Bolton Start Well

One week to go!

Just 7️⃣ days until the festival returns!

The stalls are getting ready, the entertainment is being planned and excitement is building across the town.

Who's joining us for the Bank Holiday weekend? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

📅 28-31 August

Bolton providers are invited to sign up/refer families to access the programme. It's free with sessions at Harvey and Oxford Grove Best Start Family Hubs in the autumn 2026 and spring 2027 terms.

To find out more: https://www.boltonstartwell.org.uk/news/article/854/recreate-u-learn-language-together

The Elklan 3-5s course will help practitioners develop practical, evidence-based strategies to support:

✅Listening & attention
✅Understanding language
✅Vocabulary development
✅Play and communication
✅Working with parents and families

https://bit.ly/4fteOEu

Attention Autism training is delivered online and consists of six live sessions (1hr 15m each), alongside accreditation requirements.

Autumn 2026 term: https://bit.ly/4vu6Yio

Fully funded for Bolton early years providers.

The Gold Standard 'GMCA WellComm Training' provides us with a deeper level of knowledge & skills to know how to effectively use both the WellComm screen and the interventions.

https://bit.ly/4hkB1pF

18th Sep & 2nd Oct 26
9:30am - 12:30pm
Harvey Best Start Family Hub

🌟 Working with 2-year-olds in Bolton?

Join a free to attend, early years network session next month!

✔️local service updates
✔️explore new resources
✔️share practice
✔️connect with early years colleagues

Available dates:
📅 24 Sep, 6:30pm 🔗 https://bit.ly/4h69w31
📅 25 Sep, 9:30am 🔗 https://bit.ly/4yvbQqd

Join the Think Equal movement
🌟 Fully funded opportunity for early years settings 🌟

Could your nursery benefit from a world-class social and emotional learning programme?

Think Equal is a global education programme designed to support children's emotional wellbeing, social skills, and school readiness during the most important years of development.

New participating settings will receive:
✅ Online practitioner training
✅ 22 narrative picture books
✅ 90 session guides
✅ 50+ classroom resources

Have Think Equal in your setting already? You are welcome to come along for a refresher.

This fully funded programme is available for children aged 3-4 years.
Register your interest in attending one of the online orientation sessions (in Sep/Oct) and discover how Think Equal can support your children, families and staff.

📅 Expression of Interest deadline: 18 September 2026

https://bit.ly/3SA8iD3

ELKLAN 3-5s Accredited Training

📅 Starts Tuesday 22 Sep 2026
🕤 9:30am-12:00pm
📍 Great Lever Best Start Family Hub
💷 £115

Build confidence in supporting children's speech, language, and communication development.

Book now at https://bit.ly/4fteOEu

On 15 July 2026, we shared information with the Bolton Early Years Workforce about the introduction of Talking Walk-Ins for pre-school children, which will replace the current EY/PSCC pathways. At that time, we advised that details of venues, dates, and times would be shared once finalised. We are pleased to now confirm this information - see flyer attached.

From 21 September 2026, Talking Walk-Ins will be available every weekday at Bolton Best Start Family Hubs. Further information, including a copy of the original communication, is now available on the Start Well website https://bit.ly/4gxzxax

📢Important Reminder
Talking Walk-Ins are not a replacement for the graduated approach, universal or targeted strategies. Most children with speech, language, and communication needs will be supported through:

🟡Quality First Teaching and high-quality adult interactions
🟡A communication and language curriculum tailored to individual needs
🟡Bolton's 5 Golden Rules
🟡Universal WellComm screening
🟡Use of the Big Book of Ideas and home learning activities shared with parents

Talking Walk-Ins should be considered for children who:
🟡Score exceptionally low on WellComm screening
🟡Present with complex speech, language, and communication needs
🟡Make limited or no progress after 12 weeks of targeted support and communication and language strategies

These children and families should be signposted to a Talking Walk-In by SENCOs and Early Years Professionals.

The Early Years Communication and Language Development Service continue to be available for advice and guidance on 01204 338349 or email: [email protected]

Bolton Start Well continue to support the embedding of the Communication and Language Pathway. Please get in-touch if you have any questions or would like some advice or support [email protected]

Early years providers in Bolton, including childminders and those working with young children in Bolton - Join us on Thursday this week for a FREE workshop that provides information, tips and access to resources that help to boost early communication and language.

There is a morning, afternoon and evening session to choose from - all you need to do is book your place and turn up ready to learn.

Book here (free to attend): https://bit.ly/4muHoWv

Everyday Communication: The 5 Golden Rules in Action is a fully funded (free) workshop for anyone working or volunteering with young children and their families in Bolton.

The workshop covers:

⭐National and Local Speech, Language, and Communication context
⭐Why the Golden Rules are key Bolton resource
⭐What do the 5 Golden Rules look like in action
⭐How can we share the 5 Golden Rules with parents
⭐Scenarios and take away practical ideas
⭐Free take-away resources
⭐Identify next steps for yourself and your team

Book a free place: https://bit.ly/4muHoWv