English as an additional language (EAL) for Early Years

Norfolk County Council (NCC) offers tailored support for children with EAL in the early years through local educational teams and resources. Here are some key supports available in the region:

NCC's Early Years and Childcare Team provides guidance, training and resources to support practitioners working with children with EAL. The team works closely with early years settings to ensure staff are equipped to meet their children's diverse needs. To speak to an Adviser, email the Early Years Advice Line or call 01603 222300 opt. 3. 

EAL Training sessions are hosted online for early years practitioners. These courses cover strategies for supporting communication and language development in children with EAL and creating culturally responsive learning environments.

NCC's EAL Advisory Team has developed a toolkit for schools* focussed on EAL. The aim of the toolkit is to provide guidance around a whole school approach to supporting children and young people with EAL to feel welcome, safe and valued as well as providing step by step guidance on how to support children and young people appropriately who are identified as having EAL.

*Although the toolkit has a school-based focus many of the ideas and information may be beneficial to early years settings.