Each week, you can access a Rhyme Town pre-reading and pre-writing scheme lesson pack, which includes a lesson plan for 5 pre-reading and 5 pre-writing lessons, a weekly presentation to guide you through the sessions, and all the necessary EYFS phonics resources. This structured approach supports both Nursery and Reception literacy development, helping children build essential early reading and writing skills.
Designed for both newly qualified and experienced teachers, Rhyme Town provides clear, step-by-step guidance to ensure confidence in delivering Letters and Sounds Phase 1 activities.
The Rhyme Town pre-reading and pre-writing programme runs for 14 weeks, but it can be revisited throughout the year to reinforce key early phonics and handwriting skills. It is ideal for the first term of Reception or as an intervention programme for older children needing additional support with Phase 1 phonics and early writing readiness.
Download our handy Rhyme Town progression document.
In addition to Rhyme Town, we also offer Letters and Sounds Phase 1 resources and mark-making activities to support early literacy and fine motor development. These resources can be used alongside the scheme or independently to help children build confidence in oral blending, segmenting, and handwriting skills.
Explore our full collection of Phase 1 phonics and pre-writing resources, including:
These EYFS phonics resources can be used during continuous provision, intervention sessions, or whole-class phonics teaching to support children’s early literacy journey.
The Rhyme Town pre-reading and pre-writing scheme is designed to support early literacy development in Nursery and Reception. By integrating nursery rhymes, phonemic awareness activities, and fine motor development, this structured programme helps children build essential pre-reading and early writing skills in an engaging and developmentally appropriate way.
By incorporating rhyme, rhythm, and pre-writing activities, the Rhyme Town programme lays the foundation for strong literacy skills and a love of language. Whether used in full or as part of your phonics sessions, it provides a structured yet flexible approach to early phonics teaching.
Phase One phonics is an essential part of early literacy development, focusing on speaking and listening skills, phonological awareness, and pre-reading abilities. Unlike Phase 2, which introduces individual phonics sounds, Phase 1 helps build foundational skills necessary for phonics learning.
Phase 1 phonics, as outlined in the Letters and Sounds framework, focuses on seven critical aspects:
While Phase 1 does not focus on individual phonics sounds, it lays the crucial groundwork for future phonics instruction in Phase 2 and beyond. It is part of a broad, rich language curriculum, connecting language with play, hands-on experiences, and ample exposure to books and reading materials. Through the emphasis on speaking and listening, Phase 1 creates a strong foundation for learning to read and write.
Understanding these Phase 1 phonics aspects ensures that children develop the essential skills needed before advancing to the phonics sounds taught in later phases.
