OverviewThe Early Years Education Partner role will support the implementation of Essex County Council’s School Readiness Strategy by ensuring that children get the Best Start in Life by being ready for school and accessing high quality early years and childcare provision across the Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) sector (pre-schools, day nurseries, childminders, out of school clubs) and the maintained sector (nursery schools, nursery and reception classes in primary/infant/academy schools).

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, taking responsibility for promoting effective implementation and delivery working directly with PVIs, schools and other key professionals and partnerships across the sector.

Develop and deliver high level support packages to all provision requiring urgent support for EYFS.

Provide an informed perspective in relation to child development, teaching and learning to ensure 0-5 year olds are able to access sufficient quality provision, including a focus on the Home Learning Environments, effective transitions, early intervention and improved early language and communication skills.

Increase the knowledge and understanding of Early Language and Communication for all those working with children 0-5, with a focus on closing the word gap and the impact on the quality of provision.

Lead effective collaboration within local communities and cross-sector EYCC provision, to identify solutions and prevention strategies. Facilitating targeted interventions for providers, in liaison with Education colleagues and ECC teams, such as Social Care, and key partners, such as Health to provide integrated, targeted multi-agency working to raise outcomes for children.

Analyse relevant data sets and formulate action plans for high level targeted support, to ensure intervention measures are tailored appropriately to raise attainment and outcomes for all children, but with a specific focus on narrowing the gap for vulnerable groups, such as SEND, FEEE2 and EYPP.

Provide support to the School Effectiveness team which enables the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory function of moderation.

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Qualifications

Requires either Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years degree, equivalent qualification and/or equivalent experience, which includes a substantial emphasis on child development 0-5 years.

Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.

Deep knowledge of EYFS and effective implementation in a range of early years and child care settings, supporting 0-5 year old children’s individual needs.

Substantial experience of working with babies, young children and parents within early years settings (childminding, Out of School provision, PVI, maintained provision, Family Hubs).

Extensive understanding of EYFS and Early Years pedagogy and current government strategies for Early Years, particularly in relation to disadvantage, high quality provision.

Evidence of significant contribution to successful improvement in an organisation.

Significant knowledge and understanding of the Ofsted framework for Early Years settings, schools and Family Hubs, with experience of intervening and tackling under performance in EYCC provision.

Experience of collaborating and working with schools, PVIs, Early Years Partners and parents.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

InterviewsInterviews are scheduled to take place on Friday 12 September at County Hall, Chelmsford.

Why Essex?As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Essex is committed to Everyone’s Essex as a place to develop your career or contribute to the local community.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the job, and we’re also committed to interviewing all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

As part of employment with Essex County Council, should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service, please refer to official guidance.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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