry CV1 1FY
024 7683 4373
www.coventry.gov.uk/cis
Further information on child care, health, education, activities and a
lot more in your local area can be found by going to the
Government’s website for childcare, this link is for the Coventry
area.
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/board.asp?cisid=5151#
There is a lot of information on this website so we have indexed
those topics that are most relevant to parents with young children
further on in the handbook.
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
2
SHOPS
For clothes and supplies for children
For great shopping, look no further than the local area. Shops are
usually open from 0900 – 1730 Monday to Saturday, although many
supermarkets are open from 0800 until 2200. Most supermarkets are
also open on Sundays from 1000 to 1600. Other families would
recommend the following shops for clothes and supplies for
children.
Name
Address
Telephone
Mother care
Central Six Retail Park, Warwick Road, Coventry,
CV3 6TA
024 7622 8937
Boots
163 Daventry Road, Coventry, CV3 5HD
024 7650 1574
Woolworths
17 Warwick Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1HN
019 2685 2 312
Tesco
1 Cannon Park Centre, Lynchgate Road, Coventry
CV4 7EH
024 7641 7392
Debenhams
West Orchard Shopping Centre, Smithford Way,
Coventry
084 4561 6161
Primark
Broadgate, Coventry, CV1 1NA
024 7663 2018
Asda
Brade Drive, Coventry, CV2 2PN
024 7661 3426
Gap
Energy House, Charter Avenue Industrial Estate,
Canley, Coventry, CV4 8AU
024 7646 8259
Next
Unit 5, Central Six Retail Park, Warwick Rd,
Coventry, CV3 6TA
087 0386 5090
EATING OUT WITH CHILDREN
Other parents like taking their children to the following places to eat
as they are child friendly and often provide play areas.
McDonalds, many locations in the area look at website,
www.mcdonalds.co.uk/asp/locator/index.asp
Pizza Hut, check website different locations,
www.pizzahut.co.uk/find_us/nearest.loc
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
3
Name
Address
Telephone
Castle Bromwich
Wacky Warehouse
Chester Road, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham,
West Midlands, B35 7AG
012 1747 2908
Hall Green
Wacky Warehouse
1214 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham,
West Midlands, B28 9BH
012 1777 2340
The Fun Factory
Indoor play area
Cannock Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton,
West Midlands, WV10 8QD
019 0286 6006
Frankie & Benny’s
www.frankieandbennys.com
Cross Point Business Park
Gielgud Way Coventry, CV2 2SZ or
Shires Leisure Park Leamington Spa CV34 6RH
024 7660 4900
019 2688 8159
TRANSPORT
Short journeys tend to be by bus or taxi whereas long distance
travel tends to be by train or coach. Buses are relatively cheap
and tickets are bought on the bus (often exact change is needed).
Taxis are more expensive, but are useful when there is no bus
service. If you’re planning a big night out on the town or need to
get home after public transport stops make sure you book a
taxi/cab beforehand or have a local telephone number to hand.
The 3 nearest taxis and minicab companies from WARWICK UNIVERSITY
Company
Address
Distance
Telephone
Brookline Cars
Leycester House,Farmer Ward Rd, Kenilworth,
Warwickshire, CV8 2DH
2.63 miles
01926
513820
Abbey Cabs
Leycester House,Farmer Ward Rd, Kenilworth,
Warwickshire, CV8 2DH
2.63 miles
01926
865999
Trinity Street
Taxis
Holyhead Chambers,Lower Holyhead Rd,
Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3AW
2.74 miles
024
76631631
Please note: the numbers above are for licensed operators. For your own safety never use
an unlicensed taxi or minicab.
