Literacy

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Phonological Awareness

Sounds, syllables and songs! Phonological awareness is being able to hear and distinguish sounds in words and sentences such as rhyme and alliteration. This is an auditory skill; what you can hear, not what you can see and read. Phonological awareness is not the same as ‘phonics’ which is the sound of a letter, for…
Homemade Pancakes

Perfect pancakes made easy! Cooking pancakes is a great activity to encourage lots of talking with your child! New words you can introduce: What you need: Allergy Disclaimer: Always check the label of each ingredient for allergy warnings What to do: Recipe Source: Delia Smith, BBC Food – Kid’s Pancake Recipes Top tips:
A Christmas Adventure

Merry and bright delight! The weeks leading up to, and during, Christmas can get very hectic. There is lots you can do with your little one to ensure you have quality time together this season with some magical moments! Top tips: Leading up to Christmas During and after Christmas
A Halloween Journey

Spells, stories and scribbles! Did you know there are four strands to supporting your child’s Early Literacy? These are: For young children, Halloween can provide multiple opportunities for learning and development in all of these strands! Top tips: Create a Halloween Story Map to develop your child’s early writing skills: A story map is a…
Going to the Seaside

We do like to be beside the seaside! For young children, a trip to the seaside can provide opportunities for learning and development as part of the The Prime Areas of Learning – TLC. All the new experiences that come with a visit to the beach support your child’s personal, social and emotional development, helping…
The Worrysaurus

Introducing an exciting project! Essex County Council are working with Early Years professionals to strengthen a child’s transition from their Early Years setting to Primary School. We are starting a very exciting project called The Worrysaurus campaign, where every school and setting will receive the story book The Worrysaurus which explores emotions! The idea is…
Talk, Listen, Cuddle Number Rhyme Cards

Research shows that children who know 8 nursery rhymes by heart at age 4, are likely to be more confident at spelling and reading by age 8! To celebrate the Essex Year of Numbers we designed new rhyme cards! There are 5 rhymes that are all based around numbers – you might notice some of…
Talk, Listen, Cuddle Counting Book

Count along with me, what can you see? To celebrate the Essex Year of Numbers, we created a counting and rhyming book all about numbers and shapes! The rhyming sentences not only make the book fun, they will help your child develop new vocabulary and building longer sentences. It is the perfect size for your…
Exploring Books

Little readers, big adventures! Explore books with your baby or child every day if you can; this is a special time where you can have have a shared moment of interest. Babies love hearing you read even if they don’t understand the story! Children often enjoy hearing the same book over and over again; this…
Home-Start Colchester, Jaywick and Clacton

Home-Start is a family support service. About Home-Start Colchester, Jaywick and Clacton Starting in the home, the Home-Start approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. No judgement, it is just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. Across the North East Essex quadrant there are two independent Home-Start charities both rooted into the local communities…
Home-Start Harwich

Home-Start is a family support service. About Home-Start Harwich Starting in the home, the Home-Start approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. No judgement, it is just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. Across the North-East Essex quadrant there are two independent Home-Start charities both rooted into the local communities they service. Home-Start Harwich…
Home-Start Essex

Home-Start is a family support service. About Home-Start Essex Home-Start Essex aims to give children the best possible start in life by supporting parents and caregivers to feel less isolated, to build their confidence in themselves and their parenting and to find ways to manage the challenges they face. We build trusting, helpful relationships with…
Essex ActivAte Holiday Programme

Fun filled holidays! Funded by Department for Education and Essex County Council, Essex ActivAte is the name for the Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) run by Active Essex across Essex and Thurrock. The programme offers engaging holiday clubs and free activities run by local club providers, and free spaces are offered to children and…
Read and Count With Me By the Sea

We planned something exciting during the Essex Year of Numbers! In Summer 2024, we worked in partnership with Essex Libraries, Active Essex, Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service and Home-Start Harwich to bring you ‘Read and Count With Me By the Sea’ borrow bags. The bags included sea themed story books and a beach themed…
Childcare Funding

Childcare funding and support available in Essex Funded Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) FEEE is for eligible working families from the term after a child turns 9-months-old until statutory school age. The number of FEEE hours that working families are eligible for depends on the age of their child and their circumstances. Currently, eligible working parents/carers…

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