Why Foundational
Learning Matters
A child who cannot read fluently by the end of Grade 3 faces a compounding disadvantage. At FirstSteps, children receive the right instruction, delivered consistently by well trained teachers, the vast majority of them will learn to read fluently and think mathematically.
How We Teach Reading
Our reading programme is grounded in the science of reading. Every child receives a structured literacy session every school day, following a consistent routine
Phonics Review
Revisit previously learned letter sounds to strengthen recall.
New Sound Instruction
Teach new sounds and decoding patterns with clear guidance and immediate correction.
Guided Reading
Children read aloud daily using levelled texts to build speed, accuracy, and confidence.
Spelling and Writing
Dictation and sentence writing help connect reading with writing.
Daily Assessment
Teachers listen to each child read and track fluency to guide next steps.
Structured Routine
A consistent daily flow ensures steady progress and helps teachers respond to each child’s needs.
How We Teach
Mathematics
Our numeracy programme follows a concrete, pictorial, abstract progression. Children use physical objects to explore number relationships, then draw representations, then work with numbers and symbols. By the time children encounter abstract mathematics, they understand what the symbols mean because they have built that understanding through experience.
Alongside conceptual understanding, we build procedural fluency through daily structured practice embedded in meaningful problem solving.
Our Results
Data from the Learning Without Limits network shows steady progress when structured teaching is applied well.
Average reading fluency growth in one academic year
Students able to decode simple words
Students reading at grade level
What This Means
When teaching is structured, teachers are well prepared, and progress is tracked, children learn to read.
Our Full Approach to Reading and Mathematics (PDF)