The EYE and HELP Team

The Early Years Entitlement Team supports the effective delivery of the Early Years Entitlements for disadvantaged 2 year olds and all 3 & 4 year olds. The aim of the EYE Team is to ensure all providers in Lincolnshire have up to date information about the delivery of the current entitlements and provide advice and support to all settings to deliver the different offers effectively.

The team works closely with all other Consultants in the service to ensure providers receive the support they need.

The role of the Early Years Entitlement Team:

To support providers with the delivery of the Early Years Entitlements
To support the delivery of the flexible offer to 15 hours and continued expansion to a stretched offer that reflects parental need
To provider advice on access to the entitlements
To provide robust financial management and monitoring
To support the delivery of two year old places and manage the extension of funded places to the most vulnerable 2 year olds by 2013
To make providers aware of any changes to the entitlement, including the introduction of the Early Years Single Funding Formula
To facilitate payments to providers and resolve any issues regarding funding

For more information about the Early Years Entitlements, please click here.

A new project has started within East Lindsey in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council. The new Home Early Learning Project (HELP) team will be providing professional support, advice and guidance, primarily in the home environment, to enable parents to better engage in their child’s learning and development.

For more information about the Home Early Learning Project, please click here.

Geraldine O'Neill
Lead Early Years Consultant (EYE)

Geraldine has more than 7 years experience working in Children’s Services, beginning her career as a Childcare Development Officer before joining the Birth to Five Service in October 2008. Qualifications include a BA Degree with Honours, Btec National Diploma in Performing Arts, Level 2 Certificate in Playwork, High Scope Implementation Certificate, and 7303 in Adult Teaching. Geraldine has experience working with a variety of early years providers across Lincolnshire to support welfare, quality and financial management. She currently manages the EYE Team which supports the Early Years Entitlements for 3 & 4 year olds and the Entitlement for Disadvantaged 2 year olds. Alongside the EYE Team, Geraldine is responsible for the project management of the new Home Early Learning Project (HELP).

Jessica Sinclair
Project Support Assistant

Jessica is the Support Assistant for the Birth to Five Service. Jessica has four years experience in clerical positions and has been awarded a Diploma in Administration, a NVQ Level 3 in Business and Administration as well as a Certificate in Leadership.
Jessica’s main responsibility is for the administration support of the Entitlement for Disadvantaged Two Year Olds.

Angela Waterman
Administrator - Early Years Entitlement

Angela worked for Extended Provision prior to her role as administrator for the Early Years Entitlement being moved to the Birth to Five Service. She joined the service in August 2009 and has worked for Lincolnshire County Council for the past fourteen years. For more than half of that time she has been engaged in work relating to the Early Years Entitlement. Angela has a BA (Hons) degree in History from the Open University. Her role entails facilitating payments to Early Years providers and ensuring compliance with the scheme.

Coralie Armstrong
Early Learning Support Co-ordinator

Coralie has worked professionally for Children’s Services since 2006.
She was first employed as a Development Officer for a new phase 1 Children’s Centre in Wainfleet and then went onto managing this and the centre in Skegness.
In 2008 Coralie became a Principal Practitioner for the Integrated Team in East Lindsey. In 2008 one of the Children Centres she managed became the first Ofsted “Outstanding” graded in the East Midlands.
Coralie has a Certificate in Education completed through Huddersfield University and has studied Leadership and Management Level 6.
Coralie is passionate about safeguarding and improving the lives of children with a particular interest in their development and education.

Anna Bielak
Early Learning Support Worker

Anna holds an NVQ level 3 qualification in Children’s Learning and Development and she is currently studying to achieve a Foundation Degree in the Early Years through the Open University.
Anna has 7 years experience of working in childcare settings and has spent the last three and a half years working as childcare practitioner in a nursery setting.
Anna joined the Birth to Five Services in August 2011 and acts as an Early Learning Support Worker.

Lorna Holgate
Early Learning Support Worker

Lorna has over 13 years experience working in Early Years. She began her career as a childcare practitioner in an Early Years setting, and until recently has been working as a Nursery Manager.
Lorna has a BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies, and has completed certificates in Safeguarding and SENCO Training.
Lorna joined The Birth to Five Service in August 2011 as an Early Learning Support Worker for the HELP Team.

Emma Richardson
Early Learning Support Worker

Emma has worked professionally in Children’s Services since 2004 within roles that have enabled her to develop a wide range of skills and experiences; these roles included: Residential Support Worker with Children and Adults with Learning Difficulties and challenging behaviour, Nanny, Nursery Nurse and Youth Worker. As well as working within Children’s services Emma has worked as a Social Worker with adults with Physical Disabilities and their families.
Emma’s Qualifications include; a BSC (Hon’s) in Social Work, NVQ Level Three in Caring for Children and Young People, Managing Challenging behaviour and Mental Health First Aid.
Emma is interested in creative learning and using her Music and Drama A-level’s to develop fun and educational methods of learning and development within the home.

Hannah Lumbard
Early Learning Support Worker

Hannah joined the Birth to Five Service in September 2011 as an Early Learning Support Worker. Hannah has more than 3 years experience working with children in several different roles, including within a nursery and the home environment.
Hannah has a NVQ level three in Childcare, Learning and Development and Paediatric First Aid. Hannah also has a pre-hospital care certificate working for L.I.V.E.S as a First Responder and Group Co-ordinator.
Hannah previously worked as nanny, caring for two small children within their home. This enabled her to work with the children individually and to develop a close relationship with the family. Hannah has a particular interest in outdoor and creative play.

Hayley Gawne
Early Learning Support Worker

Hayley has a BTEC National Diploma in Early Years.
Hayley has 11 years of experience working with children in a variety of settings. Mainly within the SEN sector which has enabled her to develop a wide and varied range of certificates, skills and experiences. Her last four years of work was as a 1-1 in a school setting. This role resulted in Hayley working for several months within the home, working very closely with the family in a sensitive situation.
Hayley continues to be involved with special needs at a weekly dance club and continues private care for several families within the home setting.
Hayley joined The Birth to Five Services in September 2011 and acts as an Early Learning Support Worker.

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