First Steps Phonics is a family-led company with three goals:
- To engage children and introduce them to letters and sounds through a range of exciting activities, whilst also building their confidence and key skills, preparing them for school
- To support parents and carers, introducing them to strategies that can be used to support children with their learning
- To inspire children to develop a love of learning, enabling them to take the right first steps on their learning journey
Click here to book your £2 First Steps Phonics taster session today.
What was the inspiration behind First Steps Phonics?
First Steps Phonics was created by three teachers who, collectively, have over 30 years of experience of teaching children between the ages of 3-18. They each came to believe that children who excel at school usually have two factors in common:
- They are engaged and excited to learn
- They have parents or carers that support their learning
Who delivers the First Steps Phonics sessions?
Each First Steps Phonics session is developed and delivered by Claire:
‘From an early age, I loved working with children. I believe that learning should be fun.; lessons should engage children, making them excited to learn. I believe that young children learn best through play and should have lots of opportunities to move around and express themselves.
‘Having started my career as a nursery nurse, earning a NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Childcare and Education , I trained to become an Early Years teacher and completed a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) . Since qualifying as a teacher in 2010, I have worked in a variety of settings, teaching children in Nursery, Reception and Year 1 classes. I also worked as a sessional worker for Barnardo’s and as a Respite Care Provider for Carer’s Resource, giving me extensive experience of working with children who have special educational needs.
‘Throughout my teaching career, I found that I especially loved teaching children Phonics. I loved that, through introducing them to letters and sounds in a fun and interactive way, I was equipping them with skills that were the foundations for learning to read, skills that they would rely on for the rest of their lives. I also realised that parents often struggled to support their children’s learning as they didn’t understand how Phonics was taught in schools. Consequently, I decided to set up First Steps Phonics so that I could introduce parents and children to Phonics before they start school, allowing them to learn together in a fun and supportive environment, giving them both a head start.’ -Claire
Click here to find out more about Phonics, the technique used by schools to teach children to read.
The First Steps Phonics beliefs:
Education begins long before a child starts school. We are passionate about providing opportunities for children to develop the skills that they need to become ‘school ready‘. We also believe that it is essential to introduce parents and carers to the concept of Phonics, the technique used by schools to teach reading, so that they are better equipped to support children once they start school. First Steps Phonics delivers a series of interactive sessions through which Phonics is introduced to small groups of children, parents and carers in an exciting and engaging manner.
How do the First Steps Phonics sessions work?
Each First Steps Phonics session was developed by a qualified Early Years Foundation Stage teacher who is experienced in delivering Phonics effectively; 100% of the children in her class attained a ‘pass’ in their Year 1 Phonics check. During each First Steps Phonics session, children are introduced to a new ‘sound of the week‘. Through a variety of interactive and fun activities, including games, stories and singing, they learn to recognise the sound and the letter that represents it. Over time, they begin to blend letters and sounds in order to read words.
First Steps Phonics delivers several types of session:
- First Steps Phonics will visit your child’s Nursery and deliver weekly Phonics sessions.
- First Steps Phonics runs several Parent and Child sessions. Each week, you and your child are introduced to the ‘sound of the week’
- First Steps Phonics will visit your local primary school and run an After School Club to support school-aged children to make more progress with Phonics