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
4
The most popular coach stations from WARWICK UNIVERSITY
Station
Coventry
Address
Pool Meadow, Fairfax Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1
5RX
Distance
3.12 miles
Birmingham
Digbeth Coach Station, Digbeth, West Midlands, B5 6ET
15.29 miles
You can find out about coach journeys by telephoning National Express on 08705 08080 or
visiting the website http://www.nationalexpress.com
You can also call Megabus on 0900 160 0900 or visit the website
http://www.megabus.com/uk/ It departs from Tesco, Cannon Park Shopping Center
The most popular train stations from WARWICK UNIVERSITY
Station
Postcode
Distance
Operator
Coventry
CV1 2GR
2.54 miles
Virgin Trains
Birmingham International
B40 1PA
8.46 miles
Virgin Trains
You can find out about train journeys by telephoning the National Rail enquiries on 08457
48 49 50 or visiting their website at www.nationalrail.co.uk
The nearest airports to WARWICK UNIVERSITY
Airport name
Address
Coventry Airport
Passenger Terminal, 02476 762220
Coventry, West
Midlands, CV3 4PB
Birmingham, West
0121 767 5511
Midlands, B26 3QJ
Birmingham
International
Airport
East Midlands
International
Airport
Castle Donnington,
Derbyshire, DE74
2SA
Telephone
01332 852852
Website
Distance
Coventry
Airport
3.78 miles
Birmingham
International
Airport
East Midlands
International
Airport
8.69 miles
32.34 miles
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
5
Other useful airports that you can use from London
Airport name
Address
Telephone
Website
Distance
London Luton
Airport
Luton, Bedfordshire,
LU2 9LU
01582 405100
London Luton
Airport
61.11
miles
London Heathrow Hounslow, Middlesex,
TW6 1SL
Airport
0870 0000123
78.69
miles
Enterprise House,
Stansted, Essex, CM24
1QW
Gatwick, West Sussex,
RH6 0JH
01279 680500
London
Heathrow
Airport
London
Stansted Airport
London Stansted
Airport
London Gatwick
Airport
01293 535353
84.55
miles
103.58
London
Gatwick Airport miles
HEALTH
When it comes to your health you need to consult the professionals. You can find out about
NHS Hospitals, Doctors’ Surgeries, Dental Practices, Opticians and Pharmacies by visiting
the NHS website at www.nhs.uk
Other than the Warwick Health centre (Phone number 024 7652 4888), the nearest NHS
Hospitals to ‘WARWICK UNIVERSITY’ are
Hospital
Warwick Hospital
Address
Lakin Road,
Warwickshire CV34
5BW
Telephone
019 26495321
Website
www.warwickhospital.nhs.
uk
Coventry and
Warwickshire
Hospital
Stoney Stanton Road,
Coventry CV1 4FH
024 76224055
www.uhcw.nhs.uk
Walsgrave
Clifford Bridge Road, 024 76602020
Coventry CV2 2DX
www.uhcw.nhs.uk
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
6
The 3 nearest Doctors' Surgeries from 'WARWICK UNIVERSITY' are:
Name
Address
Telephone
Distance
Dr BALLANTINE &
partners
University Of Warwick, CV4 7AL
024 76523523
0.0 miles
Dr PARKER &
partners
University Of Warwick, CV4 7AL
024 76524888
0.0 miles
Dr KUKREJA &
partners
3 Mayors Croft, Canley, Coventry,
West Midlands, CV4 8FF
024 76466312
0.9 miles
The 3 nearest Dental Practices from 'WARWICK UNIVERSITY' are:
Name
Address
Telephone
Distance
Dhaliwal, Canley
Dental Surgery
5 Mayors Croft, Canley, Coventry,
West Midlands, CV4 8FF
024 7646 6793
0.9 miles
JH Dental Clinic
279 Mitchell Avenue, Canley,
Coventry, West Midlands, West
Midlands, CV4 8DU
276 Broad Lane, Coventry, West
Midlands, CV5 7AT
024 7642 2677
1.0 miles
024 7646 5100
2.0 miles
Broad Lane Dental
Practice
The 3 nearest Opticians from 'WARWICK UNIVERSITY' are
Name
Address
Telephone
Distance
Hayward opticians
8 Cannon Park Centre, Lynchgate Road,
Coventry, CV4 7EH
024 7641
6667
0.6 miles
Healthcall Optical
Services
Unit 3, Bow Court, Fletchworth Gate,
Canley, Coventry, England - UK, CV5 6SP
0845 601
7241
1.2 miles
Susan R Bowers
Optician
349 Tile Hill Lane, Coventry, CV4 9DU
024 7646
6661
1.6 miles
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
7
The 3 nearest Pharmacies from 'WARWICK UNIVERSITY' are
Name
Address
Telephone
Distance
Dhaliwal
Chemist Ltd
Uni. Of Warwick Campus, Gibbert Hill Road,
Coventry, CV4 7AL
024 7657 2860
0.0 miles
Boots The
Chemist Ltd
Cannon Park Centre, Lynchgate Road,
Coventry, CV4 7EH
024 7641 7158
0.6 miles
Tidball and
Soper
42 Prior Deram Walk, Coventry, CV4 8FT
024 7667 4826
1.0 miles
ENGLISH COURSES
English language support is held at the Centre for English Language Teacher
Education at the University of Warwick (CELTE). Classes usually focus on
pronunciation skills as well as writing, reading and speaking skills. They are free
charge. Courses of basic English, concentrating on conversational skills in every
day situations, especially for husbands or wives of students, are also held free of
charge in the Students’ Union during term time. These courses provide an
opportunity for partners to meet socially in a relaxed atmosphere. Details of the
classes are available on the CELTE website
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/CELTE/
ADVICE AGENCIES
There are a variety of advice agencies available in the area that can help with the
following:
Benefits advice,
Legal services,
Local advice groups,
Counseling services,
Crisis Intervention,
National Help lines,
Money/debt advice,
Bereavement support,
Housing,
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/board.asp?cisid=5151&catid=1
Grants and Fees are available for students studying at or parents working at
Warwick University. One way of find out if you are eligible for these and how to
apply is by contacting the Warwick University Welfare Department:
http://www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/portal/advice/
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
8
EDUCATION
For those parents with other children over the age of 5, information is available o
the different possibilities for education.
