Children’s centres
Children’s centres are local community centres which support babies, pre-school children and their families
Services Toggle accordion
Centres offer a range of early intervention services, such as:
- support for mums, dads and carers
- help getting jobs and training
- health services
- daycare and activities for babies and toddlers
Each centre offers different services, including:
- childcare
- early education
- training or finding a new job
- antenatal classes
- baby clinics
- support with breastfeeding
- support with parenting and speech and language
- drop-in sessions for parents and children
- services for children with special needs and disabilities (we also have specialist centres for disabled children)
Check with your local children’s centre to find out what they offer.
Children's centre registration form (PDF, 143 KB)
Play and Communication sessions
All Play and Communication sessions now need to be pre-booked through Eventbrite. These are:
- Babbling Babes
- Little Rhyme Makers
- Play with a story
- Toddler Talk
To book one of our children’s centre activities:
- register on Eventbrite and search for the session you would like to attend
- bring your booking confirmation with you to the session
- If you arrive at a session you are not booked on you will not be able to attend the group
- to cancel a session you have booked, log into your Eventbrite account
- book one ticket per child
Find your nearest children's centre Toggle accordion
Our children's centres
Find your nearest children's centre
Children's centres are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Becontree Children's Centre
Becontree Primary School, Steven's Road, Dagenham RM8 2QR
020 8724 1830
becontreechildrenscentre@lbbd.gov.uk
Gascoigne Children's Centre
140 St Ann's, Barking IG11 7AD
020 8724 1147
gascoignechildrenscentre@lbbd.gov.uk
Leys Children's Centre
215 Wellington Drive, Dagenham RM10 9XW
020 8724 1983
leyschildrenscentre@lbbd.gov.uk
Marks Gate Children's Centre
119 Rose Lane, Chadwell Heath RM6 5NR
020 8270 6091
marksgatechildrenscentre@lbbd.gov.uk
Sue Bramley Children's Centre
Bastable Avenue, Barking IG11 0LH
020 8270 6619
suebramleychildrenscentre@lbbd.gov.uk
The Heathway Centre (for families with a disabled child)
512a The Heathway, Dagenham RM10 7SJ
020 8227 5500
Find out more about The Heathway Centre
William Bellamy Children's Centre
Frizlands Lane, Dagenham RM10 7HX
020 8724 1924
Infant feeding support Toggle accordion
If you require information or support with breastfeeding and infant feeding, contact your health visitor.
National Breastfeeding Helpline
Independent, confidential, mother-centred, non-judgmental breastfeeding support and information.
0300 100 0212
Every day, 9.30am to 9.30pm
Activities, events and courses Toggle accordion
Search for children’s centre services across Barking and Dagenham. All activities are free unless otherwise stated.
Search children's centre activities
Autumn activities programmes
Marks Gate and Becontree children’s centres, Valence Library, Chadwell Heath Community Centre (PDF, 275.00 KB)
William Bellamy and Leys children’s centres, Dagenham Library (PDF, 563.00 KB)
Sue Bramley and Gascoigne children’s centres, Barking Library and Thames View Library (PDF, 563.00 KB)
Play and Communication sessions
All Play and Communication sessions now need to be pre-booked through Eventbrite. These are:
- Babbling Babes
- Little Rhyme Makers
- Play with a story
- Toddler Talk
To book one of our children’s centre activities:
- register on Eventbrite and search for the session you would like to attend
- bring your booking confirmation with you to the session
- If you arrive at a session you are not booked on you will not be able to attend the group
- to cancel a session you have booked, log into your Eventbrite account
- book one ticket per child
Benefit advice Toggle accordion
Our children's centres offer a range of advice on benefits.
Volunteering Toggle accordion
Volunteering can benefit you in many ways. It can help you to:
- improve your self-confidence and develop new skills
- improve your CV and gain references
- prove to an employer you have evidence of working in a professional environment
You can volunteer at any of the children’s centres in Barking and Dagenham. You can donate as little as two hours per week. If you want to, you can also link your volunteering to a course and gain a qualification.