Reading is a high priority across the Early Years, with phonics and a love of books forming the foundation of our literacy curriculum. The reading curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure children develop the skills and confidence to become fluent, independent readers by the end of Reception.

Systematic synthetic phonics is taught through the Little Wandle programme, which is delivered with fidelity across Nursery and Reception. In Nursery, children are introduced to Phase 1 through structured listening and sound discrimination activities, laying essential foundations for phonics in Reception. In Reception, phonics is taught daily, following a clear progression. Children revisit and consolidate their knowledge regularly to ensure long-term retention. Phonically decodable books are carefully matched to each child’s secure knowledge, enabling them to read independently and successfully.

Alongside phonics, children are immersed in a language-rich environment where high-quality texts are central to provision. Story time, shared reading and group discussion are integral parts of the daily routine. Books are purposefully selected and sequenced to support the wider curriculum, reinforce key themes, and expose children to rich and varied vocabulary. Adults model reading with fluency and expression and engage children in meaningful dialogue around texts to develop comprehension and language.

This combined approach ensures that children not only develop the technical skills to read but also the motivation and enjoyment that comes with it. As a result, by the end of Reception, the majority of children read simple sentences fluently and show strong early comprehension skills, well-prepared for the demands of Key Stage 1.