'I'd definitely recommend the classes'

'My children are more on the quiet, shy side,' explains Lisa, a mum of three and a regular at Learn to Love to Read's pre-school sessions.

The sessions of sounds, songs and stories give parents the confidence and skills to support their child's early literacy.

'For them to understand what they were being taught at nursery, to already know it a bit, it really helped with settling in,' says Lisa.

'My oldest, Ari, hardly spoke to anyone for the first term and a half. Knowing some of the sounds from the classes made her feel confident. I think without it she would have been completely thrown.'

Lisa also found the class helpful for herself.

'As a parent learning to understand phonics, it's just a totally different world. Honestly, when you first start, it's like "what is this!?" I don’t know how people cope without having some foundations. But the classes give you a heads up about what you're getting into. They really are very helpful.'

The social side of the class was good for both Lisa and her children.

'It was good for Ari to meet other children, to socialise in a small group.' She took her youngest, Arthur, to the class as well and was pleased that he was always included. 

'He's given his own sticker, they always welcome him at the beginning and say goodbye at the end.

'And I enjoy seeing other mums and having fun with them. Especially with not being at work, you do get a bit lonely sometimes, and you go to the session where everyone is so welcoming, it feels like the kind of place where you can get to know people.'

All in all, Lisa's very happy that she went along. 'I'd definitely recommend them, they’ve been really good for all of us.'