Childminder-led structured language enrichment in the Early Years

This project will investigate the feasibility of adapting a structured language enrichment programme, NELI Preschool, to make it suitable to be delivered by childminders.   

Why this project is important

Language skills are foundational to children’s education and wellbeing. NELI Preschool is an early years language enrichment programme for 3-4 year-olds attending preschool. It is proven to improve language skills before schooling begins. However, it is not currently available to the over 100,000 2-4 year old children attending childminders.  

Childminders often face limited professional development opportunities and work in very different ways to pre-schools, often working alone or just with one other person, and looking after a smaller number of children of a range of different ages.  

What it will involve

The research will explore: 

• The configuration of the childminder sector and variability in service delivery. 

• Childminders’ attitudes, strengths, weaknesses, and training needs around supporting children’s language development. 

• Attitudes toward structured programmes and contextual factors affecting implementation of programmes. 

• How to adapt the NELI Preschool to make it suitable for delivery by childminders, with the aim of improving children’s oral language and wider competencies. 

• Whether the adapted programme is acceptable, feasible, and improves childminder knowledge, confidence, and practice. 

The research will be completed in two stages:   

Stage 1: Exploratory Research 

• Analysis of administrative data and surveys, interviews, and focus groups with childminders and other early years professionals to map current practices and barriers. 

• A nationally representative survey of over 8,000 childminders to explore their pedagogical attitudes and use of evidence-based programmes.  

• Qualitative and quantitative analyses to triangulate findings and inform adaptation of the NELI-Preschool programme.   

Stage 2: Formative Evaluation  

• Adapt NELI-Preschool for small-group delivery in childminder settings, incorporating flexible timelines, parental involvement, and tailored training.   

• Pilot the adapted programme in 15 settings, collecting data through session observations, childminder feedback, and video recordings.   

• Measure outcomes at childminder, child, and parent levels, including pre- and post-programme assessments of language skills, school readiness, and socio-emotional development.   

How it will make a difference

Findings will be an adapted version of NELI for childminders and will deepen understanding of language enrichment in the childminder context. Stakeholders for the project include childminders, parents, local authorities, policymakers, and Early Years professional associations.