Integrated Family Services

Early Years and Childcare

Early Years and Childcare is responsible for creating and supporting high quality affordable childcare places.

This includes:

Early childhood is an important time in a child's development. The quality of the early years provision they attend can make a real difference to a child's development and outcomes.

Early Years and Childcare Provision in Barking and Dagenham

Currently parents can choose from a range of childcare provision that will suit their particular needs.

All early years provision (where 0-5 year olds receive education) are supported by a team of experienced Advisory Teachers and Foundation Stage Teachers.

The managers of childcare settings are qualified to at least NVQ level 3 and a minimum of 50% of their staff hold a relevant childcare qualification.

In the school term after their 3rd birthday, all children are entitled to 2½ hours free early education. This can be taken at any day nursery and most pre-schools within the borough.

What do we do and who does it?

The team covers many different aspects of early education and childcare. The following list gives you an idea of what services we provide.

We are in the process of developing dedicated web pages for each service/ team in this list. Some of these pages have yet to be finished so please contact the Family Information Service if you require further information.

Advisory Teachers

The Advisory Teachers Primary Team provides advice, support and guidance on a range of issues.

Business Support

The Business Support Officer provides help and guidance on the business side of childcare including sustainability and setting up new provision.

Family Information Service

The Family Information Service helps parents and carers find out what services are available for children from birth to 14 (16 for Special Education Needs).

Development Team

The Development team supports the creation and quality of all childcare settings within the borough.

Finance

The Finance team works to ensure the effective, efficient running of the Early Years and Childcare Service. They are also responsible for the administration of the Nursery Education Grant.

Inclusion Team

The Inclusion team works with children that have special educational needs and does this by supporting staff, parents/carers and children in all settings for under 5s, except maintained schools.

Neighbourhood Nurseries

The Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative has created new childcare places to support families in the most disadvantaged areas of the borough.

Portage and Early Support

Portage and Early Support works with families of pre-school children with special educational needs.

Toy libraries

Toy libraries provide toys for loan to families of pre-school children.

Training and Quality

The Training and Quality team arranges various training courses relating to childcare in the borough. They are responsible for booking people onto the courses and keep the Early Years and Childcare Service Training Manual up to date.