The development of literacy skills plays an important role in all learning. Beyond the functional level, literacy also plays a vital role in helping our children develop into socially engaged citizens. Being able to read and write aids children in keeping up with current events, communicating effectively and understanding the issues that are shaping our world.

Within Nursery the children have many opportunities to develop early literacy skills in meaningful contexts. The children might begin to make marks on paper with paint, chalk or other mark making materials, indicating that they are becoming aware that print has meaning or perhaps they might take on an imaginative role in the Home Corner, highlighting their ability to begin to recall experiences which can help to build early story telling skills. Equally they become confident enough to share their ideas for an imaginative game with others and by talking about these, our children are beginning to build a foundation for reading and writing.

Books are everywhere within our setting and the team encourage and nurture a love of books. Whether the children explore different characters in stories or begin to ‘play’ with the patterns of language in books, it is important for the children to explore a range of books and texts in English, home languages and other languages from around the world.