Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and strong early communication skills are a central part of that foundation. At the Coram PACEY conference in February, Carol Payne from Speech and Language UK shared new insights into why talking and understanding words matter so deeply and what childminders and early years practitioners can do every day to support children’s development.
By Zara Smith
Why early communication matters
Speech, language and communication skills underpin almost every aspect of a child’s development. They influence how children make friends, manage emotions and behaviour, engage in play, learn, and understand concepts in maths. Additionally having effective speech and language skills are linked to a child’s self-esteem and mental health.
The current reality is stark with around two million children in the UK facing challenges with speech and language, and one in ten children likely to have long term challenges. In some areas of disadvantage up to one in four children can have speech and language challenges. Early support is therefore crucial both for children with long-term needs and for those who, with timely help, can catch up and thrive.
These skills also connect to long-term outcomes. Children with early speech and language difficulties are more significantly likely to fall behind in English and Maths by the time they are 11 years old, and many young offenders, about 60%, have some kind of speech and language challenge. Strengthening communication in the early years is not just beneficial; it is life changing.
What’s changing in the current landscape
Recent government initiatives, including Best Start in Life, have emphasised the importance of early development and set ambitious goals for improving outcomes. Central these plans are:
Supporting families
Parents play a vital role in developing their children’s communication. Accessible information, practical guidance and confidence-building courses are all key to helping families create rich language environments at home.
Workforce development
About 30% of the participants of the recent government funded Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP)were childminders. New structures such the Stronger Practice Hubs will have Early Language Leads. These leads will use materials from established EYPDP programmes to support both settings and home-based educators to develop and improve their practice.
Stronger partnerships
There is an increasing emphasis on working together across health, education and family services. Childminders, with their close relationships with families and detailed understanding of children’s development, are essential partners in this joined-up approach.
Practical strategies to support talking and understanding
High-quality interactions between adults and children make a measurable difference. Outcomes for all children depend on maximising the impact of every child interaction. Ten universal strategies that practitioners can weave naturally into everyday practice:
- Follow the child’s lead – Tune into what interests the child and join them in it.
- Get down to their level – Being face-to-face helps children read expressions, understand language and feel connected.
- Adjust your language – Use shorter phrases, pause more often and ensure the child is listening before you begin.
- Wait to allow processing time – Waiting, even up to 10 seconds, gives children the chance to respond.
- Model language – Repeat words correctly without drawing attention to mistakes.
- Expand their speech – If they say one word, you say a short phrase; if they say a phrase, you model a sentence.
- Offer choices – Choice-making encourages communication, even for quieter children.
- Introduce new vocabulary – Use new words in different contexts to build understanding.
- Comment more than question – Comments reduce pressure and keep conversations flowing naturally. As a general guide there should be at least four comments for every question.
- Keep it fun – Playful interactions help children learn without feeling like they’re being taught.
Using everyday experiences to support language
Outdoor play, daily routines and spontaneous moments can all spark rich conversations. For example, a simple activity like pushing a wheelbarrow up a hill offers opportunities to comment on effort, problem-solving, textures, movement and cause-and-effect.
Rather than asking question after question, practitioners should narrate what they see: “You’re working hard to push that up the hill… oh, the logs were heavy, but the leaves are lighter!”
This supports language development while validating the child’s effort and thinking.
Identifying when children may need support
Speech and Language UK have developed a Speech and Language Development Checklist with clear expectations from birth to age five. Practitioners can use this as a quick reference to reflect on whether children are developing as expected.
If concerns arise, the online Progress Checker and the charity’s advice line offer further guidance. Parents can also be encouraged to use these tools, helping them feel informed and empowered.
New training created especially for childminders
Recognising that their previous training materials did not always suit home-based settings, Speech and Language UK and Coram PACEY have been co-developing Early Talk for Childminders.
This bespoke programme includes:
- Four units covering communication, opportunities for interactions, the physical environments and supporting children with identified speech and language needs
- Delivered through a combination of e-learning modules and webinars
- A learning log to help structure and reflect on progress
- A practical toolkit with posters, templates and activity cards
- Versions for England, Wales (English) and Wales (Welsh)
Childminders have been actively involved in shaping and testing the course, ensuring it reflects the realities of home-based practice.
There is also a broader pathway of training available, including the CEY Smart Coram PACEY resources and more depth programme, such as Communication Friendly Home-based Settings (CFHBS) from Elkan for those wanting to specialise further.
Final thoughts
Childminders and early years practitioners play a pivotal role in nurturing children’s speech, language and communication. The daily interactions you share, the relationships you build, and the thoughtful strategies you use all contribute to the strong foundations’ children need for learning, wellbeing and future opportunities.
Everything you do to support the youngest learners in your care work truly makes a difference.
