Early Reading and Phonics

Reading is at the heart of our Early Years. Children hear stories, poems, songs and rhymes every day. Repeated reading helps them join in, retell, notice language and build understanding. Our reading spine has been chosen to broaden vocabulary, develop knowledge and reflect different lives, communities and experiences.

We use Read Write Inc. Phonics to teach early reading systematically. Children learn to hear and say sounds, recognise the letters that represent them, blend sounds to read words and segment sounds for spelling. Books are matched to children’s developing phonic knowledge so that they can practise successfully and build fluency.

Early Writing

Writing begins with movement, communication and meaning. Children strengthen their shoulders, arms, hands and fingers; develop language through stories and play; draw and make marks; and learn that writing communicates a message.

We use Pathways to Write to enhance our teaching. High-quality texts provide a meaningful starting point for talk, oral rehearsal, vocabulary, role play, drawing and composition. Children progress from purposeful mark-making and name writing to forming letters, recording sounds, writing words, composing captions and writing simple sentences.

Early Mathematics

Our mathematics curriculum develops deep understanding of early number and pattern. Children learn through practical experiences, mathematical talk, direct teaching, songs, stories, games and carefully planned provision.

We use Number Sense Maths to enhance teaching and learning. Children develop secure counting, subitising, cardinality, comparison, composition and recall. They also explore shape, space, measure and pattern in everyday contexts. Adults encourage children to notice, explain, represent and reason rather than simply recite number names.