Even before Covid-19 impacted, around 10 per cent of children had long-term needs in speech, language and communication skills. This means that all staff – whether in group settings or in childminder provision – need to have increased knowledge, skills and confidence to support all children's development in this vital area.
Elklan Training delivers two programmes which it says not only provide key knowledge to practitioners but also ensure their learning results in changes to their practice and environment, so they are truly communication-friendly.
Communication Friendly Setting (CFS) programme
This provides in-depth training to two practitioners per setting (one if the total staffing is less than ten). These staff gain accreditation at Levels 3 and 4 through an Ofqual-approved and regulated awarding organisation and become a resource, Lead Communication Practitioners (LCPs), for their settings.
The LCPs are then equipped to deliver five one-hour sessions of training to all the setting staff, as well as to mentor the staff, in order to ensure that the environment and interactions across the whole setting support children's communication and learning. The setting then receives a CFS award (renewable after three years).
Communication Friendly Home-Based Setting (CFHBS)
This has been specifically developed for childminders and foster carers.
Childminders complete one of a choice of core Elklan courses in supporting children's speech, language and communication, gaining external accreditation at either Level 1 or 3. They reflect on the opportunities, resources and interactions provided in their home-based settings and an Elklan Tutor visits and advisesthe childminder. A checklist, with evidence, is completed, resulting in a CFHBS award.
The accredited CPD within both programmes comprises:
- Live small group webinars with an Elklan Tutor (also available face to face).
- Interactive self-study e-learning sessions, at the practitioner's own pace and at a time to suit them.
- Implementing planned activities with children.
- Developing mentoring skills in supporting staff with SLC.
- Completion of an online learning log to consolidate and demonstrate learning.
Both programmes are available through the DfE's Stronger Practice Hub (SPH) initiative at specified local authorities, allowing settings and childminders within these areas to access the programmes free of charge. The links (see Further information) provide details of eligibility, including the geographical requirements, for the SPH initiatives, as well as further information about the programmes more generally.
CASE STUDY: Sam Stapleton
My name is Sam Stapleton and I run a successful childminding business with two assistants in Lincolnshire. I recently completed the Elklan Communication training for three- to five-year-olds and grained accreditation for Creating a Communication Friendly Home Learning Environment (CCFHLE).
I undertook the training because we have a number of children in the setting, who are not quite where they should be with their speech. The training gave me the opportunity to learn and implement some new strategies as well as consider how the setting itself impacts on them developing their communication. Having worked in early years for more than 12 years I have come to recognise how crucial communication is for children across all areas of learning and development so am always looking for ways to develop communication.
The main focus of CCFHLE is for you to consider how your setting is laid out, what communication opportunities and distractions there are in the setting. It adopts a holistic approach considering all areas of development and their link to communication opportunities.
I found the course really easy to follow and use, and as well as making me think about how I use my setting to encourage communication, it also enabled me to celebrate all the good things that me and my team were already doing. In essence the course takes you through a range of different areas which you review, amend and evidence on their checklist.
One of the big changes I made was to introduce a dedicated quiet area. This resulted in creating a story tent, which offers comfy cushions, sparkly lights and an ever-changing set of books to sit and look at, should they wish to. Previously the children would have found a book for an adult to read. While they still do this, they can now regularly be found snuggled up looking at books together, building their love of reading and communicating together.
FURTHER INFORMATION
