CHILDREN at the Leapfrog Day Nursery in Chandler's Ford are set to benefit from an innovative project to help them communicate.

Launched by charity I Can, the I Can Talk project aims to help professionals who work with young children increase their understanding of speech and language, which is essential to early years development.

The training pack was introduced at the Chandler's Ford nursery at the end of May and provides practical suggestions on how staff can support children to develop their speech and language in the vital pre-school years.

Nursery manager Kirsty Walters said: "Communication skills are a very important part of a child's development and we believe the I Can Talk pack will be a very useful resource for staff at the nursery. The pack will help to raise awareness of children's speech and language development and will aid staff in recognising when a child's language is not developing as expected."

Project co-ordinator Victoria Upston added: "What makes I Can Talk unique is that it demonstrates how making use of everyday routines and play activities in early years settings can have a remarkable effect on speech and language development in pre-school children."