Early Years and Childcare Service – meet the team

This page is under development.

  • Early Years and Childcare Service - Localities

    The Early Years and Childcare Service teams are locality based. Below is a map showing the three locality areas of Devon. The three areas are: Exeter and East, North and Mid and South and West.

    Locality map of Devon.
    Early Years and Childcare Service locality map.

  • Early Years and Childcare Service - Structure

    The structure of each locality team is set out below with the early years section highlighted in ‘green’ and the schools section highlighted in ‘blue’.

    Structure of each locality team within the Early Years and Childcare Service.

    • Our team contacts:

    • North and Mid Devon
      Role Name Contact details Learning community
      Team Leads
      Early Years Locality Service Lead Amy Fedrick Amy.fedrick@devon.gov.uk All of North and Mid
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Team Lead Nikki Phillips Nikki.phillips@devon.gov.uk All of North and Mid
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioners (EYIP)
      Senior Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (SEYIP) Mercy Darby Mercy.darby@devon.gov.uk All of North and Mid
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Helen Dickerson Helen.dickerson@devon.gov.uk Barnstaple, Torrington, Braunton, Ilfracombe, Lynton, Bideford
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Nicola Martin Nicola.martin@devon.gov.uk Bideford, Holsworthy
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Lindsay Kuzara Lindsay.kuzara@devon.gov.uk Crediton, Tiverton, South Molton
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Debra Heywood Debra.heywood@devon.gov.uk Culm Valley, Tiverton
      Vacancy
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partners (EYQIP)
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partner (EYQIP) Sally Rice Sally.rice@devon.gov.uk Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Braunton, Bideford, Holsworthy
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partner (EYQIP) Emily Jaworski (temporary cover) emily.jaworski@devon.gov.uk Torrington, Chulmleigh, South Molton
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partner (EYQIP) Karen Salter Karen.salter@devon.gov.uk Crediton, Tiverton, Culm Valley
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisors (EYSWA)
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Liz Carroll Liz.carroll@devon.gov.uk Torrington, Bideford, Holsworthy
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Helen Stephenson Helen.stephenson@devon.gov.uk South Molton, Tiverton,
      Culm Valley, Crediton
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Katy Vallance Katy.vallance@devon.gov.uk Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Braunton, Chulmleigh
    • Exeter and East Devon
      Role Name  Contact details Learning community
      Team Leads
      Early Years Locality Service Lead Katie Johnson Katie.johnson@devon.gov.uk All of Exeter and East
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Team Lead Tamsin Robertson Tamsin.robertson@devon.gov.uk All of Exeter and East
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioners (EYIP)
      Senior Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (SEYIP) Donna Lester Donna.lester@devon.gov.uk All of Exeter and East
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Jemma Harrison Jemma.harrison@devon.gov.uk
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Rachael Schaechter Rachael.schaechter@devon.gov.uk Exmouth
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Amanda Hawkins Amanda.hawkins@devon.gov.uk
      Vacancy
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partners (EYQIP)
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partner (EYQIP) Julie Paddick Julie.paddick@devon.gov.uk Axe Valley, Exeter Central and Chestnut, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partner (EYQIP) Louise Carter Louise.carter@devon.gov.uk Beacon, Clyst Vale, Exmouth, West Exe
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisors (EYSWA)
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Alexa Gill Alexa.gill@devon.gov.uk Exeter Central and Chestnut, West Exe
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Kerry Thorne  Kerry.thorne@devon.gov.uk Axe Valley, Honiton, Ottery St Mary
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Neil Copland Neil.copland@devon.gov.uk Exeter Beacon, Exmouth
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Nik Wills Nik.wills@devon.gov.uk Clyst Vale, Sidmouth
    • South and West
      Role Name Contact details Learning community
      Team Leads
      Early Years Locality Service Lead Sam Chapman Samantha.Chapman@devon.gov.uk All of South and West
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Team Lead Sue Bolt Sue.bolt@devon.gov.uk All of South and West
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioners (EYIP)
      Senior Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (SEYIP) Mandy Astin Amanda.astin@devon.gov.uk All of South and West
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Marie Loader Marie.loader@devon.gov.uk Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Chudleigh, Totnes
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Cara Lye Cara.lye@devon.gov.uk Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Chudleigh, Totnes
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Jacqueline Goult Jacqueline.goult@devon.gov.uk Totnes, South Brent, Newton Abbot, Okehampton, Hatherleigh, Tavistock
      Early Years Inclusion Practitioner (EYIP) Helen Barton Helen.barton@devon.gov.uk Tavistock, Okehampton, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Woolwell
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partners (EYQIP)
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partner (EYQIP) Sarah Murts Sarah.murts@devon.gov.uk Totnes, Kingsbridge, Dartmouth, Ivybridge, Tavistock
      Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partner (EYQIP) Ella Rice Ella.rice@devon.gov.uk Okehampton, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Teign Valley, South Dartmoor
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisors (EYSWA)
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Lorna Pitts Lorna.pitts@devon.gov.uk

