FOR PARENTS · RECEPTION
Reading in Reception: what happens in the first year
Phonics is taught from the start of Reception, in the order of the school's programme. By the summer, the goal is reading simple sentences and books that match the sounds taught.
How Litsee helps: illustrated stories your child steers, written for their age (5 to 11) and read aloud if you like.
Start your free trial7 days free. A card is needed to start.
Your child is starting school, and within weeks there are sounds to practise, a reading record and a book bag. This guide explains what happens with reading in Reception, from the first weeks to the end-of-year report, and the small things at home that help most.
By the Litsee team · Last reviewed · About this guide
The short answer: phonics from the start, stories every day
Reception is when most children in England start learning to read. The DfE's reading framework expects that “reading, including the teaching of systematic synthetic phonics, is taught from the beginning of Reception” (DfE reading framework). Alongside phonics, children hear stories, rhymes and songs, because reading needs both: working out the words, and understanding them.
The EYFS framework, which sets out what Reception children learn, puts it first: “It is crucial for children to develop a life-long love of reading.” (DfE EYFS framework).
The first weeks: settling in and the baseline assessment
Reception children take the reception baseline assessment “within the first 6 weeks of starting reception”. It's a short, practical session with their teacher. The STA's leaflet for parents is reassuring: “It is not about judging or labelling your child or putting them under any pressure.” “Your child cannot ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ the assessment.” And: “You do not need to do anything to prepare your child for the assessment.” (STA).
It's used to measure how the school's whole year group progresses by Year 6, not to set your child's reading level. “The data from the assessment, including numerical scores, is not shared with you, pupils, teachers, schools or other external bodies.”
Phonics and the book bag
Your child will learn letter sounds in a set order, practise blending them into words and start reading short books built from the sounds they know. Each school follows its own phonics programme, so the order, the names of the stages and when books come home all vary. Ask the teacher which programme they use and whether it has a parent guide. Our guide to phonics at home explains the words schools use.
When reading books come home, there are often two kinds. The reading framework's suggested note to parents explains: “Your child will bring home two books. One is for your child to read to you. It has been carefully chosen so that they can work out all the words.” (DfE reading framework). The other book is for you to read to your child.
If your child races ahead, see our guide to being ahead in phonics.
Stories and talk: the half of reading home does best
Phonics is taught at school. Understanding grows everywhere. The EYFS framework explains: “Language comprehension (necessary for both reading and writing) starts from birth. It only develops when adults talk with children about the world around them and the books (stories and non-fiction) they read with them, and enjoy rhymes, poems and songs together.” (DfE EYFS framework).
That's why a bedtime story, a chat about the day and a silly rhyme in the car all count. They build the words and the understanding your child will need once they can decode. Our guide to reading to your child has more.
What's expected by the summer
At the end of Reception, teachers check each child against the early learning goals. For word reading, children at the expected level will:
- Say a sound for each letter in the alphabet and at least 10 digraphs.
- Read words consistent with their phonic knowledge by sound-blending.
- Read aloud simple sentences and books that are consistent with their phonic knowledge, including some common exception words.
And for comprehension, they will:
- Demonstrate understanding of what has been read to them by retelling stories and narratives using their own words and recently introduced vocabulary.
- Anticipate – where appropriate – key events in stories.
- Use and understand recently introduced vocabulary during discussions about stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems and during role-play.
(DfE EYFS framework.) These describe the end of the year, not the start. Children arrive with very different starting points, and progress isn't always steady.
The end-of-year report and “emerging”
Usually in the summer term, teachers complete the EYFS profile. For each goal, your child is either at the expected level or “emerging”. The STA's handbook says: “At the end of the EYFS, teachers must provide parents or carers with their child’s EYFS profile results and offer them the opportunity to discuss this with the teacher.” (STA).
If you see “emerging”, the same handbook is clear: “When a child has an outcome of ‘emerging’ for one or more ELGs, teachers should sensitively explain that this is a description of the child’s level of development and does not mean the child has ‘failed’.” Ask what the Year 1 teacher will be told, and what you can do at home over the summer. Our guide to report words and parents' evening decodes the rest.
A routine for home: ten minutes or less
You don't need a timetable. The DfE's tips say: “Just a few minutes a day can have a big impact on children of all ages.” (DfE). Pick one or two of these most days, and print them for the fridge; nothing on this page is saved.
Read the school book together
A story every day
Rhymes and songs
Sound spotting
Talk about the day
A quick note in the reading record
Stuck for what to write in the reading record? Our reading record comments page has ready-made ideas.
Questions parents ask
When do children start learning to read in Reception?
From the beginning. The DfE's reading framework says reading, including systematic synthetic phonics, is taught from the beginning of Reception. Schools follow their own phonics programme, so the order and pace of sounds differ between schools.
What should my child be able to read by the end of Reception?
The early learning goal for word reading says children at the expected level will say a sound for each letter and at least 10 digraphs, read words by sound-blending, and read aloud simple sentences and books that match their phonics, including some common exception words.
What is the reception baseline assessment?
A short assessment in the first six weeks of Reception. The STA says it isn't about judging or labelling your child, they can't pass or fail it, and you don't need to prepare them. Its scores aren't shared with parents or the school.
What does 'emerging' mean on my child's Reception report?
That your child isn't yet at the expected level for that early learning goal. The STA's handbook says teachers should explain that it describes your child's development and doesn't mean they've failed. Ask what will help in Year 1.
Sources
- Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework for group and school-based providers Department for Education, dated 13 July 2026, effective 1 September 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- Early years foundation stage profile handbook Standards and Testing Agency, updated 17 September 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- Reception baseline assessment: information for parents Standards and Testing Agency, 15 September 2025, checked 3 November 2026
- The reading framework Department for Education, July 2023, updated 22 September 2023, checked 3 November 2026
- 10 top tips for parents to support children to read Department for Education, 16 July 2020, updated 25 April 2022, checked 3 November 2026
About this guide
Written by the Litsee team and checked line by line against the sources listed on this page.
The home routine is our own suggestion. Each school follows its own phonics programme, so your child's teacher is the best guide to what they're learning and when.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Email info@litsee.com and we will fix it. Last reviewed: .
Stories to share from the first term
In Litsee your child picks the hero and decides what happens next, in an illustrated story read aloud.
Start your free trialA card is needed to start the trial, and nothing is charged if you cancel before it ends. See plans and pricing