Childcare Choices

Types of Childcare

This page lists the different types of childcare available within Barking and Dagenham.

Registered provision

Registration means that the service is inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). They ensure that standards are being maintained.

Registered providers are issued with a registration certificate, which they have to display. The certificate will state how many children can be cared for, the age range of children and the number of staff that must be available. At least half of the staff must have a recognised childcare qualification.

The inspection report is a public document, your provider will be happy to show you a copy. Alternatively you can access them from Ofsted's reports web page.

Registered providers have agreed to work to a common set of policies covering all the important aspects of their work with children. Ask your provider to show you their policies.

All adults working in day care settings have reference checks taken up by the registration authority, including police checks.

Buildings are checked for safety and policies and practices are examined to ensure that they are child centred and appropriate.

Types of registered day care in Barking and Dagenham:|

Childminders|

If you are a parent planning to return to work or education you will need to start thinking about childcare. Choosing the best childcare for your child and family is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Childminders web page|

Crèches|

Crèches provide childcare to enable parents to attend an activity taking place on the same premises.

Crèches are required to register if they are open for more than 2 hours on any day and more than 6 days a year. The registration certificate will show how many children may be cared for at any one time and how many staff must be provided.

List of crèches

Day nurseries|

Day nurseries provide full or part-time day care for children aged from birth to 5 years, although not all day nurseries are registered to care for children aged under 2 years. Most are open from 8am - 6pm weekdays. All day nurseries are registered to the same standards.

In Barking and Dagenham some nurseries are privately owned. There are also those that are run by the voluntary sector and those that are run by the local authority.

All day nurseries in the borough offer free early education places to children on the school term following their 3rd birthday.

All children, including disabled children and those with special educational needs, will be offered the same opportunity and quality service.

List of day nurseries

Pre-school playgroups|

Pre-schools offer day care (under 4 hours) for children aged 2½-5 years during school terms. Some groups may also offer sessions during school holiday periods. Pre-Schools offer a wide range of supervised play and learning opportunities.

Many pre-school playgroups are members of the Barking and Dagenham Pre-School Learning Alliance. Most are also able to provide free early education sessions for children from the school term after their 3rd birthday.

All children, including disabled children and those with special educational needs, will be offered the same opportunity and quality service.

List of pre-school playgroups

Out of school clubs|

Out of school clubs provide childcare before school, after school and during school holidays. Each provider offers different combinations of these services.

The clubs meet the needs of children, aged from 4-12 years, whose parents work. Individual clubs are linked to specific schools and the club's staff are responsible for escorting children to and from school (as appropriate).

While at the club children are provided with a snack, refreshments and a range of supervised activities, which may include help with homework if requested. In Barking and Dagenham all out of school clubs are members of an Out of School Alliance which aims to develop the service so that every school is linked to a high quality, affordable, out of school club.

Applications and payment arrangements are made directly with the individual club.

All children, including disabled children and those with special educational needs, will be offered the same opportunity and quality service.

List of out of school clubs

Holiday play schemes|

There are a number of childcare settings, such as out of school clubs and pre schools that open during school holidays. In addition specialist play schemes are also available.

All play schemes that operate for more than 2 hours a day and accept children aged less than 8 years are required to register and are listed in this guide.

List of holiday play schemes

Unregistered care

Groups that meet for less than 2 hours a day or are not open to children aged less than 8 years are not required to register with Ofsted.

Parent and toddler groups

These groups meet normally once or twice a week. They offer parents or carers of pre-school age children an opportunity of meeting socially while their children are able to take part in play activities.

The parent or carer stays with and is responsible for the child throughout the session. There is often a small charge for refreshments.