Family Information Service
For child safety, early education and childcare providers follow the guidance issued by the Department for Education. Early education and childcare settings are now open to everyone.
The Family Information Service (FIS) is a dedicated team within Barking and Dagenham council. The team provide free, confidential, impartial advice and guidance on childcare including:
- information on local childcare including early years nurseries, pre-schools and childminders
- advice on childcare funding options
- fun activities for children
- brokerage service helping you find childcare
FIS works closely with children’s centres, Jobcentre Plus, family services, libraries and many more to support children, young people, families and people who work with families.
For further information and help finding childcare please contact us, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm:
Email: fis@lbbd.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8227 5395.
Free childcare for children aged 2, 3 and 4
We have a number of early education settings in Barking and Dagenham. Over 50 of our nurseries, childminders and pre-schools are rated good or outstanding. Many local parents are taking the opportunity to send their 2, 3 and 4 year old’s to one using the free offer. Find out about:
- free early learning for 2 year olds
- help with childcare costs
- Free early learning for 3 and 4 year olds
- up to 30 hours free childcare for working parents
- the benefits of childminding
Online directory
Family Information - Online is our complete directory of Ofsted registered childcare providers in Barking and Dagenham. It also offers information on services, support and activities in Barking and Dagenham and national information to help parents, carers, families and practitioners.
Add your organisation
If you work for an organisation that has activities or services for children, young people and families and want to be included in the directory then please register as a provider on Family Information - Online.
Add your organisation to our directory
Home education
Keeping children busy at home
Ideas for helping your child learn at home
A list of online educational resources for home education
Gov.uk: Online educational resources for home education
Coronavirus - Financial support for working families
Working Families: Coronavirus - what financial support is there for working families?
COVID-19 Parent guidance
COVID-19 Parent guidance document (PDF, 554KB)
The Government’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme is funding FREE holiday activities with lunch for children and young people that are eligible for free school meals.
Take a look at the exciting opportunities on the link below and make this a winter to remember!
Holiday activities and food programme
To find other information and holiday activities for children and families, please visit the holiday activities page.
Feedback
Your feedback will help in improving the services we offer to parents, children, young people and families.