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The Peep TALK programme was developed for practitioners to help families foster their young child's speech, language and communication development in everyday life. Created by Peeple in collaboration with Speech and Language Therapists, Peep TALK emphasises the importance of everyday interactions in enhancing communication skills within the home.

Key features of the Peep TALK Programme:

• Comprehensive content: The programme offers eight engaging group or one-to-one sessions, supported by ‘Talking at Home’ handouts, practical tips, and video clips that practitioners can share with parents and their children.
   
• Parents and children together: Designed for parents and their young children with a developmental stage or age from about 18 months to four years.
   
• Empowering parents: Peep TALK helps parents understand how and why different ways of interacting with their child actively supports their speech and language development, and the positive impact it has on their child’s future communication skills.
   
• Real-life activities: Peep TALK offers free or low-cost activities, ideas and interactions that fit easily into everyday life, and make a big difference to a child’s communication development.
   
• Flexible delivery: The sessions are adaptable, enabling practitioners to deliver them in a way that best meets the needs of their local community, whether in groups or one-to-one.
   
• Early intervention: Ideal as a first in-house intervention or for families awaiting support from a Speech and Language Therapist.
   
• Strengths-based approach: The programme promotes a positive, non-judgemental, and interactive way of working with families, building on the things they already do.
   
• Evidence-informed: The programme was developed by Peeple in collaboration with Speech and Language Therapists, building on our joint work with early years settings and families over many years. It complements our other Peep programmes.
   

>  Peep TALK in Family Hubs:  Find out how and why Barking and Dagenham Family Hubs are using Peep TALK, including reflections from their Speech and Language Therapist

Peep TALK Training and resources for practitioners

>  Find out more about the Peep TALK Training - you can book your own Peep TALK Training course, or book places on one of our open  courses

>  Check forthcoming Training dates

>  If you've completed Peep TALK Training and created a website account - log in then access your Peep TALK resources

"Really good training to help parents understand the importance of how they are currently supporting their child and how they can extend this." Peep TALK Training delegate, Hull

> News: New Peep in Further Education video

Our new video and case study explore how Ayrshire College is delivering Peep with families, giving students meaningful opportunities to put learning into practice and develop the communication skills and family-centred approach that employers value, and which is at the heart of Peep and effective early years practice. - read more and watch the video

> News: Families Learning Together - what we learned

Our new Families Learning Together evaluation report shows how early, relationship-based Peep family learning can help strengthen support for babies, young children and families while improving how local systems work together. Funded through the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund and delivered across 11 Scottish local authority areas, the project highlights the value of prevention, trusted relationships, local flexibility and joined-up working across services.
- read more

> News: New Peep in Scotland video

We’re really excited to share our Peep in Scotland video, showcasing the different ways Peep is delivered and shaped by the communities and partners who bring it to life every day - watch the video

> News: Peeple joint workshop at Children in Scotland Conference

Together with our partners from NHS Ayrshire and Arran and Sanquhar Academy, we'll be sharing two ways in which the Peep Learning Together Programme is being used with families: Fun with Food and in a secondary school with pupils working alongside the Peep-trained staff and families...
- read more

> Blog: In it together – a parent/practitioner partnership approach to starting nursery or school

How and why it's worth prioritising transition sessions for parents and children starting school next term
- read more

>  Blog: Screens, tantrums and young children's brain development

The latest neuroscience indicates that young brains learn best from slow-paced, repetitive and predictable experiences - interesting insights from Professor Sam Wass at the annual Learnus lecture
- read more 

>  Blog: Working with parents and young children to help them reach a Good Level of Development

The Department for Education has set a milestone: by 2028, 75% of five-year-olds in England should reach a ‘Good Level of Development’ (GLD) when they start Year 1. We've mapped suggested Learning Together Programme topics to the 12 Early Learning Goals that contribute to this objective - read more

>  News: Save the Children's Families Connect programme joins Peeple

We are thrilled to announce that the Families Connect programme, developed and delivered by Save the Children since 2014, will be transitioning to Peeple as part of our portfolio of training programmes. - read more

> Blog: Peeple and Kenya... Connect

We recently went to Kenya to collaborate with colleagues at Kenya Connect, discuss early learning and play with local families, and train practitioners to use the Peep Learning Together Programme - would it work in a Kenyan context?  - read more

