Senior Early Years and Childcare Sector Development Officer

This permanent role has a starting salary of £48,698 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We have a great opportunity to join our Early Years and Childcare Sector Development Team as a Senior Early Years and Childcare Sector Development Officer.

The position will be based in East Surrey, with a current work base location at Woodhatch Place in Reigate.

We support hybrid working with the right balance. We come together in person for 1 days per week on average (20% of the working week), typically rotating between Woodhatch Place and Victoria gate. We then support working from home the rest of the time when you are not in the community visiting providers.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service
• 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 and Childcare Sector Development Team supports early years and school-age childcare providers across Surrey to deliver sustainable, high-quality provision. We provide advice on sufficiency, funding, business sustainability and market development, helping ensure families can access the childcare they need.

This role will lead on the development of school-age childcare provision across East Surrey. A typical day could include supporting the opening of new childcare settings, visiting providers, advising on business planning and financial forecasting, reviewing self-audits and promoting best practice through the playwork principles, including the delivery of training. Whilst school-age childcare will be your primary focus, you will also contribute to the team's wider work with the early years sector.

Using data and intelligence, you will identify areas of need, inform Surrey's childcare sufficiency planning and help shape strategies that improve access for children and families, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

Working in partnership with a range of stakeholders, you will also support with delivering the national free breakfast club programme, helping schools already involved and supporting new schools as the programme expands.

The role includes line management responsibility for an officer within the team, providing supervision, professional support and development opportunities to help drive high-quality practice.

By joining the Early Years and Childcare Sector Development Team, you will play a key role in shaping Surrey's childcare landscape, strengthening provider sustainability, expanding high-quality provision and helping ensure children and families can access the services they need to thrive.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Level 6 Qualification in Early Years, school-age childcare or a similar related field, or significant experience in a related field.
• School-age childcare/relevant experience and progression in previous role
• A good knowledge and understanding of Early Years Funded Early Education Entitlements and Statutory Guidance, including Safeguarding responsibilities.
• Understanding of the impact that additional needs/deprivation/ disadvantage has on the early years and school-age childcare sectors
• Understanding of sufficiency and market management
• Evidence of building professional relationships with providers and communities working in a multi-disciplinary approach
• Ability to lead on work with a range of internal and external partners including education/health/social care
• The ability to lead on projects and achieve outcomes within a set timescale
• Experience in supporting and delivering training presentations
• A full driving licence and a vehicle you are able and willing to use to travel around the county

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

1. What do you think will be the key priorities/challenges within the first 6 months of the role?
2. What motivated you to apply for this role and what knowledge, skills and experience do you bring?
3. Give an example of a time when you worked with a range of partners - such as schools, early years providers, health, social care, or community organisations - to achieve a shared outcome for children and families. What was your role, and how did you build effective and productive relationships?
4. Describe the types of data you have used in your current or previous roles (for example: sufficiency data, demographic trends, financial information or quality indicators). How did you analyse this data, and how did your analysis influence your decision making‑ or improve outcomes for children and families?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 25th October 2026 with interviews planned to follow.

Contact Us

Please contact Charlotte Hards (charlotte.hards@surreycc.gov.uk) for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

Local Government Organisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, 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! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

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 criteria, 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.