Early Years Stronger Practice Advisers (EYSPA)
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Apply Here for Group Based Applications
Apply Here For Childminder Applications
Expert bespoke support to strengthen practice, build confidence and improve outcomes for children.
The Early Years Stronger Practice Advisers (EYSPA) programme offers fully funded, tailored support to Early Years settings and Childminders, delivered by experienced professionals who understand the opportunities and challenges of working in the Early Years sector.
Whether you are looking to strengthen leadership, develop everyday practice, address specific challenges or better support children with additional needs, your dedicated Early Years Stronger Practice Adviser will work alongside you to identify priorities, explore solutions and make meaningful, lasting improvements.
The programme forms part of the government's ambition to improve outcomes for children and increase the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD)to 75% by 2028.
At REACHout Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, we are committed to helping Early Years Educators feel supported, empowered and confident in delivering high-quality early education and care.
What makes this support different?
REACHout has a dedicated team of experienced Early Years Stronger Practice Advisers who provide personalised, practical support shaped around the individual needs and circumstances of your setting.
Unlike one-off training sessions, the EYSPA programme provides opportunities for ongoing professional dialogue, reflection and development.
Our advisers work collaboratively with leaders and practitioners to turn knowledge into meaningful action through:
- Tailored coaching and professional support to build confidence and strengthen leadership.
- Observation and reflective practice to explore everyday experiences, interactions and learning opportunities.
- Evidence-informed advice and guidance to support informed decision-making.
- Practical action planning to identify achievable priorities and next steps.
- Ongoing professional dialogue to encourage reflection, build professional confidence and embed sustainable improvements.
We recognise that every Early Years setting is different. Our approach is flexible, supportive and responsive to your individual circumstances.
Support for group-based settings...
For nurseries, preschools and other group-based early years settings, support is delivered face-to-face, within your own setting.
This allows your adviser to gain a meaningful understanding of your environment, work alongside your team and provide practical guidance that is directly relevant to your everyday practice.
Support for Childminders...
We recognise the unique opportunities and challenges of childminding.
Our childminder support is delivered through small, virtually facilitated groups, offering flexibility around your daily commitments while creating valuable opportunities to connect, reflect and learn alongside other childminders.
These supportive sessions provide a space to share experiences, explore challenges and develop confidence in your practice.
Who can receive support?
The EYSPA programme is designed to support early years settings and childminders who would particularly benefit from additional professional guidance.
Settings may be eligible if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Have received an Ofsted judgement of Requires Improvement or Inadequate under the previous inspection framework, or Needs Attention or Urgent Improvement in any area under the new framework, indicating that improvement is needed.
- Have children eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP).
- Have children eligible for the Early Learning for 2-Year-Olds Offer.
- Support significant numbers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The programme focuses on helping leaders and practitioners recognise their strengths, identify priorities for development and build the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to drive positive change.
What does the support include?
Every support package is tailored to the needs of the individual setting or Childminder.
Depending on your circumstances, support may include:
- Leadership coaching: Developing confidence, strengthening leadership skills and supporting professional decision-making.
- Observation and co-observation: Exploring everyday practice together and identifying opportunities to strengthen children's learning experiences.
- Identifying strengths and areas for development: Recognising what is working well and agreeing meaningful priorities.
- Improvement planning and review: Creating achievable action plans, reflecting on progress and celebrating improvements.
- Access to evidence-informed resources: Signposting to high-quality professional development, training and guidance available through REACHout Early Years Stronger Practice Hub and the wider Stronger Practice Hub network.
- Supportive, collaborative and focused on you
The EYSPA programme is not an inspection. It is not about judging your setting or simply preparing for an Ofsted visit.
Instead, it is an opportunity to work alongside an experienced Early Years professional who understands the realities of practice and is committed to helping you succeed.
Our advisers are here to listen, encourage, challenge thinking constructively and help you develop approaches that work for your children, your team and your setting.
The focus is on building confidence, strengthening practice and achieving sustainable improvements that make a genuine difference to children's experiences and outcomes.
Interested in receiving support?
We would love to hear from you!
If you are a nursery, preschool, group-based setting or Childminder and would like to explore how the EYSPA programme could support you, please complete the relevant Expression of Interest Form below.
Our REACHout team will guide you through the next steps and help you understand what support may be available.