When do I start?

There is clear guidance in the documents ‘Application of phonics to reading’ and ‘Reception assessment guidance’ to support teachers to get going with reading in Reception as soon as the children can blend graphemes independently.

Use wordless books to establish book behaviours, book talk and to grow vocabulary with small groups of children, who aren't blending. Ensure all children who are not yet blending get additional blending practice in this session.

From week 3 or 4 onwards, some children in Reception will be ready to practise reading books before the first assessment. Do not hold them back. Children who are blending confidently can read books with the graphemes s a t p i n m d, but with no tricky words.

Children who are not blending by week 3 need 10 minutes of additional blending practice every day – see the ‘Individual and group Keep-up teacher’s guide’ for Reception.