How do we get Nursery children ready for Reception?

Focus firstly on Foundations for Phonics to be clear about what we want all our children to leave Nursery being able to do. Developing the following skills sets children up brilliantly for Reception: 

• knowing the picture cards (but NOT the graphemes) for all Phase 2 GPCs
• identifying and suggesting rhyming words
• being able to identify the initial sounds of words
• recognising alliterative phrases
• orally blending CVC words
• clapping syllables in one and two syllable words.

So how can we make sure that children are able to do these things before they head off to Reception? 

A minimum of three Tuning into sounds sessions every week:

• in small groups
• following the session template.

Daily Rhyme time:  

• to whole class or small groups
• using Rhyme time planning
• using weekly plan builder

Review learning using the Weekly plan builder: 

• Using your Assessment for Learning
• Add them to the weekly plan builder

Involve parents and carers:

• Rhyme sheet
•  For parents
•  presentations and handouts

Repeated practice throughout the day: 

• oral blending games
• Tuning into sounds sessions – Can you do the actions? Can you touch your ... ? What’s that noise?  

Prioritise children who need your help the most: 

Provide extra support to any children who have started in your Nursery already at a disadvantage, giving them the boost they need to start Reception at the same place as their luckier peers.