Let’s Talk Bristol & Bristol Early Language Programme (BEL)
Let’s Talk Bristol is a cross-sector collaborative approach to enhance prevention, early identification, and early intervention activities for speech, language and communication development and needs. It offers Early Education providers including PVIs, childminders and school’s nursery and reception staff across Bristol the opportunity to access fully funded evidence-based tools through the BEL programme.
To express interest in finding out how your setting, children and families can benefit from Let’s Talk Bristol or for any related queries, please email BEL Programme Lead, Becky Newman rebecca.newman@bristol-schools.uk or the lead for Communication, Language & Literacy, Anna Morgan anna.morgan@bristol.gov.uk
Wellcomm
Stories At Home Libraries
Supporting Multilingual Families Toolkit
Wellcomm
One of the main elements of the BEL programme is the Wellcomm Early Language screening tool. This is a fully funded toolkit of resources for assessing children’s language skills and providing early intervention activities, all suitable to use within an early years environment. It is aimed at children aged 3-5 years and following the screening settings will then be able to share the data with the Bristol Early Language project team – this is what we ask for in return for funding the toolkit, deadline dates during the year will be communicated.
Feedback from settings has been very positive. Many report having a clearer knowledge of language development and how to assess; an opportunity to reflect on the quality of their interactions; how to plan interventions and opportunities for developing language, particularly using the Big Book of Ideas.
BEL are now also funding digital licences for a year (up to Autumn 2025) to support children from birth to 11.
Stories At Home Libraries
Using the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), BEL has targeted 16 settings across Bristol to have their own ‘Stories at Home Library’. This provides opportunities for parents/carers to have high quality books and resources to share with their child at home. Co-produced with the Bristol Speech and Language Therapy team, specialist activity cards are linked to each book and have also been made available on their website for wider use. The SALT team have one of the Stories at Home Libraries for use with their group sessions, and there are 3 further libraries placed in each of the Family Hubs across Bristol.
A nursery school noted that:
‘They have been a good addition to the support we can give the children and their families around developing communication and language and their love of stories. Parent feedback has been great, they have enjoyed the different stories and props that go with them. The selection of stories is good, and it would be great to have even more.’
A primary school reflected that:
‘The home library has worked really well, and parents are now used to the ticking off and checking process and have said they enjoy a chance to sit and share a book with their child.’
A large children’s centre fed back that:
‘The stories at home have been a real success. The feedback from parents/carers has generally been positive about the books and games. The practitioner who is running the project loves it! She has even set up a lending library for other books, which the children borrow from and donate books to. She has encouraged families to take photos of them sharing books with their children and has made a display of these. We are going to look at making links with the local library and will hopefully be able take the children and families there.’
To further enhance the libraries, BEL will be purchasing a range of multilingual resources and books which will enable more families to engage in the resource.
Feedback from settings has been very positive. Many report having a clearer knowledge of language development and how to assess; an opportunity to reflect on the quality of their interactions; how to plan interventions and opportunities for developing language, particularly using the Big Book of Ideas.
BEL are now also funding digital licences for a year (up to Autumn 2025) to support children from birth to 11.
Supporting Multilingual Families Toolkit
More than 60 people attended the launch event for the Early Years Alliance (EYA) Multilingual toolkit in September. It was a successful event which provided an opportunity to share some initial good practice around supporting multilingual children as well as a chance to introduce and hear from our colleagues at the EYA.
Bristol Early Language has funded digital toolkit licences for every Bristol Setting, School and Childminder. You can access your toolkit by clicking this link:
Register for your Early Years Alliance multilingual toolkit for children and families
Please sign up to the Early Years Alliance FREE CPD opportunities to go with your toolkit:
Please Click on the Flyer to Access the Booking Links
Let's Talk Bristol Early Years Settings
Training and Toolkits
All levels & pathways:
WellComm Early Years Sampler – GL Assessment (gl-assessment.co.uk)
About WellComm – GL Assessment (gl-assessment.co.uk)
Gold level:
Communication Friendly Settings – Early Years | Elklan Training Ltd
Silver and Gold level, & Childminders L3 pathway:
Speech and Language Support for 3-5s | Elklan Training Ltd
Childminders (L1 pathway):
Let’s Talk with Under 5s | Elklan Training Ltd
Childminders (both pathways):
Communication Friendly Home-Based Settings | Elklan Training Ltd
Contacts
Becky Newman (BEL Programme Lead)
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