Children’s Speech and Language Walk-In Service (Talking Walk-ins)
Play-based drop-in sessions for anyone concerned about their pre-school child’s speech, language or communication skills.
Contact us
The sessions are held at children’s centres and are for people living in the Ashford, Dover, or Folkestone and Hythe districts. Contact your local children’s centre to find out when your nearest session takes place.
Please note - If our speech and language therapy service is currently working with you and your child, please do not attend a Talking Walk-in. You can discuss questions and queries with the speech and language therapist who is working with you.
What we do
Talking Walk-ins give you advice or ideas to try at home to help you with your child’s speech, language or communication skills.
We may signpost you to other support or invite you to a follow-up appointment with the speech and language therapy service.
About your appointment
Talking Walk-ins are play-based, so you and your child will be able to play with different toys and equipment while staff observe. You will be able to discuss your concerns with staff, who will give you advice or ideas to try at home.
Where and when do we provide this service?
Talking Walk-ins are held at the following Children’s Centres:
Ashford district
The Willow Children’s Centre
Address: Brookfield Road, Ashford, TN23 4EY
Telephone: 03000 418800
Sessions: first Thursday of every month, 9.30-11am.
Bluebells Children’s Centre
Address: School Road, Hothfield, TN26 1HA
Telephone: 03000 418300
Sessions: second Tuesday of every month, 1-2.30pm.
Waterside Children’s Centre
Address: Turner Close, Ashford
Telephone: 03000 418700
Sessions: third Wednesday of every month, 1-2.30pm.
Sure Steps Children’s Centre
Address: Belmont Road, Kennington, TN24 9LS
Telephone: 03000 418600
Sessions: fourth Monday of every month, 9.30-11am.
Little Explorers Children’s Centre
Address: Recreation Ground Road, Tenterden, TN30 6RA,
Telephone: 03000 418400
Sessions: fifth Wednesday of every month (when it occurs) 1-2.30pm.
Dover district
Buckland and Whitfield Children’s Centre
St Nicholas Church, The Linces, Dover, CT16 2BN
Telephone: 03000 414941
Sessions: first and fourth Wednesday of every month, 9.15-11.45am. Please call to confirm the session is running on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Dover District Youth Hub
Address: Linwood, Park Avenue, Deal, CT14 9UU
Telephone: 03000 420008
Sessions: second Wednesday of every month, 9.15-11.45am, from May 2024
Samphire Children’s Centre
Address: Aycliffe Primary School, St David’s Avenue, Aycliffe, CT17 9HJ
Telephone: 03000 420882
Sessions: third Wednesday of every month, 9.15-11.45am
Folkestone and Hythe district
Caterpillars Children’s Centre
Address: Chart Road, Folkestone, CT19 4PN
Telephone: 03000 421167
Sessions: first Tuesday of every month, 9.30-11.45am.
Folkestone Early Years Children’s Centre
Address: Dover Road, Folkestone, CT20 1QF
Telephone: 03000 421167
Sessions: second Wednesday of every month, 9.30-11.45am
The Village Children’s Centre
Address: Denmark Street, Folkestone, CT19 6EQ
Telephone: 03000 421167
Sessions: third Monday of every month, 9.30-11.45am.
New Romney Children’s Centre
Address: Craythorne Lane, New Romney, TN28 8BL
Telephone: 03000 421167
Sessions: fourth Wednesday of every month, 9.30-11.45am.
How do you use this service?
You do not need a referral or an appointment to access Talking Walk-ins – just drop in to your local children’s centre during a session and you will be able to talk to the team.
Sessions run throughout the year, including school holidays, but not Bank Holidays or between Christmas and New Year. Please call your local children’s centre to confirm the time and day of each session or check their Facebook pages.