Quality Development Advisor at Surrey County Council

This full-time, permanent position 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. This is a hybrid role, supporting early years providers across the county, working remotely (sometimes from home) and working from 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
• 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

Make a real difference to children’s lives in Surrey.

We’re looking for a dynamic and innovative Quality Development Advisor to join our Early Years Educational Effectiveness Team. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of early years provision across Surrey, ensuring every child — especially the most vulnerable — gets the best possible start in life.

As part of our highly motivated team, you’ll work with a wide range of early years providers including nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, and school-based settings, offering expert advice, challenge, and support to drive quality improvement. You’ll lead on the design and implementation of Surrey’s 'Early Years Quality Improvement Award', helping settings embed inclusive, high-quality practice.

Your key responsibilities as a Quality Development Advisor will include:

• Providing advice and practical support to early years providers
• Designing and delivering engaging training programmes for the sector
• Using data to monitor impact and continuously improve outcomes for children
• Building strong partnerships with providers, local teams, and external agencies
• Contributing to Surrey’s Best Start in Life Strategy and national quality improvement principles
  
  
  

This is a role for someone who thrives on collaboration, innovation, and making a measurable impact.

Your Application

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

• A full and relevant Early Years degree (or QTS) as defined by the Department for Education
• Working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, Ofsted framework, and quality improvement systems
• Understanding of the ‘Surrey Best Start Strategy’ and the Early Years National Quality Improvement Principles
• Significant experience across the Early Years (0–5 age) range
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to present data clearly to diverse audiences
• Proven experience in designing and delivering training
• Leadership experience and the ability to influence others
• A commitment to inclusive practice and improving outcomes for vulnerable children
  
  
  

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.

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

• Please confirm below that you hold a full and relevant Early Years degree OR Qualified Teacher Status (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.
  
  
  

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

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Friday 2nd January 2026 with shortlisting planned for Wednesday 7th January 2026 and interviews planned for 15th and 16th January 2026.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Wendy Simpson or Frances Smith via email at [email protected] or [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

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 (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! 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.