Early education and childcare

Information on under 5s provision in Reading for you and your child

This section gives you information on provision, advice and support available to you and your child in Reading, at each stage of your child’s development. Here you can find information and links to access health checks, early education, childcare and much more. Click on any of the boxes below to find out more.

Some of the links take you to our Family Information Service website and others directly to our services.

Below the boxes on this page is a detailed explanation of the Early Years Foundation Stage and answers to questions you may have, plus details on how to contact us.

Infant hub

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2 year olds

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3-4 year olds

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Under 5s with SEND

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Our nurseries

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Reading's children's centres

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Childcare

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Speech, language & communication

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We are running a new project to support babies born over the pandemic who will have missed out on opportunities to learn and socialise due to lockdown, and who may need some extra help to catch up in their development. Click the button on the right for more information.

Baby Boost

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About Early Years

The term ‘early years’ refers to a specific period of time between conception and age five. During this time young children consolidate, through play and exploration, the abilities, knowledge and skills that provide the foundation for their future progress through school and life.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is the standards for learning development and care of children from birth to 5 years. Ofsted registered childminders, pre-schools, nurseries and reception classes must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards for providers of learning, development and care for children from 0–5 years old. All schools and Ofsted registered early years providers must follow the EYFS.

It supports an integrated approach to early learning and care by giving all professionals a set of common principles and commitments to adhere to so that your child is receiving the very best early years education including arrangements in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

If you’d like to know how Ofsted inspects and reports on schools to help parents to make informed decisions about their children’s education, you can read their inspection guidance here.

You may also find it helpful to read the following documents:

UK Government OverviewAction for Children Parents Guide

Prime areas are the building blocks for all other learning. They are fundamental, work together, and move through to support development in all other areas. The three prime areas of learning are:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development

In addition to the prime areas, the setting must also support children in four specific areas once they reach the age of three years, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the world
  • Expressive arts and design

We are looking for Parent Champions!

Parent Champions are men and women who talk to local parents about their positive experience of using local services available to them.

Become a Parent Champion
man in superhero outfit with daugther on piggy back
Yes, you will need to:
  • Live in Reading
  • Have a child under five ideally who has benefitted from the 2-year-old entitlement
  • Use local services
  • Enjoy talking to other parents
  • Be able to spare 2-3 hours a week
  • Receive training in several different areas
  • Gain experience that will support you towards personal goals and employment
  • Be able to give back to your community
  • Develop confidence and transferable skills
Once you are accepted as a Parent Champion you will be given:
  • Induction and training to prepare you for your role
  • Regular support one to one or as a group
  • Essential resources including a Parent Champion handbook
  • Expenses e.g. travel costs

If you need more information or need to speak with the Early Years team, please call 0118 937 4730.

If you want to report concerns about a child or young person, email us at cspoa@brighterfuturesforchildren.org