Taking Part in the Early Years Conversation Project
We are delighted to share that our nursery is taking part in the Early Years Conversation Project (EYCP) — an exciting professional development programme developed and delivered by the East London Research School. The project was formerly piloted as Manor Park Talks and is based on the Every Child a Talker programme, with a strong foundation in evidence-based research to support language development in young children.
The EYCP aims to promote conversational responsiveness by training two professionals from each setting. In PVI nurseries like ours, this is typically the manager and room lead working with children aged 2–3 years old. Through this programme, our team is learning how to make every interaction more intentional, responsive, and supportive of children’s language growth.
We are thrilled to be working with industry expert Anni McTavish, who is mentoring and guiding us throughout the project. Under her guidance, we are being taught a range of practical methods and techniques to embed into daily practice, ensuring that we get the very best out of every interaction with each child. One key approach we are using is SHrec, which supports high-quality, back-and-forth conversation with children:
Sh – Shared attention: Focusing together on the same object or activity
R – Response: Responding to the child’s attempts to communicate
E – Expand: Building on what the child says to model new language
C – Converse: Engaging in genuine, back-and-forth dialogue
The project places particular focus on supporting:
Two-year-olds
Children with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Children experiencing speech and language delays
By embedding these approaches consistently, we are creating richer, more meaningful learning experiences, strengthening children’s confidence, communication skills, and overall development. This work ensures that every child has the strongest possible foundation for future learning and success.
We look forward to sharing updates and celebrating the positive impact this project is having on our children as it continues.
