Foundations for Phonics in EYFS

In Nursery, our pupils begin to learn how to manipulate phonics and start working at Phase 1 of our phonics scheme. They experience a range of activities exploring environmental sounds; instrumental sounds rhyme and rhythm, alliteration, voice sounds and oral blending and segmenting. For example, blending the phonemes (sounds) c-a-t to make cat.

During their Reception year phonics sessions become more formalised. The children, when ready, start to recognise all their letter sounds and to begin to blend and segment phonemes to read and spell simple words. The phonic sessions are fast and pacey and the children work through the scheme at the rate appropriate to them. Each child’s reading book links to the phonic phase they are working within to allow them to apply the phonic skills they have been systematically taught. A sound book is sent home to support letter recognition and simple blending and segmenting skills.

The phonic work covered in Early Years prepares the children for their continued progression within our Phonic scheme into Key Stage 1.