Supporting Quality Improvement

The quality assurance team collaborates with member and non-member settings to support quality improvement and the ongoing development of best practices. A universal offer exists to support all providers, while member settings will have access to the extended offer of advice, guidance, and visits. Member settings can also request several bespoke, in-house training courses at a reduced cost.

Cambridgeshire childminder support is contracted through Coram PACEY, which supports childminders and other childcare settings with national agencies and organisations. Coram PACEY nationally is regularly involved in many discussions with the DfE and other national agencies on an array of topics and submits evidence when requested about the childcare sector.

In Cambridgeshire, the support for childminders is through the Coram PACEY team, who are in contact with all childminders, supporting them with their practice and business. Registered childminders are able to seek support from their Cambridgeshire Childminding Support and Development Officers and also access the Coram PACEY Information Hub to keep up to date and help them make decisions about their business, whether they are Coram PACEY members or not.

Coram PACEY Team

Central Email: childminding@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Members of Coram PACEY are also able to access online training to complete on a wide range of topics.

We also have an early years Intervention Team who provide training, support, guidance, and challenge, in accordance with the local authority's statutory responsibilities. For example, if an Ofsted inspection finds the quality of early years provision needs to improve. 

Early years advisers work with schools delivering the early years foundation stage (EYFS) and are responsible for sustaining and improving the quality of practice and provision. Early years improvement advisers work with schools delivering the EYFS to secure rapid improvements for those in an Ofsted category and/or causing concern.

Early years advisers provide support to the maintained sector in the following ways:

• Annual Membership Offer to Maintained Schools, Independent Schools, and Academies.
• Professional Development Programme.
• Briefings and Forums.
• EYFS School Practitioners (Cambridgeshire) - Knowledge Hub.

Within this Knowledge Hub group, you can access the school’s version of the Quality Framework. The Quality Framework is a self-evaluation and quality development toolkit for school-based settings to enable them to develop accurate self-assessment and action plans.

EYLPs work with early years advisers across the county to support the quality of the EYFS. They can offer a wide range of skills and experience to support settings through peer support, which could include visits to their setting or to your own. Their details are available at Cambridgeshire County Council Early Years Leaders (PVI) - Knowledge Hub.

If you would like to arrange support from an EYLP, contact your early years advisor.

EYLPs work with early years advisers and early years improvement advisers across the county to support the quality of the EYFS. They can offer a wide range of skills and experience to suit individual needs and requirements. Their details are available at EYFS School Practitioners (Cambridgeshire) - Knowledge Hub.

EYLPs are available to offer support at their own schools as well as make visits to other schools. If you would like to arrange support from an EYLP, please make contact with an early years adviser working with schools in your area.