The Early Childhood Unit at the National Children's Bureau (NCB) is delighted to have been successful in securing support from the Sutton Trust and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, for the REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) project.
One of six projects to have won backing from the new Parental Engagement Fund, this will allow highly promising early literacy work with children and families in Oldham to develop further in partnership with the Oldham early years team.
Oldham and NCB have worked together since 2009 and schools are seeing positive changes in levels of children's literacy achievement and parents' confidence in supporting their children's learning. The project's focus on home visits has also led to raised levels of early intervention for children and their younger siblings, and greater connection with support services for families.
Building on the evidence base established by the original REAL project led by Professors Cathy Nutbrown and Peter Hannon at the University of Sheffield, the funding provides a welcome opportunity to explore and develop the most effective elements of the REAL literacy programme.
Joyce Connor, Director of the Early Childhood Unit at NCB, said:
'Parents are the first and most important educators of their children, and the REAL programme harnesses their potential to play an active role. This funding will enable us to continue work within Oldham's diverse community, so that children start school having made important steps forward in literacy development.'