We are finally ready to start the sessions. It's one hour a week over 6 weeks, where we follow a suggested programme to help families improve the 'home learning environment'. It's a pilot in 10 Children's Centre across Staffordshire, so if we can prove it works, they will do it all over the country. We are using volunteers to help us.
Their research has shown that parents are the biggest influence of a child's education however good the school they later go to, so the idea is we empower parents as early as possible. The sessions will include things they can do at home such as using books, singing, pre-literacy and pre-maths activities plus visiting the library and introducing to the Children's Centre activities they could access.
If you need a referral form please email Kerry Heath kerry.heath@staffordshire.gov.uk or leave a comment on here. I appreciate we are on a tight deadline so I apologise for the speedy action required.
We're asking professionals to refer families with whom they work or know about (maybe you know siblings) to take part. Ideally they are not accessing other services but the loosest criteria is they should have access to fewer than 30 books (probably safe to say anyone you think would benefit!). The children should be between 2 and 5 years.
We start:
Willows Children's Centre on Friday 31st January 1.30-2.30pm
Chadsmead Children's Centre on Wednesday 29th January 1.30-2.30pm
Springhill Children's Centre Monday 27th January 1.30-2.30pm
If you need a referral form please email Kerry Heath kerry.heath@staffordshire.gov.uk or leave a comment on here. I appreciate we are on a tight deadline so I apologise for the speedy action required.
Next week I'll let you know about the South Staffs dates and times too.
As a speech and language therapist, I am only too aware of the decline in school readiness. I believe this could be a very small step towards improving the situation.
Thank you very much.
Sounds like a great project and really hope you get the families.
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