Consult with the SENCo – the special educational needs coordinator for the early years setting
Plan language and communication development into everyday activities and the curriculum using the Stoke Speaks Out Staged Pathway.
Speak to parents/carers to raise awareness of the importance of communication and language, share ideas on how they can help their child to develop communication and language skills, strategies they could use and share the work you are doing so it can be mirrored at home.
Use the Early Years Graduated Response Toolkit
Make a referral to speech and language service Speech and language therapists will assess the child and develop and intervention plan with targets to work on. Liaise with the speech and language service about the interventions required and what you can do to support these. It is good practice to attend the childs speech and language appointment to find out about the intervention plan and how this should be implemented throughout their learning.
Entrust Early Years Area SENCo can provide advice and guidance to early years providers to support children with special educational needs and disabilities and signposting to other agencies.
Early Years Forum
The Early Years Forum - Staffordshire Early Years Forum can provide further advice, signposting and funding.
Some children need extra support to communicate by using signs, symbols, or communication aids. A speech and language therapist will be able to assess if this is necessary and support the child in accessing relevant support systems. This information will be shared with settings so it can be used throughout the childs learning.