An early years language development project The Glen and Mayfield, Cork In Ireland, nearly one in three children in Irish schools in disadvantaged communities has severe literacy difficulties . - Eivers et al, 2005. Parents are the primary educators of the child and have a pre-eminent role in promoting her/his well-being, learning and development. - Síolta ,2006 Supported by: Tom Cavanagh TomarTrust

Speech & language therapy & support Happy Talk Model Training Coaching Speech & language therapy & support children’s language improves Parent child ECCE staff parent & child Home Creche Preschool Junior Infants & Beyond Assessments & Referral Assessments & Referral Nibbles & Twitch Language Rich Environment Parents Plus & coaching Bus posters Book Area audit/support Transition Flower Storybooks Rhyme & rap PEEP Whole setting audit/support Storypoint Newsletter

Challenges Strategies understanding relationships flexibility staff ‘coachability’ managers/ECCE incentives childcare Borrow-a-book branding creche strategy involving parents inter-agency working top-down support supports made concrete quality in early years settings mentoring behaviour issues / parenting skills Parents Together parent coaching PEEP legacy manual

Measurable gains in children’s language development Some highlights Engagement: 450 children engaged each year 100 staff engaged each year 789 parents engaged 127 babies & parents @ clinics Referrals: 42 children referred to HSE SLT 28 Early Intervention Intake Forum & and Assessment of Need Officer 29 children have been referred to SENO 89% of children referred from Happy Talk attended for HSE SLT appointment. Awareness: high levels of awareness of Happy Talk – building a language rich environment Measurable gains in children’s language development 13 pre-schools 6 creches 5 Primary schools 3 PHN clinics

Results % children with speech and/or language delay reduced

Thank you! Recommendations Deliver speech and language interventions in community settings Support parents’ role through training & coaching Support quality development in early years settings Provide pre-service and in-service on speech and language development Develop a collaborative interagency approach to service delivery: statutory & community