School Readiness: Reading from Day 1 at Nursery

Storytelling and reading are a huge part of nursery life at YMCA Fairthorne Group.

Across all our nurseries, we enjoy weekly stories and book-based activities that encourage a love of reading, develop communication and language skills, and help children build the confidence they need for their next steps into school. Our weekly books is used to inspire messy play, creative activities, and makaton signs. Focusing on a dedicated story gives children opportunities to revisit ideas, and bring their learning to life through play.

Shared Storytime

We carefully select books that capture children’s imaginations and spark conversations, helping them to expand their vocabulary and understanding of the world around them. Through shared reading, children learn important early literacy skills such as listening, comprehension and turn-taking.

Makaton

To ensure every child can fully engage in our stories, we link many of our books with Makaton signs. This inclusive approach supports communication, helps children express themselves, and enables all learners to participate and enjoy story time together.

By fostering a love of books from an early age, we are helping children develop the communication, confidence and curiosity that are key foundations for school readiness.

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