'Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.' - Emile Buchwald

Our pupils in Nursery and Reception get off to a great start with their early reading journey from the moment they join us. We follow a validated phonics scheme called 'Little Wandle' to teach our pupils how to read. 

Nursery

High quality texts are shared daily in Nursery class. The classroom has a beautiful reading area where children are encouraged to get cosy and get lost in a good book! Children in Nursery are taught 'Foundations for Phonics', following the Little Wandle guidance. Nursery children work on activities that develop focused listening and attention such as oral blending and tuning into sounds. Our provision includes a balance of child-led and adult-led experiences.

In Nursery we avoid teaching letter names as this is not helpful to children at this stage and can cause confusion. Letter names are taught in Reception at an appropriate time. We also avoid any inaccurate enunciation of pure sounds. 

Nursery children take home a self- selected book to share at home with parents. This is changed weekly. Look out for information on parental workshops and useful updates on how to support your child's reading on the Nursery class dojo page. 

Reception

To get our children off to the very best of starts with their early reading, phonics is taught daily in our Reception class. Children are taught in small groups by a member of staff who has received up to date phonics training from Little Wandle. 

Children are taught the following in the first Autumn Term:

Autumn 1- s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, f, l

Tricky Words- is, I, the

Autumn 2- ff, ll, ss, j, v, w, x, y, z, zz, qu, ch, sh, th, ng, nk, words with /s/ added at the end

Tricky Words- as, and, as, his, her, go, no, to, into, she, he, of, we, me, be