Teaching parents what to do before phonics

The Little Reading Nest is all about helping parents understand what really matters when it comes to learning to read. Drawing on my years as a Reception teacher, early reading specialist and mum, I help you make sense of what your child needs and how to support their development at home.

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Over a decade of helping little ones learn to read.
HELLO FROM THE LITTLE READING NEST

For the mums wondering if they are doing enough

Whether your child is just starting to explore books or you're wondering how to get them ready for school, The Little Reading Nest is here to help you understand how children learn to read and what you can do to support them from the very beginning.

Welcome to all the...

→ Mums of toddlers wondering what they can do to support early learning

→ Parents of pre-schoolers wanting to know what comes before phonics

→ Mums getting ready for Reception who want their child to feel confident starting school

→ Parents of little book lovers who want to nurture their child's love of reading, and more.

GET STARTED HERE

How I can help you support your child's development:

Parent Guides

Practical advice to help you understand what your child needs before phonics, support their early reading and writing, and feel more confident about getting them ready for school.

READ THEM HERE

Workshops for parents

Join me for the next free workshop and discover what your little one needs to develop the skills for early reading. Find out what we’re covering and save your spot.

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Online programmes

Explore the self-paced programmes and discover practical ways to support your child's early reading, the skills they need before phonics, learning letter sounds, and developing early writing.

TAKE A LOOK HERE
MEET THE FOUNDER

Hi, I’m Del.

Early Literacy Specialist, SENCo, and mum to a small tornado who keeps me on my toes.

I spent over a decade teaching children to read before having a little one of my own. Becoming a mum opened my eyes to just how much parents are expected to figure out for themselves when it comes to early reading.

I founded The Little Reading Nest to share what I’ve learned, helping mums of preschoolers understand what really matters before phonics and how to support their little ones at home, in ways that work for real family life.

READ MY STORY

"All parents of preschool children need this! I'm shocked at how easy all of the activities are to fit in every day life without any setup or cost. I was a little unsure on what to do, but now I feel more confident in approaching phase 1 phonics!"

"Having Del explain phase 1 phonics is like having a cuppa with your friend. Completely non-judgmental and super friendly.

It's a relief to finally find a parenting resource that doesn't portray parenting as a walk in the park and talks about parenting warts and all.

Thanks, Del, for being a friendly voice on the other end of the podcast."

"I needed this. My son is not ready for letters, and he's starting school in September. Every time I looked on TikTok or Instagram, I was made to feel like he is so behind. It was a relief to learn he is actually right where he needs to be, and now I understand what to help him with."

A trusted early literacy specialist

With over a decade of experience as an Early Years teacher and SENCo, I’m passionate about helping parents understand how children learn to read. I’ve also shared my expertise in early literacy through a range of publications and podcasts, including:

The Little Reading Nest Blog

Wondering what your little one needs before phonics? You'll find practical advice, simple activities and ideas to support their early reading, language and listening skills, all designed to fit into the everyday things you're already doing together.

What should I teach my pre-schooler before they start school?

3 Signs Your Child Is Ready to Learn Phonics

VISIT THE BLOG

Learn the 4 specific skills your child needs before phonics starts

A free online workshop for parents of preschool and nursery-aged children.

Saturday 21st November 2026
4-5pm · Online · Free

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