At Orion Little Stars, developing strong phonics and early writing skills is an important part of everyday learning, alongside plenty of fun and play. The children work hard to build the foundations they need for confident reading and writing, through carefully planned activities that are engaging, practical, and age appropriate.

Phonics sessions help the children to recognise sounds, begin to blend them together, and develop early listening and speaking skills. These sessions are delivered in a playful and supportive way, ensuring children remain motivated and excited to learn while building essential academic skills.

Early writing is encouraged through a wide range of activities, including mark making, drawing, painting, and guided writing tasks. The children are supported to hold pens and pencils correctly, and many have shown great progress using a tripod grip, helping to strengthen fine motor control and prepare them for future writing. Opportunities to write are woven naturally into play, allowing children to practise in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

Name recognition is another key focus at Orion Little Stars. Through the self-registration system, children are encouraged to identify and recognise their own names each day, building confidence, independence, and early literacy skills. This routine supports a sense of belonging while reinforcing letter recognition and personal achievement.

At Orion Little Stars, learning is both academic and enjoyable. By combining structured phonics and early writing practice with creative, hands-on experiences, the setting provides a balanced approach that supports each child’s development and prepares them for the next stage of their learning journey.