 As we prepare for the next stage of Early Years support across Portsmouth, we would like to share some changes to the Early Years Quality and Sufficiency Officer (QSO) role. These changes will help us provide a more consistent citywide service while ensuring settings continue to receive high-quality support, advice and training.
Many of you will already know the members of our QSO team: Layla Riches, Hannah Rapley and Vicky Taylor (pictured above from left to right). We would also like to remind providers that Hannah Rapley has taken over from Gill Park, who is now working in her new role as Early Years Funding Coordinator.
A new way of working
From September 2026, the QSO team will no longer work within specific localities and settings will no longer have a named QSO contact.
Instead, all non-urgent enquiries should be sent to: EYdelivery@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
This shared mailbox will be monitored daily by the QSO team, ensuring that enquiries are picked up promptly and directed to the most appropriate officer. We kindly ask that settings do not use individual QSO email addresses for routine enquiries going forward.
For more urgent enquiries that need a quicker response, you can call the Early Years and Childcare Service on 023 9284 1974 and our Business Support Assistants will put you through to the available QSO.
This new approach will allow the team to work more flexibly across the city, making the best use of expertise and ensuring support is available where it is needed most.
Continuing to support quality improvement
Although the way we manage enquiries is changing, our commitment and priority to supporting Portsmouth's early years sector remains the same.
The QSO team will continue to support early years and school aged childcare providers in the following ways:
- Enable settings to continue to deliver and develop the quality of their EYFS practice, meet statutory requirements, business sustainability and supporting all aspects of safeguarding children.
- Deliver training and professional development opportunities.
- Deliver Early Years Quality Audits across Portsmouth to support providers to prepare for their Ofsted inspections.
- Work closely with new providers while they set up their business and work towards their first Ofsted inspections.
- Advising and helping individual settings manage and support children with complex SEND and challenging behaviour.
These changes are part of our preparations for Local Government Reorganisation, which is expected to take place in 2028, when Portsmouth City Council will join with neighbouring local authorities as part of wider local government reform. By adapting our ways of working now, we can ensure our services remain effective, responsive and sustainable for the future.
Meet the team and their areas of specialism
To further strengthen the support available to providers, each QSO will have a designated area of specialism.
Layla Riches
I provide tailored support to new early years providers from the initial planning stages through to opening and beyond. This includes guidance on registration requirements, business planning, safeguarding, staffing, policies, and creating high-quality learning environments. My aim is to help providers navigate the process with confidence, ensuring they are well-prepared to deliver safe, inclusive, and high-quality early education and childcare.
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Vicky Taylor
I provide advice, guidance, and practical support to schools and childcare providers looking to develop or expand school-aged childcare and wraparound provision. This includes support with planning, sustainability, funding opportunities, partnership working, and meeting the needs of local children and families. My aim is to help providers create high-quality, accessible wraparound care that supports children's wellbeing, learning, and development.
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Hannah Rapley
I support early years providers to develop and embed inclusive practices that enable all children, including those with SEND, to participate fully in early education. Working alongside setting SENCOs and leaders, I provide strategic and systemic support to strengthen SEND provision across the whole setting, helping teams to develop their confidence, knowledge, and inclusive practice. Through advice, guidance, training, and signposting, I support settings to create environments and approaches that meet the needs of their SEND cohort and promote positive outcomes for all children.
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What will an Early Years Quality Audit look like?
These visits are offered free of charge to providers who are due either their first Ofsted inspection or a routine inspection during the next academic year. The Quality and Sufficiency Officer(s) will send you a date they are available to attend.
Depending on the size of your setting, one, two, or all three Quality and Sufficiency Officers (QSOs) may attend for the day. During the visit, they will complete an audit of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements to ensure that all welfare requirements are being met.
The QSO(s) will spend time observing practice, reviewing the learning environment, and speaking with practitioners (or childminder assistants). They will ask questions in a style similar to those used by Ofsted inspectors, helping staff to prepare for inspection.
In addition, your inclusion offer will be reviewed to ensure it effectively meets the needs of all children. They will consider how effectively you identify and support children with SEND, who are known to social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning.
At the end of the visit, the QSO(s) will provide detailed feedback and any recommendations to support further improvement. This could be an offer of training and/or follow up visits.
We're here to support you
We look forward to continuing to work alongside you and supporting high-quality early years provision across Portsmouth. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the team via EYdelivery@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Please contact EYinclusion@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for any support and guidance for individual children and interventions.
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