Early talk awards help Highland nurseries improve children’s communications skills

Children from 11 nurseries will celebrate in Alness this week (Wednesday 1 September) as they mark their success in gaining accreditation in the I CAN’s Early Talk programme. 

I CAN, the national children’s communication charity, has worked in partnership with The Highland Council and NHS Highland to run a training and accreditation scheme for nurseries aimed at improving children’s speech and language skills. 

Through the implementation of I CAN Early Talk partnership programme, 16 early years centres have received training and been awarded accreditation to support children’s speech, language and communication development and collaborative practice. These centres join the existing 13 centres who achieved this award in 2009.

At Ankerville Nursery in Alness, Early Talk Supportive awards will be presented to representatives of nurseries from Resolis; Millbank Nairn; Culbokie; Macdiarmid, Skye, Auchtertyre, Avoch, Obsdale, and Merkinch Family Centre.

Three early years centres have developed their practice beyond the ‘supportive’ level to be awarded Enhanced Centre status. Centres receiving enhanced status awards will be Ankerville Tain; Ankerville Alness; and Ankerville Baby Unit.

Congratulating the nurseries on their I CAN awards, Hugh Fraser, Highland Council’s, Director of Education, Culture and Sport said:  “These awards reflect the necessary staff skills required to support children with speech and communication difficulties. I am pleased to see the Early Talk scheme being implemented throughout the Highlands which is developing good communication skills in pre-school children.”

I CAN estimates that between 40-50% of children nationally are entering primary schools without the speech and language skills that they need to learn, make friends and achieve. Around 5 – 7% have speech, language and communication needs in the absence of any other difficulty.  These children do not have a general learning difficulty, or any physical or sensory impairment.  The nature and complexity of their difficulties can often be invisible.

Through the implementation of I CAN Early Talk partnership programme, early years centres have received training and been awarded accreditation to `support children’s speech, language and communication development and collaborative practice.’
The scheme which initially was introduced in Ross-shire is now being implemented across Highland

This award ceremony in Alness and another due to be held in Caithness on 8 September will celebrate the first centres to achieve this status in Caithness, Sutherland and Skye.