Children at Bonnypark Early Learning & Childcare Centre in Bonnybridge are benefiting from a pioneering approach to speech and language support that is helping staff, families and children work together to develop strong communication skills from the earliest years.

Rather than relying on traditional clinic-based appointments, NHS Forth Valley’s Speech and Language Therapy service is embedding therapists directly within nurseries and schools, bringing specialist support into children’s everyday environments. The innovative model is designed to improve access to expertise, strengthen early intervention and ensure support is available when and where it is needed most.

At Bonnypark Early Learning & Childcare Centre, the approach has transformed how speech, language and communication needs are identified and supported. Through close partnership working between the nursery leadership team, staff and their link Speech and Language Therapist, communication-friendly practices have become embedded throughout the centre.

Staff have received specialist training and coaching to help them recognise communication needs at an early stage and provide effective support. The nursery has also created an inclusive communication environment, achieving both the Silver Visual Environment Award and the prestigious Diamond Award for spoken language development.

A range of effective programmes, including Teaching Children to Listen and Nursery Narrative, have been introduced to support children’s communication skills. Phonetic techniques, where children initially focus on listening and speaking, are also used to help build a strong cognitive base for reading and spelling, helping students connect spoken sounds to written text later.

Families are an integral part of the approach, with parents receiving information, resources and opportunities to engage directly with speech and language support. The nursery’s focus on partnership working ensures that children and families can access advice and support at the right time.

Louisa McGuire, Coordinator for Children’s Speech and Language Therapy at NHS Forth Valley, said: “Our goal is to move support closer to where children are, working alongside the adults who know them best. By embedding Speech and Language Therapy within early learning settings such as Bonnypark, we can provide timely support, build staff confidence and help ensure children’s speech, language and communication needs are identified and supported as early as possible. The partnership at Bonnypark demonstrates how this collaborative approach can make a real difference for children, families and staff alike.”

The success of the partnership has strengthened early support, enhanced staff skills and helped create an environment where communication development is everyone’s responsibility. As NHS Forth Valley continues to expand this innovative model, Bonnypark stands as an excellent example of how collaborative working can improve outcomes for children and families across the region.