Expert 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 from experienced professionals across the sector.
Whether you are looking to strengthen leadership, address specific challenges in your setting or support children with additional needs, your dedicated Early Years Stronger Practice Adviser will work alongside you to help identify priorities, develop solutions and embed lasting improvements.
The programme is part of the governments ambition to improve outcomes for children and increase the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development by 2028.
What makes this support different?
HEART has a dedicated team of advisers who provide tailored, practical support based on your needs and circumstances.
Unlike one off training sessions, our advisers work directly with settings to help leaders turn knowledge into action through:
- Tailored coaching and professional support
- Observation and reflection on day-to-day practice
- Evidence-informed advice and guidance
- Practical action planning
- Ongoing professional dialogue focused on sustainable improvement
Group based support is delivered face-to-face, in your setting, making it accessible and flexible for leaders.
For childminders, support is delivered to small groups that can be accessed virtually, providing flexibility around your daily commitments whilst still offering opportunities to learn alongside peers.
Who can receive support?
The programme is designed to support those settings who would most benefit from additional expert guidance. Settings are eligible if they:
- Have received an Ofsted judgement of Requires Improvement or Inadequate under the previous 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 SEND.
Support is focused on helping leaders identify priorities for improvement and build the confidence, knowledge and systems needed to drive positive change.
What does support include?
Every support package is tailored to your setting but typically includes:
- Coaching for leaders.
- Observation and/or co-observation of practice.
- Identification of strengths and area for development
- Improvement planning and review
- Signposting to high-quality resources, training and wider support available through the EY Stronger Practice Hub network.
The programme is not an inspection and isn’t just about preparing settings for inspection. It is a supportive, collaborative opportunity to work with an experienced professional who understands the realities of early years practice and can help you achieve sustainable change.
Interested in receiving support?
If you would like to apply for support or discuss whether your setting could benefit from the programme, please complete the relevant Expression of Interest Form below.
Group Based Setting Expression of Interest Form
Childminders Expression of Interest Form
Meet HEART's EYSPA Team
Sarah Evans
Hello, I’m Sarah
I’m an EYSPA and a Teacher and Outdoor Lead at a Maintained Nursery School in Birmingham. My journey in Early Years education began in 2005 as part of an action research project, and I have experience of working alongside colleagues from a variety of settings, including Maintained Nursery Schools, PVIs, Special schools and Primary schools. I’ve also worked in outreach, helping to create and facilitate Early Years networks.
I’m passionate about fostering wellbeing and creativity for adults and children, particularly in the outdoors, and I strive for inclusion for all and adapt personalised approaches. I believe a strength of the Early Years sector is collaboration: through reflection and sharing practice, new perspectives are created and confidence and personal growth are nurtured. As an EYSPA, I can support settings with outdoor learning, EAL, communication and language, PSED, curriculum, disadvantage and leadership.
Naomi Watkins
Hello, I'm Naomi
I’m an EYSPA and an Early Years Lead at a school. I’ve worked in a variety of settings throughout my career, including as a deputy manager of a private nursery and within school EYFS settings. I’ve lived and breathed early years from the start of my career and have a wealth of knowledge across many areas of the EYFS.
I’m particularly passionate about play and Forest School and believe the power of play and outdoor learning is incredible. I love watching children grow and learn, and as an EYSPA I’m here to support and empower practitioners, offering support and advice while helping them to make new connections and focus on what matters within their early years setting.
Kate Taylor
Hello, I’m Kate
I’m an EYSPA and a Class Teacher, SENDCo and Inclusion Lead at Weoley Castle Nursery School in Birmingham. I’ve been an EYFS Class Teacher for around 12 years, working with children aged 2–5 across preschool and nursery settings, and I qualified as a SENDCo in 2017. I also have an MA in Education (SEND and Inclusion) and a BSc in Psychology.
I’m passionate about inclusion and ensuring that all children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, experience equity and equality in their education. I enjoy working with children, families and practitioners to problem-solve and break down barriers to learning, using a reflective and nurturing approach. As an EYSPA, I want to help practitioners find their strengths and find solutions that enable children to access learning in a way that suits them, while also being manageable and maintainable for practitioners.
Lyndsey Handy
Hello, I’m Lyndsey
I’m an EYSPA and I run a busy childminding business alongside three members of staff, providing EYFS childcare, wraparound childcare and Happy Healthy Active Holiday Clubs. I have over 20 years’ experience working within the Early Years sector, across day nurseries, pre-schools, wraparound provision and school-based nurseries, and I’ve been childminding for just over 15 years. I’ve also mentored and supported other childminders for my local authority and supported childminders through the Covid Recovery Programme.
I’m passionate about child-led play, giving children the freedom to explore, investigate and follow their own interests while developing independence and problem-solving skills. I genuinely enjoy supporting other childminders through shared practice, collaboration and professional growth. As an EYSPA, I offer bespoke, non-judgemental, one-to-one support through coaching, modelling, reflective dialogue and evidence-informed guidance, helping childminders strengthen their practice, build confidence and develop practical, sustainable action plans.
Sarah Martin
Hello, I’m Sarah
I’m an EYSPA and the Trust EYFS Lead for Washwood Heath Multi Academy Trust, where I work across the Trust to support leaders and practitioners in developing high-quality, inclusive Early Years provision. Before becoming Trust EYFS Lead, I was an Assistant Headteacher and worked across both the Early Years and Key Stage 1. I have an MSc in Education Leadership and Management, with my Master’s dissertation focusing specifically on transitions within the EYFS.
I’m particularly passionate about leadership, inclusion and transitions within the Early Years. I really enjoy working alongside leaders, teachers and practitioners, taking time to understand the individual ethos, vision and context of each setting. As an EYSPA, I can support teams through coaching, professional dialogue and evidence-informed practice, helping them recognise their strengths, identify priorities and consider meaningful next steps for improvement.
Interested in receiving support?
If you would like to apply for support or discuss whether your setting could benefit from the programme, please complete the relevant Expression of Interest Form below.