Independent Schools,
Pre School Services,
Primary Schools,
School Support,
Schools for children with additional needs,
Secondary Schools
Further information relating to education which may be of use includes:
Education for adults, providing long distance tuition or tuition in person for adu
Family Learning, encouraging learning through play and learning from experien
for both parents and children. Consists of a range of activities, including After
School Children's Clubs in schools and community centers; Holiday Play Schem
Helping your child with learning, extra assistance available to help improve the
progression of children’s learning
Home Education, assistance for education taking place outside of schools
Bullying, advice on bullying for adults and children
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/board.asp?cisid=5151&catid=3
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Activities in the area open to children with special needs
Useful Organisations for parents and children requiring assistance with addition
needs
Support groups for children and the parents of children with additional needs
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/board.asp?cisid=5151&catid=11
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
9
ALL SORTS
Toy Libraries, toy resources and libraries that hold a wide range of toys and
equipment available for parents and children to loan and enjoy together
Safety/baby equipment, safety equipment for the homes of families as well as a
range of baby equipment, clothing and toys on a loan and return basis.
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/board.asp?content=results&cisid=5
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Sports
There is information to be found on a wide variety of sports including:
Athletics, Netball, Paintball, Rock Climbing, Rugby, Squash, Swimming, Tenni
Trampolining, Hockey, Martial Arts, Music,
Badminton, Cricket, Cycling, Dance, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Green
Bowls, Gymnastics
Other
Performing Arts, professional performing arts training for children and adults
Parks and Green Spaces to be found in and around Coventry
Parties, services available for parties, ranging from swimming pool hire, craft
afternoons to magicians
Pre School activities, activities available for those children who do not yet atten
school for a full day
Soft Play areas, indoor play areas for all ages usually with a wide variety of
activities and play areas
Children's Farms, children’s park and play area where live stock can be visited
General Activities & organised groups, organized activities of all kinds
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/board.asp?cisid=5151&catid=8
Different types of Child Care explained
Registered Childcare is care that is inspected annually by Ofsted
(the Early Years Directorate) against the National Care Standards
2001 which apply to children 0-8 years. Care that operates for 2
hours or more a day and/or for 5 days a year or more is required to
be registered.
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
10
Unregistered childcare is care where parents remain responsible
for their children throughout or operates for less than 2 hours a day
and/or for less than 5 days a year. Unregistered care also includes
care for children 8 years and above.
Child minders provide care, play and learning opportunities for
children within a home setting.
Creche facilities provide occasional care for children under eight.
They need to be registered when they run for more than 2 hours a
day.
Day nurseries are for children under 5 years old to play and learn
and have fun in groups while their parents work or study.
Nursery schools and classes provide early education and childcare
for the under 5's, including parent involvement and family support.
Out of school schemes – holiday clubs sometimes called 'Children
Clubs'. They offer a safe place to play for school age children from
4 upwards, outside school hours.
Playgroups or pre-schools provide sessions of play and education
to children aged about 3 to 5.
Toddler groups informal, unregistered, part-time self help groups
of parents and carers that meet locally with their children on a
regular basis. Toddler groups cater for children 0 to 5 years old.
Baby Sitting and Nanny Services, independent services available
for registered help for short and long periods live-in or live-out.
In case you wish to explore the rest of the UK, we recommend
you go to the following website and look at the information
handbook put together by group 2 of the Warwick Full Time
MBA 2006/2007 cohort
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/international/students/cur
rentstudents/a-zguide/t-z/travel_guide_0307.pdf
In Partnership with Warwick Business School
The University of Warwick International Office is not responsible for the content of
these webpages.
11