Devon County Council re-design of education and learning services – early years and childcare update: 19th September 2025

Posted on 18 September 2025 in News and updates

Dear Early Years and Childcare Providers,

We are writing to share some important updates regarding the evolving structure of Devon County Council’s Education Services, and what this means for Early Years and Childcare.

The Education Service has now been renamed Inclusion and Learning, reflecting a broader and more integrated approach. The redesign aims to strengthen locality working and enhance services supporting children with SEND, their families and their settings.

Leadership and service redesign

Over recent months, Devon County Council has been reviewing how Education Services are structured and delivered. This has led to a refreshed leadership team and a renewed strategic focus:

  • Kellie Knott has been appointed permanently as Deputy Director for SEND
  • Jack Newton has joined as Deputy Director for Inclusion and Learning

Early years and childcare – what’s changing?

Early Years and Childcare services will be moving to sit within the three locality teams. The localities will be arranged as South and West, Exeter and East and North and Mid. We will provide more detail on the areas in our future communications. While roles and responsibilities remain broadly similar, this redesign is intended to improve the quality and responsiveness of our services for children, families, and settings.

We are committed to working in partnership with providers to shape and refine our ways of working. Your input will be vital as we co-develop our future service offer.

However, for the next few weeks there are no changes to your named advisors and consultants and the processes for accessing additional support through Nursery Plus and Early Years Complex Needs teams will remain as they are.  Any work that has been arranged will be delivered as planned.

We are aware that a couple of our consultants have retired and for now please continue to liaise with the relevant contact you have been given, and we will ensure someone responds to your queries.

Leadership contacts for early years by locality

There is no longer a single Head of Service for Early Years and Childcare. Instead, leadership will be shared across the three locality teams, and these will be the senior points of contact: However as noted above please continue to contact your relevant team links.

Ongoing communication

To keep you informed and supported throughout this transition period, we will be sharing weekly updates. These will outline key changes, timelines, and practical implications to help minimize disruption for you and the children in your care.