Introduction
The Early Years Support Team works to improve the quality of early years provision across Somerset. Their core aim is to ensure that every child can learn and develop in a safe, positive, and enriching environment. The team supports all types of early years providers to raise standards, strengthen practice, and achieve positive results during Ofsted inspections. They place particular emphasis on helping vulnerable settings make rapid and sustainable improvements.
The team works closely with a wide range of partners within Somerset Council, including the inclusive curriculum team, the virtual school, statutory Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, the education places team, and the funding team. This joined‑up approach ensures a full understanding of each setting’s needs, and that support is coordinated and effective. When questions arise that fall outside the team’s expertise, they make referrals to colleagues with the right specialist knowledge.
Meet the team
Ali Garbett – Service Manager
As Service Manager for the Early Years Support Team, I lead the delivery
of support for early years providers across Somerset. I chair the Early Years Quality Monitoring Group and our provider briefings and contribute to a number of Early Years working groups, helping to coordinate effective and timely support for settings.
I work closely with colleagues across Somerset Council, as well as Ofsted and His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI), to ensure a joined-up approach that promotes high-quality, safe and inclusive early years provision.
I have worked in education settings across Somerset since 2002 and joined the Somerset Early Years Team in 2023.
Jaz Day – Early Years Support officer
As an Early Years Support Officer, I work with nurseries, pre-schools and childminders across Bridgwater, Taunton, North Sedgemoor and West Mendip. I provide advice and guidance on statutory requirements, quality improvement and preparing for Ofsted inspections.
Through on-site visits, collaborative discussions and tailored action planning, I support leaders and practitioners to strengthen provision and achieve positive outcomes for children.
I am a qualified teacher with extensive experience working across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1.
Jo Bower – Early Years Support Officer
As an Early Years Support Officer, I work with nurseries, pre-schools and childminders across Mendip, East Somerset and South Somerset. I provide guidance on statutory requirements, quality improvement and preparing for Ofsted inspections.
Through practical support, constructive challenge and professional discussions, I help providers strengthen their practice and achieve the best possible outcomes for children.
I have worked in the early years sector for more than 35 years, including roles as a nanny, nursery assistant and manager of a large nursery based on a school site before moving to Somerset.
Samantha Davies – Business Support
As a member of the Early Years Support Team, I provide business and administrative support to help ensure the service operates effectively and efficiently. I support colleagues across the team and play a key role in coordinating a range of meetings and events, including the Early Years Partnership, the Quality Improvement Panel and Early Years Briefings.
I work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to ensure providers receive timely information and support. I enjoy contributing to the team’s work and supporting the dedicated early years professionals who help children thrive across Somerset.
I have been a member of the Somerset Early Years Team since 2009.
Working with Early Years providers
The team builds strong relationships with a wide variety of early years providers. These include childminders, private nurseries, voluntary and independent settings, local authority settings, and academy‑based schools. By working in partnership, the team helps providers develop their skills, improve their provision, and achieve better outcomes for children.
Regular contact with providers is an essential part of this work. The team aims to visit every early years setting at least once every two years. These visits help the team understand the real‑life challenges providers face, maintain positive working relationships, and recognise good practice across the county. This approach fosters trust and ensures that support is relevant and well‑informed.
Supporting Vulnerable Settings
A significant part of the team’s role is to support settings that may be at risk of a negative Ofsted outcome or those that have already received one. The team provides tailored guidance and practical solutions to help these settings strengthen their practice and improve outcomes for children.
Support for vulnerable settings is coordinated through the Quality Monitoring Group. This panel brings together early years services within Somerset Council to share information, plan joined‑up support packages and respond quickly when concerns arise. This ensures that settings receive the right help at the right time. It is generally chaired by our team.
Somerset Early Years Specialist
The team also leads the Somerset Early Years Specialist (SEYS) programme. This programme recruits skilled practitioners from strong settings and trains them to act as mentors and coaches. They work directly with other providers, offering hands‑on guidance to improve daily practice. Settings receiving support have given very positive feedback, noting that the practical, in‑person coaching has helped them make lasting improvements. The programme is open to all early years providers. Specialists come from a broad range of backgrounds, including childminding, private and voluntary settings, independent providers, school‑based settings, and committee‑run organisations.
Mentoring for new providers
For childminders, an Early Years Support Officer will carry out a pre‑registration visit once they appear as “proposed” on the provider update list. A follow‑up visit will then be offered between three and six months from opening.
For settings, where we are aware of a new provision opening, an Early Years Support Officer will offer a visit at the point of opening. A follow‑up visit will then be offered between three and six months from opening.
Where we are aware of a new setting, new manager or childminder provision opening in Somerset, we will offer up to three Somerset Early Years Specialists (SEYS) visits to support the provider in achieving high standards at an early stage. This offer will also be available to new setting managers. We encourage the SEYS to maintain the link informally with the new provider once the deployment has concluded.
Communication, Training, and Professional Development
To keep providers informed and supported, the Early Years Support Team oversees several communication channels. These include the early years bulletin and the early years briefings, which share key information, updates, and opportunities. Social media is also used to maintain engagement and provide timely communication.
The team ensures that providers know about training and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities available across the sector. These opportunities help practitioners build confidence, develop their skills, and improve the quality of their provision.
Guidelines regarding our support allocations
Our universal offer
- 1 visit by an EY Support Officer every 2 years
- Email, and phone contact and support
- Dissemination of information through EY briefings, bulletins and our social media pages.
Support for new settings or providers
- Up to two visits, one pre-registration and one in the first few months of opening
- Up to 3 sessions of support from a SEYS
Support for settings highlighted as vulnerable through the Early Years Improvement Group
- Generally, 3 visits from an EY support officer allocated to support the provider
- A SEYS deployed where appropriate. Usual deployments are for 12- or 15-hours support.
Support for settings with RI/NA Ofsted outcomes related to early years
- An EYIT visit from an EY Support Officer to support the provider with completing the Early Years Improvement Tool (see provider agreement for more information).
- Generally, 3 follow-up visits from and EY Support Officer allocated to support the provider
- A SEYS deployed where appropriate. Usual deployments are for 12- or 15-hours support.
Support for settings with or at risk of UI Ofsted outcomes related to early years
- Bespoke package of support
Important Information
Settings have the right to refuse support, but this will be recorded in the setting chronology. Engagement with the Local Authority is an element that Ofsted will check when investigating concerns raised against a provider.
If during any visit we observe a breach of the EYFS framework, we are duty-bound to report this to Ofsted.
If we observe a breach of the Somerset Provider Agreement, this will be reported to the Education Places Team for follow-up.