Oxford Reading Tree and Reception

[ninani]

I was following a discussion on another section of mumsnet where I could not log in. So I am posting this here.

From what I have been reading, it seems that most or many schools teach reading from the Oxford Reading Tree (ORT). Or am I wrong? We were thinking of buying a set for our son -the first 5 levels at a bargain price- before he starts Reception since he has recently started reading. Do you think it's not worth it if they teach the same at school? Should we buy him something else instead? What other book choices are there? I really don't know what the schools teach here, maybe not the ORT. If you think it's ok, do you think we should buy him more than the first 5 levels from this series?

Also how do you know when a child has reached a level? When they can read fluently? Understand all the words?

Thank you in advance! You have all been very helpful here

A third vote for reading chest. We do this at home to compensate for the dire Ginn books at school. DS1 likes Collins Big Cat Phonics and Floppy's Phonics best (ORT phonic scheme). He hasn't enjoyed the Rigby Star phonics very much, but he quite liked the Rag Tag Rhymes.

I found the the Ruth Miskin Read Write early books great for getting started at home pre reception (book people have a great deal on them at the moment), and mixed in some oxford songbirds and lady bird phonics. The Miskin ones are very phonic focussed, which I think is v helpful in the early blending phase, and as funny as can feasibly be managed at that stage of reading.

I am not keen on ORT. I brought a VFR set for ds before he started reception. I would be interested in other peoples opinion of these. My ds enjoyed them but only really got reading once he started reading in reception.

The are nice stories

They