Gold Sure Start’s Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) Service aims to improve early identification of speech, language and communication needs and to provide timely support for children and their families.

Our SLT Team is made up of a Speech and Language Therapist and two SLT Assistants. They work closely with parents, carers, Early Years teams and education staff to build understanding, confidence and practical skills in supporting young children’s communication.

What We Do:

Our SLT Team supports those closest to the child to:

Understand what typical communication development looks like

Recognise early signs of speech, language or communication difficulties

Put simple, effective strategies in place at home or in early years settings

Support the child’s confidence and communication skills

Access further support when needed

We offer:

Parent information workshops

Parent?and?child communication groups

Individual home visits (where appropriate)

Training and support for Sure Start staff, Early Years teams and education settings

Groups and Classes Available

We provide a range of fun, interactive groups designed to help children develop communication, attention, language and social skills:

Wiggles and Giggles – movement based sessions supporting listening, understanding and following instructions.

Rhyme Time – nursery rhymes, rhythm and repetition to build early language foundations.

Chatterbox Challenge – confidence building language sessions through games and play.

PEEP - A friendly session using stories, songs and play to support early learning and parent–child bonding.

These groups are playful, relaxed and designed to help parents learn simple ways to support communication in everyday routines.

Bookstart

Led by our Speech and Language Therapy team, Bookstart sessions make stories and rhymes fun and interactive while encouraging a lifelong love of reading. Each family receives an age-appropriate Bookstart pack.

Bookstart is a national programme led by BookTrust and delivered locally by our Speech and Language Therapy team. These sessions are all about making reading fun and meaningful from the very start.

During the sessions, families can enjoy:

• Interactive storytelling and rhymes

• Tips on sharing books at home

• Activities to encourage early literacy and communication

Every family receives a Bookstart pack containing age-appropriate books and resources to keep the learning going at home. The aim is to nurture a love of books, strengthen parent–child bonds, and build the foundation for lifelong reading.

Babbling Babies

A 4-week programme for parents and babies under 1, exploring early brain development and sharing simple tips and strategies to nurture early communication.

Babbling Babies is a 4-week programme for babies under 1 and their parents. It offers practical support and insights into your baby’s early brain and language development.

Across the sessions, you’ll learn about:

• How your baby’s brain is developing in the first year

• Simple interaction strategies like eye contact, imitation, and turn-taking

• Ways to encourage early communication through play, songs, and routines

It’s also a relaxed space to meet other parents, share experiences, and build confidence in supporting your baby’s development.

Talking Toddlers

A 4-week programme for parents and toddlers, full of ideas and strategies to support interaction, language development, and playful learning at home.

Talking Toddlers is a 4-week programme for parents and their toddlers. Each session focuses on interaction and communication, giving you practical strategies to support your child’s language development at home.

The programme helps parents to:

• Encourage speech and language through play and conversation

• Support attention, listening, and social skills

• Build confidence in responding to your toddler’s communication needs

Talking Toddlers is playful, practical, and filled with ideas you can easily weave into everyday family life.

Concerned About Your Child’s Speech or Language?

If you live within the Gold Sure Start area and have concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication development, please speak to any member of our Gold Sure Start Team.

We are here to listen, guide and ensure your child receives the support they need as early as possible.