Literacy awards for 11 pre-schools and early years classes

The States said understanding that marks could have meaning was one of the first steps towards writing

Literacy awards have been handed to 11 pre-schools, nurseries and reception classes across the Bailiwick after they completed the Language for Literacy training programme, the States has said.

Educators had to run four or more training sessions with parents and carers sharing what they had learned and more than 250 families across Guernsey and Alderney had already taken part, the States said.

Educators were trained in five areas to help children prepare to start learning to read and write, including oral language and vocabulary, books and mark making.

A spokesperson from the States said: "Sharing books with babies and young children on a regular basis is crucial to developing a love of stories and an interest in reading for pleasure."

The spokesperson said awareness of print "helps children learn that symbols have meaning" while developing skills such as rhyme and vocabulary helps lay "the foundations for reading and writing".

Parents and carers welcomed the sessions with 90% saying they would attend future events.

The schools, pre-schools and nurseries that received the award were:

• Blanchelande College Nursery

• Bright Beginnings Nursery

• Butterflies Pre-school

• Elizabeth College Pre-school

• La Mare de Carteret Primary – Reception Classes

• Monkey Puzzle – Les Cotils

• St Anne’s School – Reception Class (Alderney)

• St Anne’s Pre-school (Alderney)

• Vale Primary – Reception Classes

• Willow Nursery

• Woodlands Nursery