In an initial parent/carer meeting, with an interpreter, find out information about the child and what the parents’/carers’ expectations of the setting are.

Ask them about how they care for their child: the food they give, the routines they have, the things that comfort their child when upset etc. For example there may be a particular song that calms them. Ask the parents/carers for a recording if so.

·      Be careful to pronounce child’s names correctly – listen to how the parents say them and note how they spell them.

·      Make a photo book of what the children do in the setting such as going out for a walk or playing in the garden. Send a copy home (digital or printed) so that parents/carers know what experiences their child has had. This will help the parents understand what happens in the setting. The children will have heard English words for things in your setting that they have not heard in their home language; parents can look at the pictures and use equivalent words in first language so that their child learns the two languages in parallel.

·      Communicate regularly through the relevant app or profile using pictures and short simple sentences that can be easily translated by the parents/carers. *Some parents/carers may find this way of communication difficult. A session could be offered to help any parents to understand how to use the relevant apps and translation features.

To help the bilingual child feel comfortable in your setting and to feel that their cultural background and language are valued, include music, songs and nursery rhymes from the home culture in English and translated into their home languages (ask parents for help).

Many examples of stories, rhymes and songs in other languages can be found online through video sharing platforms such as Youtube.

Routine gives children security so it is important that the children are made aware of the routine as soon as possible. Bear in mind the routines used at home which the child may recognise.

Routine is also an important structure for children to begin to learn the English words for what happens in the setting. Commentate what you do with the children no matter how old they are. With repetition they will become familiar with the words for the things that they see and do.