No waiting list, places available now

Free & Funded Childcare in Dagenham, Is Your Child Eligible?

Trinity Playcentre accepts all government-funded childcare hours. Many families in Dagenham qualify for 15 or even 30 free hours a week, and we'll help you apply every step of the way.

Claim Your Child's Free Hours →
  • Ofsted rated Good
  • 15 & 30 hours accepted
  • We help you apply
  • All families welcome
Children learning through play at Trinity Playcentre, Dagenham
£0
For eligible familiesNo waiting list right now
Ofsted: GoodInspected March 2023
Ages 18m–4 yearsDay care & preschool
Qualified StaffLevel 3+, DBS checked
Dagenham VillageChurch Elm Lane, RM10 9RL
We Help You ApplyGuidance provided free
Government Funding

How Many Free Hours Is Your Child Entitled To?

The number of free hours depends on your child's age and your family's circumstances. Here's a simple guide.

2
Year Olds
Up to 15 hrs/week free

For families receiving certain benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support, or other qualifying criteria. Trinity provides guidance to help you check and apply.

Most popular
3–4
Year Olds
15 hrs/week, all families

Every child aged 3 and 4 in England is entitled to 15 free hours per week (38 weeks per year), no matter your income or employment status. No means test, no application needed beyond registering.

Working families
30hrs
For eligible families
30 hrs/week free

If both parents (or you, as a single parent) work at least 16 hours per week and earn under £100,000, your 3 or 4 year old may qualify for 30 free hours.

Not sure which applies to you? Contact our team, we'll check your eligibility at no charge.

How to Apply

Getting Your Funded Place, Step by Step

It's simpler than you think. And if you get stuck at any stage, our team will help you through it.

1

Check Your Eligibility

Visit Childcare Choices to check what your child is entitled to. Takes about 5 minutes.

2

Get Your Code

For 30 hours, apply via the Government Gateway to receive your 11-digit eligibility code. For 15 hours (all 3–4 year olds), no code is needed.

3

Register at Trinity

Complete our short registration form or call us. Bring your code (if applicable) and we'll do the rest. Our team provides full guidance and assistance.

4

Your Child Starts

Once confirmed, we'll arrange a gentle settling-in process. Your child's funded place begins the term after their birthday.

Need help with steps 1 or 2? We offer guidance to all parents, just give us a call.

Call Us: 0208 592 4768
Fees & What's Included

Clear, Honest Pricing, No Surprises

Your funded hours cover your sessions in full. Here's what happens if you need extra time, and what's always included.

Session Type Rate Notes
Preschool, 15 funded hours Free All 3 & 4 year olds + eligible 2 year olds
Preschool, 30 funded hours Free Eligible working families, 3 & 4 year olds
Additional hours (12–23 months) £15 / hour Private rate for under-2s beyond funded hours
Additional hours (24 months+) £13.50 / hour Private rate for 2+ beyond funded hours
Day Care, Half Day £36–£45 9am–12pm or 12pm–3pm · Ages 18m+
Day Care, Full Day £72–£90 9am–2pm or 9am–3pm · Ages 18m+

Fees vary by age and hours booked. Contact us for a personalised quote.

What's Always Included

  • Free breakfast and snacks for all children every day
  • Children bring their own hot or cold meals from home, supporting healthy, balanced eating of their choice
  • All learning materials and resources
  • Daily updates via the Blossom app
  • EYFS play-based curriculum
  • Indoor and outdoor garden access
  • Support from our qualified, DBS-checked team
🥗

Our Meals Approach

We provide free, healthy snacks to all children every session. Parents bring their child's hot or cold meal from home, this gives families full control over what their child eats, supports cultural food preferences, and means you always know your child is eating food they love and that suits their needs.

FAQ

Funded Childcare, Your Questions Answered

Still have questions? Here are the ones Dagenham parents ask us most.

Does my 2 year old qualify for free childcare?
Some 2 year olds in England qualify for 15 free hours per week. Eligibility is typically based on your family receiving certain benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, and others). Trinity Playcentre can help you check, call us or contact us via WhatsApp and we'll guide you through it.
Is there a waiting list for funded places?
There is currently no waiting list for funded places at Trinity Playcentre. We recommend registering early to secure your preferred session times, as places are limited.
Are there any extra charges on top of my funded hours?
Your funded hours cover your sessions in full. Trinity provides free snacks for all children. Children bring their own meals from home. If you'd like additional hours beyond your funded entitlement, these are charged at £15 per hour for children aged 12–23 months, and £13.50 per hour for children aged 24 months and above.
How do I apply for my 30 hours code?
You can apply online at Childcare Choices using your Government Gateway account. You'll receive an 11-digit eligibility code to give to us. Our team provides full guidance and assistance to help you through the process, just ask.
When does my child's funded entitlement start?
Funded hours begin the term after your child's 2nd or 3rd birthday. The three term start dates are: January (for children born September–December), April (born January–March), and September (born April–August). Our team can confirm the exact start date for your child.
Can I split my funded hours across two settings?
Yes. Government-funded hours can be used across more than one registered childcare provider. For example, you might use 15 hours at Trinity and 15 hours elsewhere. Contact us to discuss how to arrange this.
Do you help parents apply for funded hours?
Yes. Trinity Playcentre provides guidance and assistance to all parents to help them understand and apply for their childcare funding entitlement. We're familiar with both routes, the 15 hours universal entitlement and the 30 hours working families route, and we're happy to help.
What if my child is 18 months, can they start now?
Yes. Trinity Playcentre welcomes children from 18 months into our Day Care sessions. Government-funded hours are available from age 2. Until then, day care sessions are available at our private rate. Contact us to discuss the options that work best for your family.
Parent Reviews

What Dagenham Parents Say About Trinity

Families across Dagenham, Becontree, and Barking trust us with their children's early years.

★★★★★

"All three of my kids go to Trinity Playcentre and they absolutely love it. The staff is amazing and caring, and the environment is so welcoming. My kids are always excited to go to school!"

YJ
Yuliya Jones
Dagenham parent · 3 children
★★★★★

"The team at Trinity Playcentre is incredible. My son has learned so much, and I feel confident knowing he's in such good hands. The daily updates via the app are also a great touch."

JU
Joy Ugiagbe
Dagenham parent
★★★★★

"Trinity Playcentre has been fantastic for my daughter. The activities are fun, and she's made so much progress in her learning. I'm so happy with the care and attention she receives."

TM
Thompson M.
Dagenham parent
🔔 No waiting list, funded places available now for September

Ready to Secure Your Child's Funded Place?

Register today and our team will be in touch within one working day to confirm your place, discuss your funding options, and arrange a visit.

Register for a Funded Place →

Questions first? Call 0208 592 4768 · WhatsApp us · Send a message