In this week’s update, we’re focusing on support for our youngest students. For early learners, primary school is a formative experience and any time out can be particularly challenging for young children. We’re here to help keep critical learning on track to mitigate the risk of falling behind and ease the load a little for parents too.
Solutions to keep children occupied
Our programme of creative services is designed to keep your children busy, while you’re busy. Through a range of engaging – and educational – online activities, we can solve your childcare challenges and introduce your family to new skills and interests at the same time. With special rates across a variety of disciplines, our creative sessions will help you take control of your daily routine.
Reading
Our online storytime brings books to life and gets children working together as they act out their favourite parts in these immersive group sessions.
Music
We have tutors accomplished in both singing and a wide range of instruments, ready to set a new tempo for life at home.
Arts and crafts
Our tutors are skilled across the arts, offering everything from creative writing to creative expression.
Support for the critical early years
The early years of a child’s education are some of the most important, as Years 1 to 3 see children make the biggest leaps in literacy and numeracy. And although GCSE and A-level students are grabbing the headlines at the moment, it could be the five- to seven-year-olds who really feel the impact of school closures in years to come.
If you have a recent school starter at home, we can help you develop a routine that focuses on core reading and maths skills. Our online sessions are carefully tailored to keep young minds engaged, ensuring children stay on track through these crucial months.
Effective and engaging group sessions
Children aren’t just facing the challenge of missed material – the social contact and stimulation that comes from a shared learning environment is difficult to recreate at home.
While some schools are running big online sessions, the large class sizes and hit-and-miss connectivity are proving problematic. That’s why we’re offering smaller, targeted group sessions that support shared studies in the most engaging and effective way. And thanks to Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts and our own digital classroom software, it’s like we’re right there with you.
Each session is completely bespoke; we can work with families you know, or invite your child to an appropriate session for their age and ability. Group sessions can also be a great way to keep all your children occupied at once, allowing you to make that conference call or catch up on emails in peace.
Books to beat lockdown boredom
Each week, we’ll be sharing our favourite books to help keep children entertained – and learning at the same time. Our first list features stories for Years 1 to 3, with suggestions for older years to come over the next few weeks.
Year 1
Cinnamon by Neil Gaiman
I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt
Cops and Robbers by Allan Ahlberg
The Emperor of Absurdia by Chris Riddell
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
Year 2
I Was a Rat! Or, The Scarlet Slippers by Philip Pullman
Triangle by Mac Barnett
Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat by Ursula Moray Williams
Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr
The Tear Thief by Carol Ann Duffy
Year 3
The Accidental Prime Minister by Tom McLaughlin
Varjak Paw by SF Said
The Orchard Book of First Greek Myths by Saviour Pirotta
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
