Reading Schools ELC

Celebrating the incredible work taking place in Early Learning and Childcare settings and supporting the development of further strategies, Reading Schools Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) aims to build and embed the joy of reading in the settings for children, staff and their families. 

Mapped to the 2025 Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors(this will open in a new window), we offer a route to explore what you are already doing in your setting and help you find space to further develop your practice. 

Getting started

Step 1 – Your Lead contact should set up a user account with Reading Schools and open your Action Plan. This person will be our main point of contact and will receive the information emails and accreditation feedback from us. They can invite others to collaborate from within their dashboard.

Step 2 – Your Lead contact will be sent a short survey by email. Please complete this as it will give us a baseline for the pilot.

Step 3 – Download our framework(this will open in a new window) and start to spark your ideas.

Step 4 – Join Scottish Book Trust’s MSTeam,(this will open in a new window) a private network of learning professionals across Scotland.

Step 5 – Sign up for Introduction sessions and/or complete the E-learning Module – Introduction to Reading Schools ELC. Links will be sent to you by email once you are registered.

The Quality Improvement Framework indicators and Reading Schools ELC

1. Leadership

Staff lead by example, sharing their love of reading and deepening their knowledge of children’s literature. They reflect on their practice, engage in professional learning and track the impact of their efforts.

When staff are readers, children become readers too.

2. Children thrive in quality spaces

Reading is visible and valued in every corner of the setting. From cosy book nooks to outdoor libraries, children are surrounded by stories, songs, and rhymes. National events and author visits bring books to life.

A reading-rich environment invites curiosity, comfort, and connection.

3. Children play and learn

Children explore books through play, art and conversation. They recommend stories to peers, lead book projects and respond creatively to what they read. Staff support this with responsive, child-led interactions.

Reading becomes part of how children express, imagine, and grow.

4. Children are supported to achieve

Families are partners in the reading journey. Leadership groups include children and adults alike. Progress is celebrated with joy – through displays, events and shared experiences.

When families read together, children thrive together.