Early Words Together (3-4) by National Literacy Trust

Early Words Together by National Literacy Trust is a DfE-approved programme that aims to support the communication, language, and early literacy of young children aged 3-4 through evidence-based activities which lead to improvements in their home learning environments.

The programme is delivered to small groups of families over 6 weeks, led by practitioners and volunteers. It empowers parents to develop and enrich the home learning environment and support their child's early language and literacy.

Programme Aims and Objectives

• Support communication, language, and early literacy of children aged 3–4 through evidence-based activities

• Improve confidence and understanding of children’s language development

• Support sustained positive changes to the home learning environment (HLE) and improve HLE as parents feel empowered as their child’s first educator

• Foster partnerships between practitioners and families, and across local systems

• Close the language gap among children of different socio-economic classes

• Build practitioner networks using evidence-based strategies

• Raise community expectations for children’s communication, language, and literacy (CLL) development

Programme Content

• One-day practitioner training by the National Literacy Trust

• Toolkits with six detailed session plans

• Project management support including training, implementation, QA, and network facilitation

• Volunteer training for peer support

• Pre- and post-surveys for evaluation (provided by the Trust)

Programme Benefits

• Parental Engagement: Improved communication and mutual understanding between parents and practitioners

• Parental Awareness: Parents learn the importance of play and conversation

• Home Learning: Parents gain ideas and confidence to support learning at home

• Child Development: Improved school readiness and classroom outcomes

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Expression of Interest

This training is FREE and suitable for all Birmingham Early Years Providers, EEE Funding Registered Day Nurseries, Nursery Schools and School Nursery Classes, Childminders, Family Hubs and Children’s Centre settings.

Please complete the expression of interest form below to apply for a place on the Early Words Together programme by the National Literacy Trust.

Please note that spaces are limited, with capacity for only 30 settings to participate in Birmingham.

The programme is funded by the DfE's Family Hubs initiative and all resources for families will be provided at no extra cost.

To take part, your setting must have adequate space for families and children to work together. The programme is expected to begin in the Autumn term (2) 2025 and continue through to the Spring term 2026. 

Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.