Phonics and Reading in EYFS

Reading is at the heart of our Foundation Stage curriculum. A robust and consistent approach to phonics teaching through a systematic synthetic phonics programme (Little Wandle Letters and Sounds), teaches children how to segment and blend words, recognise tricky words and apply taught skills. This allows them to independently read fully decodable text for most children within FS2. Children engage rapidly with the programme. Some children need further support after each teaching session and we run targeted and comprehensive 'keep up' sessions. Our literacy leaders and teachers support parents to understand how we teach reading and how they can support their child using the same strategies. We hold family sessions to support developing a love for reading and to help family members understand how we teach phonics and early reading and how best to help their child with their reading journey. 

Alongside our synthetic phonics teaching, colleagues develop children’s love of reading through reading aloud and telling stories and singing songs and learning rhymes which develop children's engagement and auditory skills. Promoting reading and a love of literature from an early age is key in our Foundation Stage and throughout a child's journey with us. We also raise the achievement of children's reading and writing rapidly by teaching literacy creatively and effectively. Our artist in residence spends time each week developing literacy and oracy through the creative arts. 

In FS2, we send home your child's phonically decodable book to read with you once they have shared this at least three times with the teacher in a small group. This support children's fluency and application and secures the letters and sounds that have been taught. Children will also choose a book of interest which they can share with you. These may be from the classroom or our library and these are books you will read to your child whilst discussing the storyline, characters or content.  

We are a Power of Reading School and draw upon the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) resources and training which ensures we have the latest literature in the classroom. High quality texts are shared with the children and promoted throughout school, so that children engage with excellent books. Click here for CLPE website