BAND is an umbrella organisation which supports and develops childcare provision in and around Bristol. We provide services to childcare providers, people working with children, families and employers.

As well as working locally, BAND also plays an active role in national initiatives in the fields of childcare, play provision and working parents’ issues, working closely with key agencies. Our role continues to expand as childcare provision increases and we act in an advisory capacity for many bodies, both locally and nationally.

BAND provides services to Independent member groups that in turn provide childcare facilities to around 10,000 families.

Full members are managed by voluntary management committees that include representation from parents/ carers who use the service.

Affiliate members share BAND’s overall aims and have an interest in the field of play, childcare and related services to children, young people and their families. A breakdown of membership groups show that 65% of member groups come from disadvantaged areas of Bristol.

Government support has stimulated the growth in childcare and related services to children and young people. This, and the need to sustain these services, has increased demand for the support that BAND offers. Consequently we have seen a steady growth in requests for support from play and childcare providers and those offering related services to children and young people in the 0-16 age range.
BAND services aim to promote and advocate change, educate people about the importance of good childcare, knit communities together, encourage service-user involvement, address social needs, encourage inclusion, mobilise volunteers and most importantly, to help providers achieve sustainability and delivery of high quality services. BAND is a locally rooted charity that is dedicated to sharing interests, networking and working collaboratively and co-operatively with other organisations.