EXPLOROSITY EDUCATION
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROGRAM
PYRAMID PROVISION
Pyramid Provision for Speech & Language
At Explorosity, we use a pyramid provision to support children's speech, language, communication, and interaction. This approach recognises that communication develops in layers, with strong foundations supporting confident speech and language as children grow.
The pyramid begins with early interaction skills such as eye contact, turn-taking, attention, listening, and play. These foundations are essential for later skills, including understanding language, expressing ideas, and developing clear speech sounds. By supporting children at the right level of the pyramid, we ensure they are secure in the skills they need to thrive.
How It Works in Our Setting
Our pyramid provision is fully embedded into our daily practice. All children benefit from a language-rich environment, while some children receive targeted support at specific levels of the pyramid, based on their individual next steps.
Tia, who leads our speech and language support, works with children in small, carefully planned groups during the week. These sessions are short, purposeful, and responsive to each child's development. Activities are designed to strengthen specific skills such as attention and listening, play, understanding language, or expressive communication.
Children are identified through ongoing observation, and support is adapted as progress is made. This approach allows us to be proactive and supportive, often strengthening skills before any additional intervention is needed.
Families are kept informed about the focus of support and the progress children are making, and strategies are shared to support continuity between nursery and home.
Our pyramid provision ensures that every child is supported at the right level, at the right time, in a way that is positive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate.
How it started?
In the Autumn of 2021, we ran a communication and language study with our families attending at the time due to a decline in communication and language attainment nationally in early years. We found that parents felt less confident in supporting children with their language development: this was due to a number of factors including lack of perinatal and postnatal support, shutdown of baby clubs and groups during the pandemic and a lack of confidence in knowing what is expected when.
In response to this, we applied for the 'covid regression fund' which was accepted in early 2022. This has allowed the setting to develop our provision in communication and language support. This included the following:
- We have devised a weekly program to support children in smaller groups to access speech and language therapy led by one of our Kindergarten Teacher's.
- We have provided specific speech and language training for all of our practitioners.
- The Wellcomm resource pack was bought into the setting. Wellcomm is a tool used by our practitioners to assess children's level of speech and language development and provide appropriate support.
- We created a library of story book packs for families to borrow.
- We created the below document as a reference and technique pack for our families.
- We reviewed and tweeked our curriculum as necessary across the provision. This included 'Mr Tongue' being introduced as common practice from our Baby Lounge. We had a large mirror fitted in the Baby Lounge to support this and other activities. We looked closely at our routines to maximise opportunities for using our mouth muscles and developing our vocabulary.
- We have invited hartbeeps into our setting from the Summer Term to visit weekly, inviting families to join in these sessions.
- From Summer Term we plan to hold baby massage sessions for our youngest children and their families.
Our Family Support Document
We devised this document in January 2022 to support our families with what to look out for and how to support children with development of communication and language.