The Early Years and Childcare Service are fully committed to the development of DISC which they see as an important step in supporting families, early years and childcare providers, employers and others in obtaining up to date and accurate information and guidance on the options open to them. The EYDCPs will support the childcare information service, will regularly monitor its development and ensure that the service responds to the needs of its customers.

DISC has adopted the following statement of mission: "DISC will provide free, quality, accessible and impartial information and guidance on the full range of childcare services, resources and issues led by the needs of children and their families, carers, employers, professionals and local and national government and their agencies."

The service, which will operate from the Children and Young Peoples Services Directorate, will have available a telephone help-line operated by trained staff 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday. In addition to this central facility every step will be taken to ensure that all potential customers have access to the service through other outlets at council customer access points, Libraries, other council offices and information points and via the internet.

A range of leaflets and posters describing the service and types of provision are available and the service will be advertised in places likely to be used by customers and through agencies and individuals likely to be in contact with potential customers.

The service will maintain initially information on all registered childcare and early years provision but will expand its database in line with customer requirements to include wider children’s issues. Where it is not possible to hold accurate information in a particular specialist field or where guidance from professionals in a specialist field is required the service will aim to sign-post customers to the appropriate information point. Information will be made available in hard copy and electronically; the service will ensure that its database is regularly updated to provide accurate information and will aim for a two working days response time to any enquiry. Information will be available on provision in neighbouring areas and nationally.

Staff will be trained to maintain confidentiality and act in an impartial way; a policy of strict confidentiality will be guaranteed except where a child is perceived to be at risk or care provision fails to meet legal or quality requirements. DISC has a complaints policy agreed with the Early Years and Childcare Service.

The service will constantly monitor the views of its customers by consultation on a rolling basis to gauge the needs of families, providers, those with special needs in the community, hard to reach groups and business. In addition, systems are in place to ensure that each enquiry is monitored for customer feed-back.

DISC has achieved and renewed the National Association of Family Information Services National Quality Award.