      Totnes, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Dartmouth

      (temporarily covering Tavistock)
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Beth Trantham Beth.trantham@devon.gov.uk Currently on secondment until the 30th June 2026 as HAF Co-ordinator. Upon their return there will be a further review of areas.
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Sharon Gehringer Sharon.gehringer@devon.gov.uk Newton Abbot, South Dartmoor, Teign Valley
      Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor (EYSWA) Cover on adhoc basis Teignmouth, Dawlish, Okehampton
    • Early years funding team

      We process and administer the Early Years Entitlement Funding for under 5s. This includes the 2 year old funding for families receiving additional support, universal entitlement for 3 & 4 year olds, Working Entitlement for eligible children of all ages, Early Years Pupil Premium, Disability Access Funding and SEN Individual Inclusion Funding.

      We provide an Early Years Funding Helpdesk that is usually available from 9.00am to 4.00pm, Monday – Friday. This is primarily for providers to contact us if they have any queries or questions with regards to Early Years Funding.

      We process applications:

      • from new providers wishing to register to accept the Early Years Entitlement Funding
      • for children who may be entitled to 2-year-old funding
      • for Disability Access Funding
      • for children who may be entitled to SEN Individual Inclusion Funding.
      • We also provide administrative support to our locality teams.

      Providers can contact us by telephoning the Early Years Funding Helpdesk on 01392 385530 or by emailing eyef@devon.gov.uk

      • Marie Stone: Early Years Accountant
      • Louise Smith: Early Years Funding Team Lead
      • Jessica Smith: Early Years Support Officer
      • Karen Baker: Early Years Support Assistant
      • Alison Wilkinson: Early Years Support Assistant
      • Phi Huynh-Baldock: SEN Administrator
    • Early years and childcare data and sufficiency

      Key roles:

      • We analyse data and write the Childcare Sufficiency Annual Report for parents and County Councillors to see how we are meeting the duty to ensure there is enough high quality, inclusive, accessible and affordable early years and childcare provision
      • We monitor and report on the take up of funded hours and places (universal entitlement, extended entitlement, 2 year old funding, EYPP, DAF, Inclusion Funding) so the Early Years and Childcare Advisers (EYCAS) can support providers to improve take up. This is also reported back to the Department for Education
      • Our team oversees and manages the Provider Self Update and Find Childcare
      • Our work takes into account changes to the local population, postcodes, new housing developments etc. We also monitor and report on Ofsted outcomes in early years and childcare settings and schools where they manage nurseries and governor run preschools. The Ofsted data informs the work the EYCAS and Early Years Consultants (EYC) do as part of Early Years One process to improve quality
      • The surveys sent to parents about the supply and demand of and for childcare come from our team. We also consider the ages of children, whether they have SEND and what childcare is needed to different working families and where
      • The childcareinformation-mailbox@devon.gov.uk is managed by our team
      • We send out the invitations to families that may have an eligible 2 year old directing them to the Citizens Portal to check their eligibility. We also send out follow up communications if parents have not taken up a place or not checked their eligibility.

      Fran leads on the development of early years provision in schools, nursery admissions and policy within the service.

      Early years and Childcare Sufficiency Lead: Fran Butler: fran.butler@devon.gov.uk or 01392 383000

      Early Years and Childcare Data Analysts:

      Assistant Management Information Officer (Early Years and Childcare):

      Research and Evaluation Manager:

      Nick is responsible for managing early years and childcare and family hub data collection and analysis.

    • Early years workforce development

      The Workforce Development Team can support all early years and childcare practitioners in Devon with the following:

      • Recruitment: supporting early years and childcare providers to advertise early years job adverts
      • Training: supporting early years and childcare providers to access training opportunities on the Devon Education Services Shop.

      For General Enquiries email: eywd@devon.gov.uk

      Workforce Development Administrator, Natalie Elston: natalie.elston@devon.gov.uk or 01392 383844

    • Holidays, activities and food programme (HAF)

      The HAF programme provides enriching activities and hot meals for children who are eligible for Benefit related Free School Meals.

      Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

      HAF Co-ordinator, Beth Trantham: Beth.trantham@devon.gov.uk

    • Wraparound childcare

      I manage the funding applications and process for the Wraparound Childcare programme.

      Wraparound childcare – Information for childcare providers (devon.gov.uk)

      Wraparound Childcare Programme Lead, Tania Skinner: tania.skinner@devon.gov.uk or 01392 381990

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