Early Years Advisor

This full-time, permanent position has a starting salary of £38,090 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a new Early Years Advisor to join our fantastic Early Years Educational Effectiveness Team. The team is based in Woodhatch Place, Reigate and this position will be covering a specific area in the East of the county.

The role involves hybrid working, supporting early years providers across the county. As a team we combine remote and office-based working, with access to any of the Council's offices.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the Role

The Early Years Educational Effectiveness Team sits within the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning Directorate and provides support and challenge to a range of early years providers including: full day-care, pre-schools, maintained nurseries, childminders and out of school provision. We provide advice and guidance on the quality of provision and the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage, as well as supporting setting to meet the requirements set out by Ofsted and other relevant legislation.

We also support owners and managers with the recruitment and retention of staff, and provide advice and guidance on suitable qualifications in line with the Department for Education requirements.

We are now looking for a dynamic, resilient and innovative individual to join our highly motivated and effective team.

As an Early Years Advisor you will provide support and challenge to a range of early years providers to promote quality improvements and maintain high quality provision.

Your key responsibilities as an Early Years Advisor will include:

• Providing advice and guidance on quality of provision and the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Supporting setting to meet Ofsted requirements and those of other relevant legislation
• Acting as a mentor and role model to settings in Surrey; providing training, advice, support and challenge to early years managers, practitioners and childminders
• Liaising with both internal and external professionals to support the local authority to meet its statutory requirements

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:

• Level 6 or above in Early Education and Childcare with full and relevant L3 in Early Years Education and Childcare
• Experience of front-line delivery of early years education with leadership and management experience
• Knowledge of child development and experience of practice across the full birth to five years age range
• Experience and expertise in at last one area (i.e. training, Ofsted, practice, childminding)
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, Ofsted inspection framework and safeguarding procedures
• Experience of leading and supporting others, and working as part of an effective team

You will be allocated a specific geographic area in Surrey, however Advisors are required to travel county wide as and when needed to support the local authority meet its statutory duty to provide sufficient high quality early education and childcare places.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 4 questions:

1. Please tell us what full and relevant Early Years qualification you hold.
2. Please tell us about, and provide examples of, your experience of working with children 0-2yrs, 2-3yr and 3-5 years.
3. Please tell us about your experience of leading and supporting early years staff.
4. Please describe a time when you have managed or taken the lead on the development of a project or training.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 05/08/2026 with interviews planned for 18/08/2026 and 20/08/2026.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.