Phonics has been regarded as the most effective method of developing language and literacy skills for many years now. Children are taught the sounds first, then how to match them to letters, and finally how to use the letter sounds for reading and spelling. This can work alongside other reading strategies including Synthetic Phonics, which refers to 'synthesising', or blending, the sounds to read words. It's based on the idea that children should sound out unknown words and not rely on their context.

This course will ensure that all staff are fully aware of the phonic process, how to use it with the children they work with, and practical strategies and techniques to ensure they provide the best possible phonics provision.

The learning objectives for this course are as follows:

1. To consider what phonics is and why we teach and encourage phonics in the early years
2. To review current EYFS guidance and related pedagogy, looking at the Jim Rose report
3. To review the three stages of phonics
4. To consider all the different phases of phonics
5. To understand how phonics influence and enable children to become confident readers and writers
6. To know what phonics awareness enables young children to do

This course ensures your practice is in line with the requirements of the Childcare Act 2006 (the Act), as amended by the Children and Families Act 2014. It will also support your continuous professional development and enable you to keep well informed and up-to-date with current practice.

Should you wish to discuss your training needs based on the children in your care, please call 0800 774 787.