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01434 239069
Early Years Tutoring
Phonics, Number and School Readiness
The foundations of reading, writing and number that children build in Reception and Year 1 shape everything that follows. Children who develop strong early phonics and number skills arrive at KS1 and KS2 with significantly more confidence and less to catch up. NLG Early Years tutors are experienced with very young learners and use a patient, playful, multisensory approach that makes learning feel enjoyable. Whether your child needs phonics foundations in Reception, early number support in Year 1, or help building school readiness before they start, NLG has the right specialist.
Why Parents Search for an Early Years Tutor
These are the situations parents describe when they come to NLG for Early Years support. The earlier these foundations are built, the easier every subsequent year becomes.
What Does Early Years Tutoring Cover at NLG?
Sessions are adapted to each child's specific stage and delivered in short, varied activity blocks that hold the attention of young learners.
Early Years tutoring builds directly into NLG's KS1 tutoring programme for Years 1 and 2. Many families continue from Early Years support into KS1 with the same tutor, maintaining the relationship and building on the foundations already laid. Visit our Primary Years 1 and 2 page for what follows.
Real Answers About Early Years Tutoring
Yes, when delivered by an experienced Early Years specialist. NLG Early Years tutors are trained in how young children learn and adapt sessions accordingly. Sessions use short activity blocks of 5 to 8 minutes with frequent changes, visual resources, games, songs and interactive digital tools.
Most children aged 4 to 6 adapt quickly to 1:1 online learning and enjoy the focused individual attention. For younger children, parents are welcome to sit nearby and the tutor will guide how involved to be as the child settles in over the first few sessions.
Schools do not expect children to arrive at Reception knowing how to read or write. What makes the biggest difference is: being able to listen and follow simple instructions, having a basic awareness of sounds and rhymes, being able to count to 10 with understanding, being comfortable holding a pencil, and having the confidence to try new things.
NLG school readiness sessions build exactly these foundations in a way that is enjoyable and confidence-building for young children. Starting school with these skills in place makes settling in significantly easier.
NLG Early Years tutors follow a systematic phonics approach starting from Phase 1 and building through to Phase 3 at the child's own pace. Sessions use multisensory activities that engage sight, sound and movement together to help sounds stick.
Crucially, tutors also provide parents with simple, practical guidance on how to reinforce phonics at home between sessions through reading, songs and play. The combination of weekly specialist sessions and consistent home practice produces the fastest phonics progress.
The single most effective thing parents can do at home is read aloud to and with their child every day. Ten to fifteen minutes of daily reading practice alongside weekly tutoring sessions produces the fastest improvement in phonics, vocabulary and comprehension at this age.
NLG Early Years tutors give parents practical, specific guidance between sessions including recommended book levels, phonics games and counting activities that fit naturally into daily routines. You do not need specialist knowledge, just consistency and enthusiasm.
Early Years Tutoring Format and Pricing
All Early Years sessions are delivered online by specialist tutors experienced with Reception and Year 1 learners via Zoom with interactive digital tools.
From Enquiry to First Early Years Session
Most Early Years students are matched with a specialist and have their first session within a week of enquiring.
Children Who Started Where Yours Is Now
"Our daughter was really behind with phonics in Reception and losing confidence fast. Her NLG Early Years tutor made sessions feel like a game. Within 2 months she was reading her first decodable books independently and asking us for more. The change in her was remarkable."
"We started NLG school readiness sessions 3 months before our son started Reception. His tutor built his phonics awareness, counting and confidence beautifully. His first term at school was so much smoother than we expected."
Early Years Tutoring FAQs
The questions parents ask most about Early Years tutoring at NLG.
NLG Early Years 1:1 tutoring costs £38 per 40-minute session. The first lesson is just £1. Upfront blocks: 5 lessons £90, 10 lessons £160, 15 lessons £210. View full pricing.
Yes. NLG Early Years tutors use short activity blocks, visual resources, games and interactive tools that hold young children's attention. Most children aged 4 to 6 adapt quickly and enjoy the focused individual attention. Parents are welcome nearby in early sessions for reassurance.
Phonics foundations, early reading, early number and counting, basic writing and mark-making, school readiness skills and confidence building. Sessions are adapted to each child's specific stage and pace.
Yes. NLG Early Years tutors identify exactly which phonics sounds and blending skills your child needs and build them systematically using multisensory approaches. Most children show real progress within a few weeks of consistent support.
Reception through to Year 1, ages 4 to 6. For Years 1 and 2, see our KS1 tutoring page. For older primary children, KS2 tutoring is available from Year 3.
Yes, and for very young children this is often helpful in the early sessions. NLG Early Years tutors guide parents on how involved to be as the child settles in, with the aim of building an independent and enjoyable tutor relationship over time.
Sessions use short activity blocks of 5 to 8 minutes, frequent task changes, visual resources, games, songs and interactive digital tools. NLG Early Years tutors adapt the pace in real time based on the child's engagement and energy.
Yes. School readiness sessions build phonics awareness, basic counting, listening skills and the confidence to participate. Starting Reception with these foundations in place makes settling in significantly easier.
One session per week alongside consistent home reading practice produces meaningful progress within 6 to 8 weeks for most Early Years children. The first session is diagnostic and the tutor will advise on frequency based on your child's specific needs.
Yes. NLG Early Years tutors give parents practical guidance including recommended book levels, phonics games and counting activities. Ten to fifteen minutes of daily reading with your child alongside weekly sessions produces the fastest progress.
Early Years focuses on pre-reading and pre-numeracy foundations in a more play-based way. KS1 tutoring builds on these with more structured phonics, reading comprehension and Maths. Many families continue from Early Years into KS1 with the same tutor. Visit our KS1 page for more detail.
Yes. The first lesson is just £1. No commitment, no contracts. Book here.
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