Early Years Development Advisor (EYDA) 0-7

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Learning & development opportunities

Car lease scheme

Discounts at high street and online

Online GP appointments

Employee assistance programme

Physiotherapy services

Flexible/remote working

Job summary

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is recruiting an Early Years Development Adviser 0-7 to join the 0-11 team within Children’s Services. You will support schools and early years, lead School Readiness, and promote inclusive high‑quality learning with professionals across diverse settings.

The role focuses on improving outcomes for children aged 0-7, developing training, and forming strong partnerships to drive continuous improvement. Fixed-term to December 2027 with potential secondments.

Qualifications

• Experience in Early Years and/or Key Stage 1 education.
• Strong knowledge of inclusive learning and development.
• Ability to lead improvement and support positive change across settings.
• Builds effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support schools and early years settings to improve outcomes for children aged 0-7.
• Lead and deliver key elements of the School Readiness programme.
• Promote inclusive, high-quality learning and development practices.
• Provide advice, challenge and support to education professionals.
• Design and deliver engaging training and professional development.
• Build strong partnerships to drive continuous improvement across the sector.

Skills

EY/KS1 experience

Change leadership

Relationship building

Communication skills

Organisation

Interpersonal skills

Job description

• Do you have a passion for ensuring that all children make an excellent start to their education?
• Are you an experienced leader with a good working knowledge of inclusive learning and development in the Early Years and Key Stage 1?
• Have you had successful experience of working with others to lead improvement?

If so, this exciting opportunity could be right for you!

As an Early Years Development Adviser 0-7, you will join the 0-11 team, part of the Education, Inclusion and Achievement team within Children’s Services.

The schools and settings within the Borough are diverse, representing different communities and structures, all of whom share a determination for achieving excellent outcomes for children and young people. The Education, Inclusion and Achievement team has a successful track record of working in partnership with schools, academies, settings and other services to achieve rising standards.

In this role, you will:

• Support schools and early years settings to improve outcomes for children aged 0-7.
• Lead and deliver key elements of the School Readiness programme.
• Promote inclusive, high-quality learning and development practices.
• Provide advice, challenge and support to education professionals.
• Design and deliver engaging training and professional development.
• Build strong partnerships to drive continuous improvement across the sector.

A key part of the role is working directly with staff in schools and settings to promote outstanding learning and development opportunities for children aged 0-7, particularly through our School Readiness programme with a significant focus on improving outcomes.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has substantial experience in Early Years and/or Key Stage 1 education.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children aged 0-7.
• Can lead improvement and support positive change across settings.
• Has strong knowledge of inclusive learning and development.
• Builds effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Has excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

This is a fixed term contract covering maternity leave. The expected duration of the contract is until December 2027 but will be reviewed periodically with the post holder.

As this is a fixed term post, secondment opportunities will be considered. Please obtain prior approval from your current manager before completing the application.

To learn more about the role and what we’re looking for, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification in the Supporting Documents section.

Why join us?

At Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, we know that great people deliver great services. That’s why we are committed to creating a workplace where employees are trusted, valued and supported.

In return, we offer an attractive benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement. Ability to purchase additional leave is also available.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement.
• Access to a number of other employee benefits including learning & development opportunities, a car lease scheme, discounts at high street and online retailers, access to online GP appointments, an employee assistance programme and physiotherapy services.

And that’s not all – you can also work flexibly where you can work part of your week at home.

Think this could be the right opportunity for you?

We’d love to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

Emma Milburn -General Adviser 0-11

[e-mail]

We expect to hold interviews on 23 October 2026. If you are shortlisted, you will be notified via North East Jobs.

Please note that we’re unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so candidates will need to have an existing right to work in the UK.

Important Applicant Guidance

You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.

Application Updates and Communication:

All updates regarding your application, including interview invitations, will be sent from ‘[e-mail]’ to the email linked to your North East Jobs account, and will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your account.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions):

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended). Applicants are therefore required to disclose all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, including those which would normally be considered spent, subject to the filtering rules applicable under current legislation.

Right to Work:

All applicants must provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK in accordance with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s statutory employment checks. Employment cannot commence or continue unless this has been verified.

Council Principles:

The Council’s recruitment principles require fairness, transparency, and a commitment to attracting and developing local talent.

Limitations:

Where an individual cannot demonstrate a valid right to work in the UK, the Council will be unable to progress or continue the appointment. This includes cases where an existing employee’s visa is due to expire and sponsorship is not granted.