>  News: Peeple & Mellow Parenting partnership

Peeple & Mellow Parenting are delighted to announce that we are developing a strategic partnership, working together with the aim of providing an even higher level of support to both organisations' Practitioners - read more

> News: Remembering Teresa Smith, former Peeple Trustee

We celebrate the life of Teresa Smith: one of the original advisors when Peeple was founded, later Chair of Peeple Trustees, and always a joy and privilege to be around - read more

> News: New Peep TALK programme and training

Peep TALK is our new programme created for practitioners to help families foster their young child's speech, language and communication development in everyday life. Created by Peeple in collaboration with Speech and Language Therapists, Peep TALK emphasises how and why everyday interactions, songs, stories and play support the development of communication skills within the home.
- read more

>  News: Peeple Family Fun Day

CBeebies star Nigel Clarke joined our recent Family Fun Day at the Peeple Centre in Oxford. 400 babies, children, parents and carers enjoyed a day of free activities with local partners including The Story Museum, Ashmolean Museum and Oxfordshire Libraries  - read more

>  Blog: 3 key messages from new Sure Start research for organisations using Peep Programmes 

Find out how and why the new research findings are echoed in Peep delivery - from engaging families who might most benefit, to having a joined-up approach, to narrowing the attainment gap - read more

>  News: our next free info session about Practitioner Accreditation

Find out how you or Peep Learning Together Programme-trained colleagues can complete the Practitioner Accreditation unit as part of your Peep delivery:
Join our next session on Wednesday 8th May 3.30 - 4.30pm
> Email us and we'll send you a Teams link for your calendar:  [email protected]

>  News: update on Peep in Australia – empowering families in every state and territory

A recent visit enabled our Peeple UK CEO and Training Manager to catch up with colleagues at Playgroup Victoria, the Peep Training licence holder in Australia - meetings lots of families and professionals, and presenting at their conference - read more

>  News: Remembering Sir Tim Brighouse - former Peeple Trustee

We were very sad to hear of the death of Professor Sir Tim Brighouse on 16 December 2023. Tim was one of the great minds behind Peeple, and went on to serve as a trustee - read more

>  Blog: Growing Minds - lessons learned and getting involved

Our third Learning Event enabled us to reflect on the last few months in our Growing Minds collaborative, community project that helps improve young children's development and outcomes - what we did, what changed within our communities, and what we learned - read more

> News:  Narrowing the attainment gap - Learning Together Study update

Further analysis of our RCT study has shown that Peep made the greatest  difference to children eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium - they made an additional 4 months' progress in core language skills and in communication, and 3 months' additional progress in early literacy development - read more

>  Blog: Everyday play with free, everyday things

Children love exploratory play, experimenting with the objects around them. When you harness this curiosity together, it might surprise you what fun you can have. Check out our list of everyday objects and ideas for how they can be used in play - read more

>  News:  Rod's Bicycling for Books campaign to get books into the hands of children is complete!

Cycling 745 miles in 90 hours to raise over £6,000 for Oxford Peep's Dolly Parton Imagination Library - helping to provide the gift of reading by providing a free book every month for local children - read more

>  Blog: Supporting the Peep Progression Pathway - England

Our Adult Learning Development Manager for England began her Peep journey back in 2010 as a Children's Centre teacher in Leicester. She's now supporting Peep practitioners to use the Peep Progression Pathway, enabling parents to gain qualification units - read more

>  Blog:  Ayrshire College's innovative early years offer

Early Learning and Childcare students at Ayrshire College are given the opportunity to support Peep sessions for families, alongside their Peep-trained lecturers - improving their skills and experience in communicating and engaging with parents - read more

We were very sad to hear of the death of Professor Sir Tim Brighouse on 16 December 2023. Tim was one of the great minds behind Peeple, set up in 1995 with the audacious plan to improve education outcomes of children at secondary school, by working with their parents from birth. Mike O’Regan, our founder, recalls how Tim (then Oxfordshire’s Chief Education Officer) responded to the idea with his characteristic enthusiasm and supportive energy and helped give PEEP (our former name) its confident start.

