Early Language Development Programme (ELDP)
I CAN is leading a partnership to deliver the new Early Language Development Programme, which is funded by Department for Education. The Early Language Development Programme (ELDP) aims to boost the language skills of all children aged 0-5, particularly those at risk of language delay. The three year programme will give parents and practitioners the skills and knowledge to support the development of speech, language and communication in the early years.
I CAN's partners in the ELDP are:
- Action for Children
- The Children's Society
- The Pre-School Learning Alliance
- Elklan CIC
- The Office for Public Sector Management
I CAN brings resources, training and expertise developed through our flagship Early Talk programmes which benefit children aged 0-5 and have been rolled out to 3,500 early years settings.
Project aims
ELDP's overall aim is to ensure more young children develop the language skills they need to be school ready and to improve their life chances. The programme will particularly target 0-2 year olds and their families in England's most disadvantaged areas.
Evidence shows that children's understanding and use of vocabulary at 2 is very strongly associated with their performance on entering primary school. More than 50% children start school without the communication skills they need to achieve in some areas of social deprivation within the UK.
How it will work
ELDP will help settings build capacity and skills in communication and language - one of the three prime areas proposed in the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum.
Through the ELDP, 450 'hubs' of early language expertise will be created in areas serving some of the most disadvantaged children and families. Lead practitioners from Children's Centres will be supported to cascade a comprehensive package of high quality training, resources and support to other local practitioners, working closely with local authorities, health visitors and speech and language therapists.
It will help build on the good practice that has been developed through the Government funded Every Child a Talker (ECAT) programme. The programme aims to reach up to 16,000 practitioners in almost 4,000 Children's Centres and early years settings, and over 960,000 families.