There are lots of opportunities for all early years practitioners to access training, support and resources in Reading.

For local information and to book, see our autumn 2023 CPD training programme.

Find out national information Early years education recovery programme: supporting the sector.

This is the current offer:

Speech, Language, and Communication Networks were introduced for Reading practitioners in 2021. SLC Champions attend from a wide range of under-five settings including daycare, pre-schools, nursery schools and classes, children’s centres and childminders. The aim is to strengthen practitioner skills, knowledge and confidence to understand and identify children’s speech, language and communication needs and provide support. If you work or volunteer with children under five in Reading you can express an interest in becoming a Champion by emailing early.years@brighterfuturesforchildren.org   

We have worked together with the Speech, Language and Communication Champions to develop tools to help local practitioners ensure a high-quality offer for children in the setting, at home and in the community (click the headings to open the tools):

The Reading Communication Friendly Reflection Tool – this can be used to reflect on the fundamentals of a communication friendly environment and to enhance your existing offer.  

The Reading Early Communication Action Tool  – this tool is intended for use when a child is not making the expected progress in the area of communication and language. When this happens a more detailed assessment can be useful to help understand any barriers and to plan additional support.  

Tips for Supporting Children learning English as an Additional Language 

We are sure that you will all agree that speaking more than one language has many advantages and should be celebrated, children will learn English from a strong foundation in their own language. This tip sheet provides advice for practitioners.  

Signpost families to Tiny Talker sessions provided by Reading Children’s Centres so they can learn effective ways to interact with their children and support their speech, language, and communication development. There is no requirement for children to be on a speech and language waiting list and the session is open to all children who may benefit from support.

Click the image to open the Language & Communication timetable.

If you have provided consistent support to a child and you are unsure how to help them to take their next steps you may like to speak to a speech and language therapist (SALT). This can be done by booking a 15 minute SALT surgery appointment where you will have the opportunity to talk about a child anonymously. Surgeries take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month between 1-3pm via TEAMS. Book here https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/EYSALTSurgery@reading.gov.uk/bookings/ 

Should a child’s progress not be as expected with the consistent use of strategies, you can ask their parent/carer to send an email to the Reading Speech and Language Therapy Team via: CYPIT.ADMINREADING@berkshire.nhs.uk. It is best if you complete the Additional Setting Information Form to accompany the email which the parent is sending. 

Early Years Inclusion Funding is for children aged two to four years when they attend a nursery, pre-school or childminding setting and require some additional or different provision to the settings graduated approach to help children learn.

Find out more here Reading Directory?|?Early Years Inclusion Funding 

BFfC EY and SEND Training and Network Programme Spring-Term-2023-CPD-Programme-1.pdf (brighterfuturesforchildren.org) 

BFfC Early Years SEND Strategies Under 5s with SEND – Brighter Futures For Children 

SENCo Toolkit Under 5s with SEND – Brighter Futures For Children 

CYPIT Online Communication and hearing | Children Young People and Families Online Resource (berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk) 

Local Community Links  

Reading Children’s Centres Children’s centres – Brighter Futures For Children 

Parent and Toddler Groups Reading Directory?|?Listings in Parent & Toddler groups 

Reading Libraries and Rhyme Time All libraries – Reading Borough Council 

Duty Health Visitor Reading Directory?|?Health Visitor ~ Reading 

Speech, Language and Communication Framework Home – SLCF – The Communication Trust (slcframework.org.uk) 

Speech and Language UK For professionals (speechandlanguage.org.uk) 

Supporting children learning English as an additional language supporting-children-learning-english-as-an-additional-language.pdf (speechandlanguage.org.uk) 

Hungry Little Minds Learning to talk | 3 to 5 years | Start for Life (www.nhs.uk) 

Love My Books Welcome to lovemybooks! | lovemybooks 

Nursery Rhymes and Songs Nursery Rhymes and Songs – BBC Teach 

Makaton Home (makaton.org)