What is the role of the Early Years and SEND Team?
The Early Years and Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) teams work in parallel to focus support and advice to Early Years Providers to ensure high quality, inclusive provision that reduces inequalities and improves outcomes for children under five in Reading.
Portage advisors also provide support to children under five with SEND and their families, within groups and at home, with a focus on individual achievement.
Who we are
You can click the image below to open a PDF version.
Early Years, Childcare and SEND team contacts
You can also download a PDF of the below contacts for offline access, here: Early Years, Childcare and SEND team contacts
| Name | Title | Email address | Mobile | Telephone Number |
| Becky Gibson | Early Years Education and Childcare Team Manager | Rebecca.Gibson@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 07422078353 | 0118 9373003 |
| Deborah Wood | Early Years and Childcare advisory Manager | Deborah.Wood@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 07970406586 | 0118 9376896 |
| Katrina Shakespeare | Early Years Data, Sufficiency & Performance Manager | Katrina.Shakespeare@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 0118 9372560 | |
| Lorna McGifford | Early Years & Childcare Project Officer | Lorna.McGifford@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 07813621948 | 0118 9376885 |
| Jayne Clark | Early Years Development Officer | Jayne.Clark@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 07973689441 | 0118 9373168 |
| Lisa Paine | Early Years Advisor | Lisa.Paine@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 07977290853 | 0118 9376005 |
| Brett Wilcock | Wraparound Childcare Co-ordinator | Brett.Wilcock@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 0118 9372418 | |
| Nicola Don | Wraparound Holiday Childcare Advisor | Nicola.Don@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 07542667121 | 0118 9372252 |
| Vicki Allen | Early Years & Childcare Operations & Support Officer | Vicki.Allen@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 0118 9374730 | |
| Sophie Hames | Early Years & Childcare Business Support Administrator | Sophie.Hames@brighterfuturesforchildren.org | 0118 9373662 |
Portage team
| Name | Extension (internal) | Mobile | |
| Jessica Kenward – Senior Portage Worker | 72089 | 07773 197 126 | Jessica.Kenward@brighterfuturesforchildren.org |
| Tanya Lacey Froude – Portage Worker | 76883 | 07515 629 094 | Tanya.Lacey-Froude@brighterfuturesforchildren.org |
| Tracy Clarke – Portage Worker | 76032 | 07843 642 518 | Tracy.Clarke@brighterfuturesforchildren.org |
| Michelle Clark – Portage Worker | 76729 | 07515 629 092 | Michelle.Clark@brighterfuturesforchildren.org |
| Isobel (Izzy) Wood – Portage Worker | 72621 | 07773 197 400 | Isobel.Wood@brighterfuturesforchildren.org |
| Onyedikachi Abiodun-Ekus – Portage Worker | 74231 | 07976 892 678 | Onyedikachi.Abiodun-Ekus@brighterfuturesforchildren.org |
What we offer
Early Years is a statutory service under Childcare Act 2016 and our responsibilities include:
Securing sufficient childcare, which is high quality, flexible, inclusive and accessible to all children, with a focus on those families who are disadvantaged.
Providing information to parents and prospective parents which is up to date, easily accessible, online and which details available childcare, early education and funded spaces in the local area.
Ensuring the availability of information, advice and training for childcare providers which promotes high-quality provision with regard to the following matters:
- Meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage
- Meeting the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities, vulnerable and disadvantaged children
- Effective safeguarding and child protection
Sufficiency
Early Years service has a duty to secure enough childcare for working parents, for funded 2 year olds, and all 3–4 year olds. They are required to report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duties and to make this report available and accessible.
Sufficiency reports can be found here.
The development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development. It is important that all children can access high quality interactions throughout the day in a language rich environment.
Click the button below to head over to our speech, language and communication hub.
For information to support Early Years providers and practitioners in Reading, visit our dedicated transitions page here.
The Early Years service fulfils the duty under the Childcare Act 2016 to provide information, advice and training to childcare providers. Local authorities must ensure they meet their duties under the Equality Act 2010 and take account of the special educational needs and disability (SEND) Code of Practice 0-25 when securing free places, promoting equality and inclusion.
To request a bespoke training session for your setting, please complete our bespoke training request form.
Click here for the Early Years training programme 2024-2025
Click here for the Early Years training programme autumn term 2024
Click here for the EY and Childcare CPD planner 2024
Click here for the Early Years Designated Safeguarding Lead’s handbook
Contact us
You can also visit the Reading Education Services website or if you want to get in touch, email us at:
Early Years Newsletter
We produce a termly newsletter to keep you up to date with the latest information, resources, top tips and advice. The latest edition is on the right, but you can view previous issues below. Click on an image to open.
