Teaching Strong Foundations in Writing - EY
Summary
Overview
Follow the journey from sensory mark making to writing a series of simple sentences with accuracy and ease. This is essential CPD for Nursery and Reception Early Years teachers and Leaders of Early Years or English.
Attendees will:
1) Secure a clear understanding of the most recent research underpinning best practice in early writing
2) Develop a thorough, lasting, step-by-step approach through a progression in writing with high expectations
3) Deconstruct the act of writing for tailored activities, with a clear focus on language for learning and the physical act of becoming a writer
4) Reflect on the many ways writing can be developed through high-quality formal and informal EYFS provision
5) Use a strategic framework for writing development across the EYFS
6) Apply simple and effective best practice principles in classrooms straight away
7) Achieve notable progress through a structured, engaging, language-rich approach
Each session will include:
1) A combination of subject knowledge and a strong pedagogical element for instant practical application
2) Intrinsic links to phonics programmes
3) Networking and shared examples
4) Worked examples and case studies of the Early Years writing process in action
5) Gap tasks to develop practice and develop new ideas
Evidence based publications referenced throughout this programme:
Strong Foundations in the First Years of School (Ofsted, 2024)
The Writing Framework (DfE, 2025)
Course Content:
Session 1: Creative composition through high-quality interactions, adult as scribe and structured, meaningful talk activities, terrific transcription from big moves to accurately formed letters
Gap task: Trial at least 1 new compositional and 1 transcriptional activity, to evaluate in session 2
Session 2: Successful scaffolding through simple and highly effective shared and guided writing approaches
Session 3: Further develop shared and guided writing through video coaching. Improve early years authorship through active, independent writing.
Gap task: Video an example of your teaching of shared and guided writing to analyse and evaluate in session 4
Session 4: Planning for progression. Creating a structured, systematic plan for long-term engagement in writing through a holistic and immersive approach.
When completing this booking form, you will be booked onto all four training dates as below. (The booking confirmation will only show the date for session 1)
Session Dates:
Session 1: Monday 12th October 2026, 9am - 3pm, NSPCC
Session 2: Thursday 19th November 2026, 1pm - 4pm, NSPCC
Session 3: Tuesday 2nd February 2027, 8.45am - 11.45am, NSPCC
Session 4: Monday 15th March 2027, 1pm - 4pm, NSPCC
Recommended for
Nursery and Reception teachers (who are second year ECTs and beyond) and Early Years or English leads who have not attended this course before. This course is also appropriate for Special School English Leads and Special School Teachers.
Venue
NSPCC National Training Centre, 3 Gilmour Close, Leicester LE4 1EZ
Cost
Free for Leicester City maintained schools. £395 for non-maintained city schools and all Leicestershire schools.
Further Information
For further information, visit the PDL Website or contact beth.dixon@sdsa.net
