Working with Family and Community Hubs
Closing the early language gap before children start school.
Read, Play, Create works with family hubs and community settings to support children who are starting school without the language, vocabulary and confidence they need.
Through story-led, play-based sessions, we help children build communication, understanding and early literacy skills in a way that feels natural, engaging and accessible for families.
Our programmes are designed to support school readiness, strengthen parent confidence and reach families who may not engage with traditional services.
Why Early Language Matters.
Many children are now starting school with:
limited vocabulary
low confidence in speaking
difficulty understanding and expressing ideas
Without early support, these gaps quickly impact reading, writing and learning across the curriculum.
Family hubs and community spaces play a vital role in changing this.
School Readiness & Early Language Programmes
Structured, story-led programmes designed to build the language and communication skills children need before starting school.
Each programme includes:
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high-quality, vocabulary-rich storytelling
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carefully designed play to develop communication
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opportunities for talk, interaction and confidence building
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parent-child learning to support language at home
Ideal for:
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children aged 2–5
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pre-school cohorts
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families needing additional support
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funded early help programmes
A Consistent School Readiness Offer
Read, Play, Create can work with hubs across the year to provide consistent, structured early language support aligned to community needs.
Examples include:
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“Starting School” programmes
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language boost groups
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themed literacy sessions linked to key transition points
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holiday provision with a clear developmental focus
Designed to support early years outcomes, communication and school readiness priorities.
Targeted Language & Communication Support
These small-group sessions support children who need additional help to develop:
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speech and language
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understanding and attention
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confidence in communication
Particularly effective for:
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children with emerging speech and language needs
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EAL learners
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children not engaging in larger group provision
Supporting Parents to Build Language at Home
Workshops designed to give parents simple, practical ways to:
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build vocabulary through everyday moments
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support communication through books
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feel confident engaging their child in learning
Strengthens the home learning environment and supports long-term impact beyond sessions.
The Impact
Programmes are designed to support:
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improved communication and vocabulary
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increased confidence in speaking and interaction
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stronger engagement with books and stories
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better readiness for Reception and early learning
Our Approach
We understand that family hubs provide more than activities — they provide safe, welcoming spaces for connection and early support.
All sessions are:
• Inclusive and accessible
• Calm and structured
• Focused on communication and confidence
• Adaptable to meet community priorities
Reading sits at the heart of every session, ensuring experiences are both meaningful and purposeful.
Delivery and Practical Information
Suitable for mixed ages (approx. 0–7 years depending on session type)
• Delivered in partnership with hub staff
• Minimal preparation required from the setting
• Adaptable to suit funding criteria and attendance needs
Flexible pricing available upon enquiry, with options for block bookings and funded programmes.
About Vanessa
Delivered by Vanessa Rathmill — trained primary teacher and founder of Read, Play, Create.
With a background in education and a strong focus on early language development, sessions are designed to be structured, inclusive and supportive for families within community settings.
Let’s plan your school readiness offer.
If you are looking to support early language development, school readiness or family engagement within your setting, I’d love to work with you.
Programmes can be tailored to your community, funding priorities and the needs of your families.