About us
Early Years Cocoon CIC (EYC) is a Community Interest Company (CIC) deeply committed to serving families with young children in Barking and Dagenham. Established in late 2018 and officially becoming a CIC in June 2020, we have rapidly grown to support over 700 local families in one of London's most deprived boroughs. 
We are passionate about what we do and dedicated to having a positive impact on society. Our mission is to provide holistic support and educational activities that foster the growth and development of families within our community, leading to building a ‘village’ together. 

Our main service is running five weekly "stay and play" group sessions held at various local venues. These sessions, catering to hundreds of families, offer a range of engaging activities including free play, crafts, singing, physical movement and interactive storytelling. We continually enhance these sessions by inviting external specialists and artists to contribute, ensuring a diverse and enriching experience for all participants. We also promote family engagement by involving parents and carers in the delivery of activities, especially sharing their skills, talents and celebrations. 
Complementing our primary services are various secondary support initiatives. We organise special events focused on celebrating diversity and raising awareness on crucial issues such as Women Empowerment, Mental Health, LGBTQ+, Earth Day, Recycling and more. Thanks to securing some additional funding, we currently have weekly Yoga for Adults and Children, Forest School sessions in collaboration with park rangers at Eastbrookend Country Park, online parenting workshops, and park events held during spring/summer. 

Our projects are continually inspired by the needs and insights of our community. Through conversations, surveys and other means of gathering feedback, we tailor our services to address the evolving needs of families in Barking and Dagenham. A community-led approach lies at the heart of what we do, empowering families to take an active role in shaping the support they receive. 
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Our objectives are:
  • Promotion of positive parenting by focusing on the learning and development of children
  • ​Development of supportive services for families with young children
  • Sharing of creative and educational practice to ensure the well-being of children through a supportive family
  • Strengthening social, communication and artistic skills in young children and their parents
  • Create multidisciplinary stimuli to children by engaging with other local community organisations and individuals
  • ​Building community by connecting families with the purpose of sharing sustainable parenting practices
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Early Years Cocoon Impact Report, 2022 (click on image above to download)
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Early Years Cocoon Impact Report, 2021 (click on image to download)