Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency Officer

The Education People, a division of the Commercial Services Group, excels in delivering essential services that significantly impact the lives of children. With a team of specialists in various educational fields, they take pride in offering expert-driven services including early years and childcare, equality and inclusion, school improvement and professional development, ensuring comprehensive support for educational institutions. TEP's Early Years & Childcare Service provide support to all early years and childcare providers through training, resources and visits. The Role In Spring 2023, the Government announced that from April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare. From September 2024, 15 hours of free childcare will be extended to working parents of children from the age of nine months and from September 2025, working parents of children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week. Additionally, the Government announced the expansion of breakfast and afterschool clubs known as 'wraparound provision' so that parents of primary school-age children can access childcare in their local area from 8am - 6pm during term time. To assist in the expansion of places across both free early education and wraparound provision, an opportunity has now arisen for a full-time fixed-term post in the Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency & Sustainability Team. They are looking for a hardworking, motivated individual to join the team who has the ability to deliver a targeted service of high-quality expert advice and guidance to early years and out-of-school childcare providers to build a sufficient and sustainable childcare market. The post will be offered initially on a fixed-term basis until end-March 2026. Although a large proportion of your time will be working from home you will be expected to work flexibly to support providers and your colleagues across Kent. Please note, this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service. If you believe you have the necessary skills and experience for this very important role, we would love to hear from you. In return we will offer you:

• 25 days holiday rising to 30 for long service, plus bank holidays
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life assurance cover
• Access to Kent Rewards
• A culture of progression and development
• Flexible working arrangements, Collect and analyze local data to inform planning and reporting on the on-going sufficiency and sustainability of early years and out-of-school childcare. Conduct sufficiency audits to assess provider occupancy, vacancies, and expansion potential, identifying barriers and solutions.
• Lead the development of free early education and childcare places district-wide to fulfill statutory duties under the Childcare Act 2006. Provide grant funding advice to providers and ensure awarded funds meet KCC and DfE audit requirements.
• Offer targeted support to childcare providers to address financial issues and develop action plans for sustainability, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
• In relation to the Free Early Education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds, advising providers on meeting DfE Statutory Guidance and Kent Provider Agreement requirements.
• Deliver expert advice and guidance in small group sessions to ensure a sustainable childcare market. Conduct training workshops on childcare sustainability with high-quality presentations and materials.
• Advise management committees and charity trustees on legal requirements to sustain early years and childcare provision in line with constitutions and Charity Commission regulations.
• Collaborate flexibly with a wide-range of agencies and partners to support the needs of early years and out-of-school childcare providers year-round and at varying times of the day, adjusting to provision patterns.
• Stay updated on national and local developments in childcare to ensure compliance with current regulations and guidance.
  
  A level 3 qualification in business/finance or equivalent and/or a Level 3 in Early Years and Childcare or Playwork
• Extensive experience of working in an advisory/supportive capacity
• A proven track record of assisting with the development of funding bids and business and financial plans
• Experience leading small group work and training
• IT literate, with a strong understanding of Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of all group childcare providers and ability to travel on a county-wide basis when required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent time management
  
  About Commercial Services Group
Commercial Services Group (CSG) is the largest, local authority-owned trading company (LATCO) in the UK, wholly owned by Kent County Council. CSG generates over £800m in revenue per annum and provides services to over 16,000 education and public sector customers globally. CSG is striving to be recognised as the global leader in Education and Public Sector services, currently operating in 86 countries, with 1,800 staff across 28 trading brands, providing expertise ranging from: HR Services, IT Services, Energy, Education Resources, Procurement and many more.