Tim went on to serve as a trustee until 2014. During this time, we benefitted from his kindness and warmth as well as his wisdom, extraordinary breadth of experience and, when needed, his firmness and authority. We were lucky to have him – clearly a feeling shared by (almost!) everyone he worked with or who enjoyed correspondence with him, judging by the personal and poignant comments shared recently in the press. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read this letter from a Nursery Teacher in the Guardian: “I once wrote to Tim in despair about the effect of some educational ‘reform’ on my nursery class. He replied by return post and advised me to collect all the relevant paperwork, set fire to it in the garden and dance around it. ‘It won't make any difference, but it might make you feel better’ he wrote. His letter certainly did.”

Sally Smith
Peeple CEO

During the Covid pandemic, delivery of Peep sessions switched to virtual as practitioners committed to finding new ways to reach parents who needed support. This way of delivery was very successful, with high levels of engagement reported. As restrictions have eased, some practitioners have flagged up anxieties, from themselves and families, about returning to face to face sessions. A common question has been about what measures to put in place to encourage group cohesion whilst still respecting personal feelings surrounding Covid.

Becky Robertson is a Family Support Worker at the Shetland Family Centre and moved back to face to face sessions in May 2021, before most of the country. Here is her experience:

I work in a family centre which is not registered with the Care Inspectorate; it doesn’t come under education or schools legislation either  – we are a bit of an anomaly really!  It means that our parent groups are considered to be under the ‘support group’ or ‘parent and toddler group’ umbrella, which enabled us to deliver in-person from May 2021. This was fantastic, but restrictions were still quite tight in some respects and anxieties around Covid were very high for staff and families.

We started with a pilot group of just three families and two workers, which still felt like loads of people to have in one room at that stage!  According to the restrictions relating to social distancing (then 2 metres), the room we were using could hold a maximum of eight adults, but even that amount felt really strange at first.

We adopted some subtle tools to social distancing, without it feeling awkward, and found these really helped to make people feel more relaxed in the ‘new normal’:

Invested in yoga mats for the families to sit on

At 1.5m long it meant that once the mats were spaced out on the floor people were distanced.  We also used name labels on the mats instead of on people, which meant a ‘safe zone’ for each family, and everyone stuck to their own mat.

Individual treasure baskets for each family and used washable shopping bags for ‘What’s in the bag?’

Having the individual trays of toys meant everything was washed after each session and we kept the same colour for each family each week; giving families a sense of security.

Laminated song lyrics

These were wiped down in-between sessions.  We even did our best to chant, instead of sing, to reduce concerns for all!

Individual reusable travel cups

I saw this in another Peep group and it worked really well.  Parents and carers could decorate them and write their names and preferences and we would have a cuppa ready when they arrived each week - they could also take them home at the end of the block.  It proved a great option for us as facilitators, not only because it cut out the anxieties around mug swapping, sharing spoons, etc. but also because we could have it ready in advance.

Small, individual snacks in decorated Tupperware tubs

We got the parents to write on any allergies and filled them with fruit/veg for the groups which clashed with snack time.

As well as these new ideas, we ensured that all rules around Covid were touched upon at the start of the session in the normal ‘housekeeping’ introduction, and hand sanitiser was available at various points around the room.

Now that we are living in a world of no masks, testing, or distancing that all seems pretty strict and historic… but some of the approaches are continuing into the new blocks which started in May:

We still use individual mats for the families, and label them, instead of the people.  It means less anxiety for families as they arrive as they don’t have to choose a space, know exactly where they are going and know what to expect. It also means that names are visible at all times; alleviating concerns around forgetting a name or a badge being obscured right in the middle of the 'Hello' song. We continue to work with small numbers, trying to facilitate more families by offering short blocks, as it still feels more comfortable to us at this time, but we now work on the principle of recruiting 5-6 families per block. 

My advice would always be to start small and see how it feels and progresses from there; it's always going to be easier once the first block is done and each block will flag up things that worked well, and things that didn’t!  Don’t overthink it, remember that the families have no idea if you’re ‘doing it right’ or not; plus they love it when you make a mistake or two - it makes them feel less pressured to be perfect themselves!

For Peep practitioners, head to the members area here for delivery support resources. 

Hi, my name is Debbie Holmes, and I am Peeple’s Qualifications Manager, supporting the Peep Progression Pathway for parents (pictured between Peeple Training and Accreditation Manager Liz Ersoy and CEO Sally Smith)

My Peep journey began in 2010 when I became a Children’s Centre teacher in Leicester, and it has shaped and formed my practice ever since. I became a Peep practitioner delivering groups to parents, carers and their children from birth to 5 years in different schools, centres and shelters. I soon saw the power and magic behind the Peep Learning Together Programme in supporting parents to understand their child’s communication and development needs.

