PVI settings invited to take part in early language trial

The NELI pre-school programme is an oral enrichment programme which provides additional targeted support for three and four-year-olds with language needs, designed around the principles of shared book reading and guided play.

Researchers are now looking for state-maintained and PVI nurseries to take part in an effectiveness trial of the programme from Autumn 2024 to Summer 2025.

It comes after new analysis of the 20-week NELI Pre-school programme shows children who took part in the last trial made the equivalent of three months additional progress in their language development.

The trial next year, being carried out by OxEd and Assessment, will build on the findings of the last trial.

The EEF, in collaboration with the Department for Education’s Stronger Practice, are also exploring funding a larger trial.

Analysis of trial

Carried out by the University of Oxford’s Department of Education and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the research analysed the effectiveness of NELI Pre-school in 65 nurseries, including 1,500 children, in 2021-22.

The aim of the programme is to develop children’s vocabulary and narrative skills, encourage active listening and build confidence in speaking. NELI Pre-school also includes LanguageScreen, a digital assessment to identify children who will benefit most from intervention, as well as to monitor the language development of all children. Staff delivering the programme receive CPD-certified training.

Professor Charles Hulme, Professor Emeritus at the University of Oxford’s Department of Education and Founder and CEO of OxEd and Assessment, said, ‘The success of the NELI Pre-school programme highlights the importance of early intervention, and so we are thrilled that we can support even younger children to develop their oral language skills.

'The combination of whole group language enrichment and additional targeted support for those with weak language skills is designed to narrow the gap between children entering school with poor oral language and their peers, while also ensuring that all children benefit from the programme.'

Dr Gillian West, lecturer in language development and disorders at UCL, co-author of the NELI Preschool programme and Director at OxEd and Assessment, added 'NELI Pre-school has been designed from the outset to be scaleable so training is asynchronous and online. Confident practitioners are the key to success with NELI Preschool, so training and support is comprehensive and highly flexible for trainees to access, as well as involving them in a vibrant, ever-growing NELI Preschool community of practice.’

Rosebuds Day Nursery in Liverpool, which took part in the trial, said that NELI Pre-school had been ‘transformational’ and become ‘part of life’.

Manager Rachel Thomas explained, ‘As well as hearing more vocabulary spoken by children, I’ve noticed a big difference in their attention and engagement. The staff and the children are all thriving from the programme.’

• To register your interest in the NELI Pre-school trial next year click here