Learning to read

[Shehasadiamondinthesky]

Just wondered when children are taught to read now. When I was at school in the 60s we were were taught at 4 in year one. I could read at 4 years old as could my classmates. Normal state school.
Do they start as soon as they begin school or later? Asking for a reason. Sis thinking about coming back to UK.

Taught at 4, my DD is 4 and reading and writing but I think there's a big variation in early years and the teachers v good at accommodating.

Phonics start in preschool and Reception (Foundation stage) in England, so 4 ish.

they sometimes do a very few letters in preschool but generally the reception year at school starts assuming zero knowledge. typically at that age you get all sorts, from kids who don't recognise a single letter to kids who can read moderately fluently.

The national curriculum starts teaching reading in Reception and by the end of that year an average child will be able to read simple books using phonics.

Some children will be introduced to phonics in preschool if ready.

In year 1 children are aged 5 and 6.

In my DD’s school they were taught phonics and blending in nursery (aged 3 and 4), a few children could independently read very simple sentences eg dad has a red hat but most learnt to read in reception (aged 4 and 5 yrs olds). This was all during ‘covid times’.