Early Learning Communication and Language Lead


Company:	Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre
Salary:	Teacher’s Leadership scale 1-4 or Surrey CC pay scale 10 or £500 per day inclusive of travel and expenses.
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Guildford, GU1 1NR
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 1 day remote
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	23 Sept 2026
Closing date:	23 Oct 2026

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Summary

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE LEAD

(4 days per week or 152 days per year)

Promote language-rich environments, develop practitioner knowledge and support communication development for all children.

Please see the Expression of Interest (EOI) for more information and to apply for the Early Years Language Lead role on our website. https://guildfordnscc.surrey.sch.uk/sph/

Your completed forms (EOI and CV) should be emailed to: recruitment@guildfordnscc.surrey.sch.uk

Overseen by the EYSPH lead and working closely with PSED and early maths leads, ELLs will be responsible for:

• Attending training delivered by a DfE appointed subject matter expert and engaging with follow up support provided.

• Developing and delivering a locally specific early language delivery plan outlining plans for sustained support to educators and settings, based on local needs analysis and mapping of existing provision.

• Delivering DfE owned early language professional development

• Early Years Stronger Practice CPD – language for educators working with children aged 2-4 module (based on the EYPDP3 languages module)

• Early Years Stronger Practice CPD – language for educators working with children under 2 module (new module)

ELLs will deliver each module to a minimum of two cohorts (between 12-18 educators) per term. Each module will be delivered over 6-12 weeks and will include a welcome webinar, facilitation of 3 webinars of 90 mins – 2hrs in length each and support to educators during the course.

• Providing bespoke support on early language to a minimum of four settings per term underpinned by coaching approaches, modelling of practice and opportunities for reflection. This will include supporting settings to develop bespoke action plans to address identified needs and strengthen practice.

• Supporting early years settings/educators to select, adapt and embed evidence-informed approaches and interventions.

• Being an active member of a national and regional ELL network, to share best practice and promote a joined-up approach across the 0–5 agenda, fostering greater coherence, consistency, and impact in service delivery involving English Hubs where appropriate.

• Working with local authorities Surrey and Hampshire and other relevant stakeholders e.g. Best Start Family Hubs, English Hubs etc to understand local needs, identify gaps, prevent duplication of services, and reduce the risk of fragmentation, thereby strengthening coherence across the local system.

• Working in partnership with Best Start Family Hubs, English Hubs, local speech and language therapists and health services (including the ELSEC programme where it runs locally).

• Encouraging settings to identify and use, in conjunction with high quality communication friendly practice, an effective screening tool annually with all children, to identify language delays and SEND.

• Maintaining accurate records of progress against Key Performance Indicators, impact and feedback from settings and other local stakeholders to inform practice and share with hubs and DfE.

• Participating in existing language networks in the region.

If you are committed to continuous professional development and keen to make a wider impact, we would love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of Early Years education!

These roles will be contracted by the SPH at the following pay rates: Teacher’s Leadership scale 1-4 or Surrey CC pay scale 10 or £500 per day inclusive of travel and expenses.

They are funded until March 2028 in the first instance, with the possibility of contracts being extended, subject to funding. These roles can be term-time only with some holiday working, or all year round. However, the number of days per year is fixed. We will consider job shares.

Roles can be undertaken in one of three ways:

• Being paid directly as a self-employed contractor/consultant

• By agreed release from your existing role, with payment to be made to your setting for your release

• Possible fixed-term contract up to March 2028

Closing date: midday, 12 October 2026

Interviews will be held on:

• PSED Subject lead: 9 or 10 November 2026

• Maths Subject Lead: 9 or 10 November 2026

• Language Subject Lead: 9 or 10 November 2026

If you would like to discuss these roles further, please contact the Surrey and Hampshire Early Years Stronger Practice Hub: sally@guildfordnscc.surrey.sch.uk

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