Nursery World - Phonics urged as remedy for early literacy delay

Phonics should be taught by all early years providers and schools and children's progress in developing phonic knowledge and skills should be regularly assessed, according to a new report from Ofsted.

Removing barriers to literacy says that poor development of speaking and listening skills at an early age is holding children back from learning to read and write.

The report says the best early years providers and primary schools understood the need to teach phonics rigorously and systematically and the importance of regular practice in reading.

The coalition Government has committed itself to promoting systematic synthetic phonics in schools, and a reading test for all children at the age of six will be piloted from June. A report by Ofsted in November called phonics an 'indispensable tool' that should be used to teach children how to read by age six (News, 17 November).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included