Course Detail

Sound Start Bolton: Strengthening our Pre-phonics Practice | 3rd December 2025 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm

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  • SKU: Sound Start Bolton: Strengthening our Pre-phonics Practice | 3th December 2025 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm
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Description

Sound Start Bolton is a collaborative pre-phonics network event designed to reflect, celebrate, and strengthen our collective practice across Bolton’s early years settings.

Following Emma Spiers, The Learning Lady's inspiring input at the Get Bolton Reading events, this session will build on the message that phonics is a marathon, not a sprint. Before introducing letters and sounds, children need time and opportunity to tune their ears, eyes, mouth, and brain to support developing the deep pre-phonics foundations that underpin later reading success.

With EYFSP data showing that only 72% achieve the Word Reading ELG and 67% Listening and Attention, this event provides a timely opportunity to reflect and act as we near the end of the first half-term.

Network aims

Participants will:

  • Share examples of pre-phonics success from across Bolton, including Super Sounds and a range of other pre-phonics approaches.
  • Explore how daily practice and adult-led activities support children’s listening, attention, sound discrimination, and memory.
  • Discuss simple and effective ways to track children’s progress and identify or overcome barriers early.
  • Share ideas for engaging parents in sound play, songs, stories and communication-rich experiences at home.
  • Hear directly from settings sharing their own journeys, followed by a Q&A and professional discussion to inspire next steps.

Resources

Resources for attendees to include:

  • Core book list
  • Core songs list
  • Developmental milestones and skills progression map

Who should attend?

This network is suitable for:

  • Early Years Practitioners and Teachers
  • Nursery and Preschool Leaders
  • Childminders
  • 2 Year Old Leads

Whether you’re already embedding pre-phonics principles or just beginning your journey, Sound Start Bolton offers practical inspiration, peer learning, and professional support to ensure every child is ready to listen, speak, and learn with confidence.

Key Messages

  • Pre-phonics isn’t just the beginning of reading — it’s the foundation of communication, confidence, and curiosity.
  • Let’s keep the momentum going and ensure every child in Bolton gets the Sound Start they deserve.

 

Delivered by: Bolton Start Well, Quality and Outcomes Team

 

Booking Arrangements

E-mail to: StartWellBookings@bolton.gov.uk if you need assistance when booking online.

Commitments and Cancellations

In order to maintain best value, we need to run this course on a maximum occupancy basis. If your place is confirmed but you are unable to attend, please send an alternative representative or cancel your place in writing by e-mailing: StartWellBookings@bolton.gov.uk with a minimum of 24 hours' notice.

An administration fee of £25 per person will be charged for the non-attendance of any individual following an online or confirmed telephone booking. These fees will be waived if you send a replacement attendee from your setting to take up your place.

Bolton Start Well operates on a not-for-profit basis. Our focus is to achieve positive meaningful outcomes. Any surplus income is reinvested to maintain and improve the quality of our services and customer care.

Disclaimer

If for any reason we have to cancel or postpone training, we will notify all delegates booked onto the workshop as quickly as possible.