Children & Family Hubs

Children & Family Hubs are open in the summer holidays and offer fun activities for children and young people to enjoy for free, including stay and play sessions and Forest School. The hubs include a network of children’s centres, youth hubs, libraries, adventure playgrounds, and health services.

Check your local hub’s timetable to see what’s on. Some activities are for specific age groups. Visit familyhubs.hackney.gov.uk

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Imagination Library – free books to children under 5

Help inspire a lifelong love of reading this summer with your children! Sign up to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Registered Hackney children aged 0-4 will receive one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book addressed to them each month by post, until their 5th birthday. The project is delivered by Dolly Parton’s charity, The Dollywood Foundation, with support from the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Register online, or in person at your local Children & Family Hubs, Children Centres and Hackney Libraries.

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Family Information Service

Childcare during the summer holidays can be tricky, but there are lots of holiday activities and clubs available to support parents and carers in Hackney.

Hackney Family Information Service (FIS) offers free, confidential and impartial information, advice and guidance to families living in the borough.

The team provides up-to-date information on:

• Childcare options
• Paying for childcare
• Funding available for children 9 months and over
• Local services and activities for children and families
• Signposting to other support services for families

The team also offers face-to-face advice sessions every Wednesday, 11am-1pm at Hackney Service Centre, 1, Hillman Street, E8 1DY. You can also reach them by phone, 020 8820 7590 or email fis@hackney.gov.uk for more advice.