The simple yet key messages delivered in Peep sessions show parents that everything they do with their children from birth (and even before, through the Peep Antenatal Programme) supports brain development, language acquisition and secure attachments at a time when their children’s capacity to learn is optimal. 

The power of Peep groups is the delivery of simple, high impact messages, highlighting children’s learning through observation, and sharing these observations with parents. Soon parents were able to spot learning in everyday situations for themselves, and from this point they could build up a picture of their child’s preferred learning styles, interests and strengths whilst also developing their child’s language and skills effortlessly.

Many of the parents attending Peep sessions made amazing memory books or learning journals to share with their children and record their joint learning journey. This led naturally into supporting parents back into their own education, as their Peep journals could be used in the parent accreditation that we offer through our Peep Progression Pathway - nationally recognised units which cover three qualification levels for parents and carers as learners, and which formally recognises the learning which is already occurring within a Peep session. 

My job as practitioner was to guide parents on this journey. It is a very humbling experience, watching a parent and child grow and learn together. This passion continued with me when I returned to teaching in schools, where I introduced Peep groups to support the transition for parents and their children who were starting school. I wish I had known what I know now when my children were young!

When I saw the role with Peeple for Qualifications Manager I was so excited to be a part of its development and growth, and even more excited to be welcomed on board. Every parent wants the best for their child, but there is no manual attached at birth! Peep offers a supportive non-judgmental environment where parents can learn how to support their children and connect with peers who they often form lasting friendships with. Look out for groups near you in family hubs, libraries, schools and other community venues, and if there aren’t any, ask your Local Authority.

We are very proud of our updated Peep Progression Pathway, which supports parents to achieve qualifications at three levels - up to level 5 in Scotland and level 2 in the rest of the UK - a gateway into childcare and other related courses and jobs. Get in touch with me to find out more about how to continue your learning journey with Peep! 

email:  [email protected]  |   website: Peep Progression Pathway   |  Peep Progression Pathway Training for Practitioners

Improving children's outcomes...

We already knew that overall the Learning Together Study found that the Peep Learning Together Programme made a positive difference of an additional two‑months progress over a five-month period to children’s early literacy development.

... and narrowing the attainment gap:

However, further analysis has shown that the Programme made the greatest  difference to children eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium, who made an additional four months progress in core language skills and in communication, and three months additional progress in early literacy development.

The Learning Together Study was a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of a 20-week version of the Peep Learning Together Programme for three-year olds.  It was carried out by Queen’s University Belfast and funded by the Education Endowment Foundation, involving 1447 families from 139 nursery settings across England.

The Peep Learning Together Programme is based on evidence that the quality of learning opportunities within a child’s home environment increases their chances of doing well at school and beyond.

> Read more...

Peep Progression Pathway qualification units for parents can be delivered and assessed by Peep-trained practitioners as part of your usual Peep sessions.   On this page you can find out how to become a Delivery Centre for offering the units to parents, including free information and delivery support sessions. 

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 Join a free Pathway Information session for practitioners and managers

Find out more about using the Peep Progression Pathway with families in your Peep sessions
- click here for forthcoming Info session dates

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Who can deliver the Pathway units?

You need to:

• attend Peep Learning Together Programme (LTP) Training
• attend Peep Progression Pathway Training
• be part of a local Delivery Centre (see below).

Full guidance and procedures are provided in the training.

The units are assessed entirely by portfolio. Through this portfolio the parents reflect on their own child’s development and their role as first educator. This enables them to recognise their existing skills and knowledge and build on these through the session content and its application in everyday life.

Peep Progression Pathway qualification units are awarded by SCQF and are credit rated by Qualifications Scotland (QS - previously known as SQA: Scottish Qualifications Authority), at 3 levels. They are recognised by Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation in England) on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF - which accredits qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland).  

