Foundations for Phonics

We ensure our Nursery children are well prepared to begin learning grapheme-phoneme correspondences (GPCs) and blending in Reception. Little Wandle Foundations is aligned to the non-statutory guidance on Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters as well as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. We use it as part of our wider provision for Communication and Language, and Literacy. It supports children to:
 

1. Develop their phonological awareness, including rhyme, alliteration, syllables, initial and voice sounds, and oral blending.
2. Love stories and rhymes, and learn by heart a bank of familiar favourites.
3. Increase their vocabulary and confidence to talk.
4. Improve their listening and ability to take part in back-and-forth conversations.
    

We believe that the priority in Nursery should be to build the foundations for phonics for all children. Research tells us that disadvantaged children start Nursery behind their more fortunate peers.

By leaving formal phonics teaching to Reception, Foundations allows us to devote more time to working with children who need extra help to develop the skills and behaviours that underpin successful reading. This programme is taught by a qualified teacher with a wealth of experience of Early Years which further supports our children transitioning from nursery to EYFS, their first year in a primary school setting.