Learning to talk
We want to encourage parents and carers to chat, play and read more with their children to develop their communication, language and literacy skills before starting school. We want to support and empower parents to do more learning and play activities with their children and help overcome the key barriers we know they face, such as lack of time, confidence and not knowing the types of activities that are beneficial. The reality is that these activities take little time, can happen anywhere and can easily be interwoven with daily tasks. And, ultimately, it is as rewarding for parents and carers as it is for their children.
For a break-down of advice and guidance based on the age group of your baby or child, visit the NHS Better Health Start for life page.
Have your say
Help us improve the local information on this website and give us feedback about any contacts you have had with our service by completing the Devon Public Health Nursing feedback form.
Devon County Council runs a confidential secure text messaging service for parents of children aged 0-19 years called ChatHealth. The service operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, excluding bank holidays. All texts will be responded to by a public health nurse (health visitor/school nurse) within 24 hours. Outside of the service working hours, you’ll receive a message back to inform you that your text will be responded to once the line reopens.
You can also call our Public Health Nursing hubs on the numbers listed below.
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Devon text service for parents:
text
07520 631721 -
Eastern public health nursing hub:
phone
0333 234 1903 -
Exeter public health nursing hub:
phone
0333 234 1902 -
Northern public health nursing hub:
phone
0333 234 1904 -
Southern public health nursing hub:
phone
0333 234 1901
If you are concerned about the safety of a child in Devon, contact our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk with as much information as possible.