Pathway units are being successfully delivered with learners in a variety of settings across the UK, including:

• in Peep groups or one-to-one in the home - indoors or outdoors
• through social work with foster carers, kinship carers and volunteers
• in community centres, libraries, early years settings, schools and health centres

How to become a Delivery Centre for the Peep Progression Pathway

Find out more:

Training aims:

Delegates will learn how to:

• deliver Peep Progression Pathway qualification units for parents/carers within your Peep sessions
• assess learner evidence and give constructive feedback
• use adult learning principles within your Peep delivery
• understand the SCQF processes and paperwork requirements.

Please note: Before attending training  your organisation will need to go through the process of setting up as a Delivery Centre, if there isn't one in your area - find out more about becoming a delivery centre or attend our next Pathway Information session.

Who for:

Practitioners with relevant experience (early years, family learning, adult learning, social work, health and/or family support), who have completed our Peep Learning Together Programme Training. This course is also suited to volunteers, parents and student placements who support co-delivery of Peep groups.

>  If you previously attended Pathway training but would like a refresher - you can either re-attend this course for free (email [email protected]), or attend the next free one-hour Delivery Support session - info on Pathway for Organisations page.

Feedback from delegates:

• "Brilliant, the training has left me with a really clear understanding of how the Pathway works, and the different levels that parents can do."
• "It was really helpful exploring the portfolio, becoming familiar with what they look like, and going through examples of answers. It was also good talking to others in breakout rooms to figure out what we might do."

How to book training:

> Check course dates then complete and return the Peep Progression Pathway Training Booking Form  (or email [email protected] for Refresher)

>  Contact [email protected] with any questions

>  Or find out about arranging your own in-house training 

Duration: 1-day (9.30 - 3.30pm)

Training price: £185 + vat pp, including online access to Peep Progression Pathway delivery and assessment resources. 

Online platform:  Microsoft Teams (let us know if you can only use another platform). Delegates should each  have a laptop/ computer (or tablet) to use, at home or at work; if this is a problem please let us know in advance.

Please book and send delegate details at least 10 working days before the course.

Find out more about:

>   Peep Progression Pathway parent qualification units

>   How you could deliver the Peep Progression Pathway units in your area

Payment and Cancellation Terms and Conditions:  Peep Learning Ltd, the trading arm of Peeple, will invoice you after receiving this booking form. Payment is due within 30 days of invoice date. Fees are only refundable if cancelled more than two weeks before the course. (Peep Learning Ltd Vat Registration no: 768 4173 94)

Contact us with any questions:  [email protected]  

You can't beat getting together with other families and practitioners to share parenting ideas and experiences - but there are also lots of ideas and information online. Here are a few:

>  Peep social media pages - all @PeepleCentre -  Facebook ~  Instagram  ~  Twitter

>  CBeebies' The Baby Club and The Toddler Club - lots of episodes and songs available on the BBC iPlayer, with more being filmed.  We've loved being education consultants for these fab series since the beginning. 

>  BBC Tiny Happy People - lots of great video clips of activities and info, filmed with families. 

>  Parenting across Scotland - links for free parenting programmes (and other info) across Scottish local authorities.

>  Sure Start Partnerships in Northern Ireland - Northern Ireland Sure Starts focus on supporting parents from pregnancy to school with their children's learning skills, health and well-being, and social and emotional development.

>  England - The government in England doesn't currently have a centralised webpage with info or links to local Children's Centres (previously known as Sure Start) or Family Hubs. However, Family Hubs are replacing (or re-naming) children's centres, so more will probably appear on the Family Hubs Network website.  Local councils also have links to their children's centres and/or family hubs, as well as local Family Information Directories, which provide information about local services.

> Dadvengers - blogs, podcasts and free weekly get-togethers (via instagram live) from Nigel Clarke (The Baby Club presenter and Peep Ambassador), to support dads on their journey through parenthood. 

> Play.hooray - lots of playful early learning ideas on Instagram from Peep ambassador Claire.

'Ready and...' is one of the favourite songs in our Peep groups. The babies and toddlers love the simple tune and actions - and it's amazing how much they're learning at the same time.

Once they've got to know the song, your baby or toddler will start to know what's going to happen next - you might notice it in their face, as they wait during the pause then laugh or look excited as you lift them (or their arms) up and down. Understanding 'what happens next' is an important life skill as children get older.

Action songs are also a great way for young children to learn what words mean, as they move up and down, side to side, backwards and forwards.

If you're not sure of the tune, here's a link: > Ready and...  or just make up your own tune.