Using the WELLCOMM toolkit within the childcare setting 15 th January 2016 Sue Davies: Senior Early Years Practitioner Lynette Davies: Early Years Advisor

Importance of Early Intervention Learning to talk and communicate is vital for children’s all round development. The children start their placement with us the term after their second birthday which is when the ‘language explosion’ usually happens. Childcare staff generally see the children five times a week and therefore are in a unique position to support children to develop their speech and language skills and also identify areas of delay. Often simple repetitive language activities delivered through the medium of play will enable the children to improve their communication skills but the Wellcomm screening tool will signpost practitioners to the appropriate activities and liaise with SALT, thus enabling the children to receive the support they need early on.

Training DVD

Score sheets

Practical resources needed

Who should carry out the screening and how often? The key worker? A designated childcare worker? Childcare leader? What do you think?

Starting the process When should it start? After the first four weeks of starting placement to ensure new children are settled. How often? Termly has been the recommended time frame by WELLCOMM

Who is involved? Parents Childcare leader Childcare workers Early Years Advisor Speech and Language therapist Health Visitors

Key messages It is important that whilst talking to the children: practitioners ensure their own words are clear maintain eye contact give time for the children to process the information and respond. This will help children make sense of the spoken word. Activities such as: singing nursery rhymes simple stories which include repetition These will all help develop the attention and listening skills needed to promote speech and language development. Have fun with the children. We all learn best when we are relaxed and happy!

Ways forward Work together with parents to provide activities that will support and develop children’s speech and language skills. Ensure tasks are achievable and fun for the children. Link activities to children’s interests in order to develop the concentration skills that are needed to enable children to become confident communicators.

Monitoring the children’s scores

Further Support Liaise with FS speech and language therapist Referral for one to one support in the home via FS EYPs Referral for observation through FS Early Years Advisor Referral for one to one support through the Assisted Places Scheme

Thank you for listening Diolch am wrando