BLAST was developed in response to an identified need within a Sure Start area of Middlesbrough. Children at aged 3-4 were entering the foundation stage without the basics of speech, language, attention, social communication or turn-taking. As a result, the foundation stage curriculum was way over their heads and the teachers were trying to push them to something unobtainable. Discussion between Nikki Joyce and one of these teachers identified this and identified that what was needed was a programme that started wherever the children were at and built them up in small steps....and so BLAST was born!