At a Glance
- Tasks: Support childcare providers and ensure high-quality services for children aged 4-14.
- Company: Join Leicestershire County Council's dynamic Early Years, Inclusion and Childcare Service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with passionate professionals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and contribute to community development.
- Qualifications: Level 6 qualification or equivalent experience in childcare practice required.
The predicted salary is between 43860 - 47829 € per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA
Salary: £43,860 - £47,829 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) (Pay Award Pending)
Working Hours: 37 Hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed term for 12 months, Secondment for 12 months
Closing Date: 31st May 2026
Interview Date(s): 4th June 2026
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join our Early Years, Inclusion and Childcare Service as a Senior Childcare Improvement & Sufficiency Officer on a one-year fixed-term basis (or secondment opportunity).
About the Role
This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a highly skilled and enthusiastic team. You will play a key role in supporting new childcare providers through the Ofsted registration process, as well as working with existing school-age childcare settings to ensure the delivery of high-quality provision. You will work closely with Early Years settings and schools to deliver the school-age childcare programme. This includes supporting the national rollout of free breakfast clubs and strengthening links between holiday childcare provision and the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Your work will help maximise opportunities and contribute to the development of a sustainable school-age childcare market. A key aspect of the role will involve gathering and analysing data and evidence to support submissions to the Department for Education (DfE). You will also need to be willing to travel to appointments and a range of venues as required.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide line management and coordination for the Childcare Improvement Sufficiency Officers, ensuring effective delivery of the service.
- Lead on securing sufficient childcare places to meet parental demand, including provision for children with additional needs across out-of-school and wraparound settings.
- Monitor, support, and challenge out-of-school childcare providers to ensure high-quality provision for children aged 4–14.
- Ensure providers delivering the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme offer high-quality services and, where required, comply with Ofsted welfare standards.
- Work collaboratively with a range of internal local authority teams and external partners to support service priorities.
- Coordinate and oversee support for providers seeking Ofsted registration, ensuring new childcare settings are fully prepared for their first inspection.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post. For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- A relevant Level 6 qualification (e.g. Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Professional) or equivalent demonstrable experience.
- Proven track record of outstanding childcare practice, with experience in observing, evaluating quality of learning, and providing constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement.
- Excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), including statutory welfare requirements, alongside a sound understanding of play work principles and their application to childcare practice.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding requirements for children and young people.
- Ability to interpret and use data effectively to inform decision-making and service improvement.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire, influence and build effective partnerships with a range of stakeholders.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Jo Fisher - Childcare Sufficiency and Organisational Development Team Manager Email: jo.fisher@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally. If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
For tips on how to write your statement, see the How to Apply section on our career site. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Senior Childcare Improvement Sufficiency Officer - (Fixed Term ) in Leicester employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a commitment to flexible working arrangements and a focus on delivering high-quality services for the community, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while developing your skills alongside a passionate team dedicated to early years and childcare improvement.
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Childcare Improvement Sufficiency Officer - (Fixed Term ) in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Leicestershire County Council and their Early Years, Inclusion and Childcare Service. Understanding their values and priorities will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to childcare. This can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral, which can boost your chances of landing that job!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Practise answering questions about your childcare practice and how you've driven improvements in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, make sure to include a strong supporting statement that highlights how you meet the criteria – this is your chance to shine!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Childcare Improvement Sufficiency Officer - (Fixed Term ) in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Passion for Childcare:Let your enthusiasm for childcare shine through! Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children's lives or improved childcare services in your previous roles. We love to see candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for clarity in your communication skills, so make every word count!
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get your application in as soon as you can. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and statutory welfare requirements. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics, but that you truly understand how they apply in practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully improved childcare practices or supported providers through the Ofsted registration process. This will help demonstrate your proven track record and how you can bring that expertise to the team.
✨Data is Key
Since the role involves gathering and analysing data, be ready to discuss how you’ve used data in previous positions to inform decision-making and drive service improvements. Bring along any relevant examples that highlight your analytical skills.
✨Engage with the Values
Familiarise yourself with Leicestershire County Council's values and be prepared to discuss how you align with them. Showing that you share their commitment to accessible and inclusive services will set you apart as a candidate who truly cares about making a difference.
