Quality Development Advisor

This full-time, permanent role has a starting salary of -41,585 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a new Quality Development Advisor to join our fantastic Early Years Educational Effectiveness Team. The role is hybrid, supporting Early Years providers across the county, working remotely (including from home) and any of the Council''s offices.

Rewards and Benefits

• 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
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer''s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Role

Are you a dynamic and innovative early years professional with a passion for quality improvement and inclusive practice? By joining Surrey''s Early Years Educational Effectiveness Team as a Quality Development Advisor, you can help shape the future of early education across the county.

Surrey''s Early Years Educational Effectiveness Team provides support and challenge to a wide range of early years providers, including: full day-care, pre-schools, school-based nurseries, and childminders, to promote continuous quality improvement and ensure high standards of provision.

As a Quality Development Advisor, you''ll lead on key areas including: childminding, provision for children aged 2 and under, quality improvement programmes, and early years practice in schools.

As a Quality Development Advisor, you will be involved in the following key areas of responsibility:

• Provide expert advice, guidance, and practical support to early years providers across Surrey
• Lead on priority workstreams and develop best practice approaches to inclusive early education
• Design and deliver training packages and support programmes tailored to sector needs
• Use data to monitor impact, evaluate effectiveness, and inform continuous improvement
• Collaborate with Early Years Advisors and other professionals to ensure a consistent and joined-up approach
• Prepare evaluation reports and impact assessments to a high standard

This role does not include direct line management responsibilities; however, you will need to demonstrate ability to lead and manage others through projects, training delivery, or sector support.

This is a strategic and influential role where your work will directly contribute to improving outcomes for children aged 0-5 across Surrey. You''ll help shape inclusive practices, strengthen sector capability, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, especially those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:

• A full and relevant Early Years degree (as defined by the Department for Education) with significant experience across the 0-5 age range
• Strong working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Ofsted inspection framework
• Understanding of quality improvement systems, guidance, and legislation
• Proven ability to analyse and evaluate data to improve outcomes
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written with evidence of leadership and management experience
• Experience in writing, facilitating, and delivering training
• Familiarity with the Best Start for Surrey Strategy and National Quality Improvement Principles

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.

Application Questions

• Please confirm that you hold a full and relevant Early Years degree or QTS Please can you tell us what degree you hold.
• Please tell us about your most recent experience of leading frontline delivery of the Early Years Foundations Stage across the full age range of the EYFS.
• Please explain how you present data to staff, stakeholders, partners and Senior Leadership to support engagement and shared understanding.
• Please tell us about your understanding of the Early Years National Quality Improvement Principles. Please describe how these can be incorporated into an early years quality development programme for early years settings.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 21/09/2025 with interviews planned to follow.

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.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

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

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.