Early years speech and learning - practitioners guidance

Contents

Who can help? - Early years speech and learning professionals

Stoke Speaks Out

A website for parents, carers and professionals. It offers advice, fun activities and training to help children learn to talk and communicate.

Visit Stoke Speaks Out

Health Visitors

Health visitors support families from pregnancy until your child starts school. They:

  • Check your child’s growth and development.
  • Give advice on talking, playing and staying healthy.
  • Help parents give their child the best start in life, including speech and language support.

Libraries

Staffordshire libraries are free and open to everyone. They offer:

  • Books and story times.
  • Fun activities for babies and young children.

Libraries are great for helping children learn new words and enjoy reading early.
Find your local library

Family Hubs

Family Hubs give families help and advice in one place. They offer support with:

  • Parenting
  • Health
  • Money
  • And more

Family Hubs are for all families with children from birth to 19 (or 25 with SEND).
Visit Family Hubs

SEND Local Offers

  • Staffordshire SEND Local Offer – Information about education, health and care support for children and young people with SEND.
    Visit Staffordshire SEND Local Offer
  • Stoke-on-Trent SEND Local Offer – Support and services for children and young people with SEND in Stoke-on-Trent.
    Visit Stoke-on-Trent SEND Local Offer

Early Years Settings

If your child attends an early years setting or childminder, they will:

  • Check your child’s communication development (as part of the EYFS framework).
  • Talk to you about progress and plan activities to support development.

If your child is not meeting typical milestones:

  • Practitioners will observe and record areas of difficulty.
  • They will ask about medical history, hearing tests and family history.
  • They will work with the SENCo to create a targeted plan and review progress.

More information:

Early Years Forum

A multi-agency meeting that checks the right services are involved for children with SEND.
Early years settings can apply to the SEND Inclusion Fund to support children’s learning and development.

Providers in Stoke-on-Trent:
Email EYIS@stoke.gov.uk for advice or to apply for the fund.

More information: