Early Years
Speech & Language
Support Practitioner
The Early Years Speech & Language Support Practitioner Apprenticeship develops early years practitioners and setting support staff into confident speech and language champions, equipping them to identify speech, language and communication needs, remove barriers and help children access early learning, play and development.
Built on the Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship standard and delivered with input from qualified speech and language therapists from Speech & Language Link, it combines practical early years strategies with a deep understanding of how speech, language and communication underpin progress, participation and inclusion in early years settings.
Apply by October 25 to secure your place on the autumn intake
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At a glance
Includes expert delivery from Speech & Language Link
Awards:
Speech & Language Link Certification
Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5
Course duration
Up to 21 Months
Online learning
and training events
Monthly coaching sessions
Free for learners - funded via Growth and Skills Levy
Price for this programme: £9,000 £0
This course is fully funded through the Growth and Skills Levy Fund
Who is the Early Years Speech & Language Support Practitioner Apprenticeship for?
This programme is designed for early years practitioners, room leaders and setting support staff who want to develop specialist expertise in speech, language and communication, and play a more impactful role in supporting children’s learning, development, participation and outcomes.
It is particularly suited to those working with children with speech, language and communication needs, or children who struggle to understand, express themselves, interact with others or engage in early learning and play. The programme helps participants become speech and language champions in their setting, with practical, evidence informed strategies they can apply immediately within their day to day practice.
Developed specifically for early years settings, this programme strengthens in-house expertise in one of the most important areas of early childhood development. By developing staff who can spot speech, language and communication needs early, adapt early years practice and work effectively with colleagues, families and external professionals, settings can improve access to the EYFS curriculum, support inclusion and drive better outcomes for children across the setting.
This apprenticeship is designed for:
- Early years practitioners who are looking to lead, or already have leadership responsibilities, and want to better support children with speech, language and communication needs while having a greater impact on learning, development and communication across their setting.
- Room leaders and senior practitioners looking to deepen their expertise and develop more effective, evidence informed strategies to support children with additional needs
- Early years educators and nursery practitioners who want to build specialist knowledge and confidence in identifying and responding to communication barriers
- Early years lead practitioners who want to strengthen their practice and become speech and language champions within their setting
Applicants must have:
- GCSE’s in English and Maths at Grade C (4) or above or able to achieve Level 2 English and Maths whilst on programme (mandatory for ages 16-18)
- Level 3 Early Years Educator or Equivalent Qualifications / Extensive Experience
- Must have held a residency in the UK for the last three years
- Candidates must be working and interacting on a daily basis with children in the birth to 5 age range in accordance with the EYFS, the setting must be delivering the EYFS learning and development requirements
Delivered in partnership with Speech & Language Link
This programme is delivered in partnership with Speech & Language Link, combining specialist expertise in speech and language with Best Practice Network’s experience in designing and delivering high quality training and apprenticeships.
Speech & Language Link are recognised experts in supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs, bringing evidence informed approaches and practical strategies that are used in early years settings and schools every day. Their involvement ensures learners benefit from direct input from qualified speech and language therapists, grounded in real early years practice.
Best Practice Network brings a strong track record in delivering national professional development programmes, working closely with the Department for Education on initiatives including early years apprenticeships, NPQs and apprenticeships. This ensures the programme is structured, rigorous and aligned with the needs of early years settings, while supporting learners to successfully achieve a recognised Level 5 qualification.
Together, this partnership gives learners the best of both: specialist clinical expertise alongside proven training delivery, resulting in a programme that is both academically robust and highly practical for early years settings.
Why do early years need qualified Speech and Language Support Practitioners?
Speech, language and communication needs can have a significant impact on children’s early development, confidence, relationships and readiness for learning. That means early years settings need staff with the right knowledge and practical expertise to spot needs early, put effective support in place and help children communicate, interact and participate with confidence.
Without trained staff, speech, language and communication needs can be missed or misunderstood, creating barriers to early learning, play, social development, emotional wellbeing and participation in setting life.
The Department for Education has already recognised the importance of this area through national investment in early identification and intervention. At the same time, Ofsted expects early years providers to identify and address barriers to learning as part of inclusive practice. For settings, that creates a clear need for specialist expertise in this area.
