WellComm helps to identify children who are experiencing barriers to speech and language development so they can be supported early in their education journey.

WellComm in Lancashire

In Lancashire all PVI settings and childminders have access to the WellComm Toolkit and are asked to screen their children at two years old. The children are then screened termly until they transition to school.

1. Find your WellComm Toolkit and familiarise yourself with all four books.

2. Create a ‘grab bag’ containing all the resources required to begin screening.

3. Attend free training and/or discover how to begin screening your children from another member of your team.

4. Time to plan- consider who to screen first and at which section. Screen children individually for that section before moving on to other children who might be at a different age section.

5. If a child achieves red or amber, keep screening the section below until the child achieves a green.

6. Look at the children’s results for each age phase and make a positive plan of action, using The Big Book of Ideas.

WellComm online training dates 2025-2026

• session 1 Tuesday 15th September 2026, 9.30am - 11am

  OR

• session 1 Monday 9th November 2026, 6pm - 7.30pm

• session 2 Tuesday 13th October 2026, 9.30am - 11am

  OR

• session 2 Monday 7th December 2026, 6pm - 7.30pm

• session 1 Tuesday 12th January 2027, 1.30pm - 3pm

  OR

• session 1 Monday 8th March 2027, 10am - 11.30am

• session 2 Tuesday 9th February 2027, 1.30pm - 3pm

  OR

• session 2 Monday 12th April 2027, 10am - 11.30am

Session 1 - Let's get started – Getting started – A look at what you need to know before undertaking the screenings and a talk through how to use the screening materials

Session 2 - The Wider Picture - Questions and answers following your trying out of the tools in your setting. Using the Big Book of Ideas, Involving parents and using the Wizard.

To access the Teams links for online training look out for your monthly WellComm email that is sent to all PVI settings or contact EarlyYearsCentre@lancashire.gov.uk.

The digital reporting tool

The reporting tool enables you to input each child and record their scores on the WellComm. It will produce a report for each child and suggest appropriate activities from the Big Book of Ideas.

Recent results

Here are some recent results from settings that have inputted their data. Individual children are not identified only the setting name.

1,675 children were assessed across 133 settings. There has been improvement in the percentage of children achieving a green score rising from 54% to 69%.

The number of red scores dropped from 27% to 17% and amber reduced from 19% to 14% from the first to the last assessment.

Boys: Green improved from 46% to 62%; Red reduced from 34% to 22%.

Girls: Green improved from 62% to 75%; Red reduced from 19% to 12%.

Ambassadors

Our ambassadors provide support to help settings understand the screening tool and how to apply and integrate the programme into the busy running of nursery.

Whether it is to talk through how to get started, screening techniques, use of the Big Book of Ideas within daily routines, involving parents, or how to use the Reporting Tool.

The ambassadors will contact settings to discuss the WellComm screening and provide bespoke support according to the successes, needs or barriers each setting face.

Childminder development officers

Childminders have access to the WellComm resources through their development officers. Please get in touch with your development officer to loan the toolkit. They will also support you to get started with screening and implementing the Big Book of Ideas.

Resources

Parent information leaflet

A handy guide to share with parents that explains the purpose of WellComm.

• What is the Wellcomm tool PDF 250 KB

Home learning cards

The Wellcomm parent cards are a valuable resource designed to help families support their child’s speech, language and communication development at home. Each card links directly to a specific area of the Wellcomm Toolkit, allowing parents to reinforce the learning that is already happening in your setting.

These cards are simple, practical and easy to use. They offer everyday ideas that fit naturally into home routines, helping parents feel confident and involved in their child’s progress.

As a practitioner, you can use these cards to:

• share targeted support with families based on the section of Wellcomm their child has been signposted to

• encourage home learning that complements your setting’s language-rich environment

• build strong partnerships with parents by giving them tools to actively support their child’s development

You might choose to:

• print and hand out individual cards during parent meetings or reviews

• upload them to your digital platforms (for example, nursery apps, websites, or parent portals) for easy access

• use them as part of your communication strategy to keep families informed and engaged

By making these cards available, you’re helping to create a consistent and supportive approach to early language development, at home and in your setting.

How to support WellComm everyday.

WellComm can become part of everyday practice through:

• interactions

• circle time

• transitions

• outdoor play

• routines

• stories and songs

• groups

• challenges