Thriving and getting advice for children aged 3 to 5 years

There are lots of ways to get advice during your child's life from ages 3 to 5, for example:

• the BBC’s Tiny Happy People and the NHS’s Learning to Talk can help you develop your child’s language and communication skills with lots of ideas for things you can do at home and when out and about
• the Speech and Language UK website has a progress checker you can use to help give you an idea of how your baby or child's speech language and communication skills are developing and can signpost you to support or advice as needed
• depending on your preference and situation, your child may attend a childcare provider. Government funding may be available to support your child to attend nursery, preschool or childminder. Government funding is available for the vast majority of families to support your child to attend nursery, preschool or childminder
• if your child attends a childcare provider or school that is involved in Early Talk for York their speech, language and communication will be screened using WellComm screening. Childcare providers and schools at Steps 2 and 3 will also have specialist trained staff who can provide support, advice and guidance for your child and you. Ask your childcare provider or school for details
• your childcare provider will support your child to transition into reception class at school by sharing information with their school about their communication skills, including any specific assessments such as WellComm results
• your child’s speech, language and communication skills will be assessed when they start reception and when they finish reception (.pdf). Schools will report these end of reception assessments to parents and carers and many will share assessment information during reception year
• hearing and vision will be screened in reception by the Healthy Child Service School Screeners and an onward referral made if required. Speak to your GP or Health Visitor if you have concerns about your child’s hearing
• your child is eligible for a free NHS eye test at participating opticians
• reading with your child is one of the best ways you can support with their speech, language and communication development. Children who are read to 5 times daily (it’s OK if the books are repeated) will hear nearly 1.5 million words by the time they turn 5! York Explore have 15 sites with hundreds of books for children you can borrow for free
• there are Story Time sessions running at libraries across the city – contact your local library for details
• activities and events for babies, young children and their families happen in community venues across the city and in Raise York Family Hubs

If you're not sure where to find information or answers to your questions contact York Family Information Service on telephone: 01904 554444; text telephone: 07786202241 or email: [email protected] and an Information Officer will try and help you.