Our Early Years Speech and Language Support Practitioner Apprenticeship helps early years settings build that expertise from within. It develops confident, qualified practitioners who can become speech and language champions in their setting, support children with speech, language and communication needs day to day, apply practical strategies in early years practice and strengthen inclusive support across the setting.
Rather than relying only on external input, settings can use the apprenticeship to grow in house capability, giving children earlier support, helping staff respond more effectively and building long term capacity where it is needed most.
What will you learn?
You will develop specialist knowledge of speech, language and communication and learn how to apply it with confidence within early years practice, helping children access learning, engage in play, participate more fully and make stronger developmental progress.
Alongside this, you will build the wider skills of an Early Years Lead Practitioner, so you can support individual needs, work effectively with others and contribute to inclusive practice across your setting. By the end of the programme, participants will be equipped to act as speech and language champions, supporting children directly and helping strengthen communication focused practice across the setting.
Module 1 – What is SLCN (Speech, Language, and Communication Needs)?
- What we mean when we talk about SLCN – (broken down into the 3 main areas).
- Key terminology that is related to SLCN (e.g. articulation, expressive/receptive language, fluency).
- A brief overview of common diagnoses that may be seen in early years/nursery settings (e.g. speech sound disorder, selective mutism, DLD).
- Prevalence of SLCN in children, and the impact that these difficulties can have on long term life chances/outcomes.
- Examples of how SLCN difficulties can impact almost every aspect of a child’s development and learning in the early years.
Module 2 – Development of speech and language skills (typical development)
- Typical development of speech and language skills.
- The skills involved in processing language, and what happens when this breaks down.
- Typical development of attention and listening skills, and why the development of these skills is important in children's speech and language development.
- Top tips on how to support the development of attention and listening skills in the early years setting.
Module 3 – Creating a Communication Supportive Environment in the Early Years setting
- What is a communication supportive environment, and why this is important, and how does it help promote inclusion.
- Why using a ‘whole setting approach’ supports unidentified needs and supports all children within the setting.
- How to make these changes in a practical way, by using visuals, creating space that encourages interaction and using audit tools to help identify ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ areas for communication in your setting.
- Looking at core strategies to support all children in their language development.
- How to support children in the setting with their speech sound development, by using activities such as rhyming, syllable clapping and listening to sounds.
Module 4 - Identifying SLCN and Taking Action
- Exploring possible ‘red flags’ or ‘common indicators’ that might indicate difficulties in a child’s language development.
- Exploring possible ‘red flags’ or ‘common indicators’ that might indicate difficulties in a child’s speech sound development.
- Thinking about the ‘wider picture’ by understanding the link between communication difficulties and behaviour.
- Understanding the difference between SLCN and EAL and how best to support EAL children and their families acquire speech and language skills.
- What to do if you have concerns about a child’s possible SLCN. How to monitor progress, work with families and knowing when to seek further support/referral to specialist services.
How is the Early Years Speech & Language Support Practitioner apprenticeship delivered?
The apprenticeship is designed to fit around learners’ existing roles, allowing them to develop specialist skills and knowledge while applying their learning directly in their day to day work.
- Facilitated online sessions
Regular virtual classroom sessions support learners to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the role, with opportunities to reflect on learning and its impact in practice. - Monthly coaching with an experienced practitioner
Learners receive ongoing support from an experienced practitioner, helping them apply their learning in the workplace, review progress and develop confidence in their specialist role. - Online learning and portfolio development
Learners access structured online resources and complete activities throughout the programme, building a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates their impact in supporting pupils.
Assessment
Gateway
Gateway is the final stage of the apprenticeship before assessment, where the employer and training provider confirm that the learner has developed the required knowledge, skills and behaviours and is ready to move forward to End Point Assessment.
End Point Assessment (EPA)
EPA is the final assessment of the apprenticeship and includes:
- Observation with questions, where the learner is assessed in their real working environment
- Professional discussion, supported by a portfolio of evidence built throughout the programme
The outcome of the EPA determines the final grade of pass, merit or distinction.
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