Leicester EYDCP has published Working with children who use English as an additional language with the aim of improving social inclusion and the quality of early years provision.
The EYDCP has identified at least 32 non-English languages or dialects spoken by children in early years groups acros the city, and it is estimated that three-quarters of early years settings are attended by at least one child with English as an additional language. Early years staff speak a wide range of languages, but 16 per cent of settings that accommodate such children have no adult who can communicate fluently with them.
Leicester EYDCP lead officer Val McCarthy said, 'The good practice guide came out of our commitment to meet the needs of children with English as an additional language. Our ambition is to make sure that all children, regardless of where they live in the city, their ethnicity, family background and ability, have access to the same quality of early education and childcare.
'Leicester has a well-established multicultural community and increasing numbers of asylum seekers and refugees. One primary school alone has children speaking 26 different languages, so it is an important issue for us.
'There is already a lot of good practice in Leicester, but it is not always written down and we wanted to draw it all together. We would love to hear from anyone else with experience in working with children who have English as an additional language and swap ideas with them.'
Good practice advice includes reflecting different cultural backgrounds in the home corner with diverse cooking equipment and foods and newspapers in a variety of languages. The guidance recommends using repetitive songs and rhymes to extend children's language skills and singing in a variety of languages. It urges settings to welcome in adults who can support children's learning in their first language. Leicester's early years team can be contacted on 0116 225 4885.
* Registered childminders in Leicester are being encouraged to introduce reading to the children in their care with the issuing of special library tickets. Childminders will be eligible to borrow up to 12 books and six tapes, CDs or selected videos. They will face no overdue or hire charges and can take advantage of an extended loan period.
