Role of the Quality Improvement Team

The Early Years and Childcare Quality Improvement team provide comprehensive and high quality advice, challenge, professional guidance and support to Early Years providers (Childminders, Pre-schools, Nurseries and Out of school clubs) within the Private, Voluntary and Independent sector (PVI).

The team work to ensure providers are effectively implementing the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), setting the standards for learning, development and care for children aged from birth to five.

The primary aim is to continually improve provision ensuring the highest quality experiences leading to all children achieving a good level of development at the end of their Foundation Stage year.

This is achieved by focused visits to providers and training; both universal and bespoke. Opportunities for practitioners, leaders, and committees are provided which enable discussion around pertinent policy and related issues, local initiatives etc. Additional network opportunities are provided such as Early Years Leaders briefings, SENCo networks, Childminder Forums, Out of School networks and Shared Foundation Partnerships.

A new Categorisation process has been developed by the Early Years and Childcare Service.  It sets out the commitment to ensure that providers across the city are of the highest quality and improve outcomes for children.  There is also an expectation that inclusive practice for all vulnerable children attending early years provision is of the highest quality.

You can access the Ofsted website for further information on the inspection of early years provision at: www.ofsted.gov.uk

If you need any support in the implementation of the EYFS please contact:

EYCqualityimprovement@york.gov.uk   Tel: 01904 555300

Quality Improvement Manager Joanne Suggitt-Richardson  Tel: 07825 365852

Out of School Quality Improvement Adviser Karen Long  Tel: 07538 735278

Quality Improvement Inclusion Adviser  Nicola Dos Santos   Tel: 07881 994304

Quality Improvement Adviser  Maxine Horsman  Tel: 07770 702864

Quality Improvement Adviser  Sue Clark   Tel: 07770 851761

Quality Improvement Adviser  Jo Welburn Tel: 07534 437216