At Hocus Pocus Day Nursery, we understand the pivotal role parents play in their children’s early literacy development. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we have been approved for the ‘Making it Real’ project, a ground breaking initiative aimed at enhancing children’s literacy skills from the very beginning of their educational journey. As one of the few childcare providers in Bolton to receive this approval, we are excited to share the benefits of this program with our community of parents and children.
What is Making it REAL?
Making it REAL stands for Raising Early Achievement in Literacy, and it’s much more than just a program – it’s a commitment to empowering parents and caregivers to become active participants in their children’s literacy journey. Developed by Professors Cathy Nutbrown and Peter Hannon at the University of Sheffield, Making it REAL utilises the ORIM framework – Opportunities, Recognition, Interaction, and Model – to guide parents in fostering a positive early learning environment at home.
Engaging Parents in Early Literacy
Research has shown that engaging parents in their children’s early literacy development not only improves outcomes but also helps narrow the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers. At Hocus Pocus, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that starts with providing parents with the tools and support they need to become effective literacy advocates. Through a series of home visits and literacy events, our dedicated Early Years Educators will work alongside families to implement the REAL approach. By creating opportunities for meaningful interaction and modelling positive literacy behaviours, parents will gain the knowledge and confidence to support their children with reading and writing from an early age.
Supporting Children with Additional Needs
One of the most significant benefits of the Making it REAL program is its ability to support the early identification of children’s additional needs. Through increased contact with families, particularly through home visits, our practitioners are better equipped to recognise signs of developmental challenges and connect families with specialist services for further support.
The Year Two evaluation of the program revealed promising results, with 71% of practitioners reporting that Making it REAL had at least some impact on connecting children and families to other services.
Furthermore, the program facilitated the earlier identification of additional needs in siblings, highlighting its potential to address broader family issues beyond literacy.
Join Us on the Journey
At Hocus Pocus Day Nursery, we are committed to providing children with the best possible start in life, and we recognise the crucial role parents play in achieving this goal. Through the Making it REAL program, we aim to empower parents to become active participants in their children’s literacy development, laying the foundation for lifelong learning success.
Whether you’re a current parent at Hocus Pocus or considering joining our nursery community in the future, we invite you to embark on this journey with us. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of our children, one storybook at a time.
