Posted on: 14/01/2026

General Toddlers Workshops

Making it REAL has a powerful impact on both children and parents.

Making it REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) is an award-winning, research-based programme designed to support your child’s journey into the wonderful world of literacy. Developed by the National Children’s Bureau in partnership with the University of Sheffield, this programme helps families discover how everyday activities can spark a lifelong love of learning – anytime, anyplace and anywhere!

How it Works

Through a combination of fun literacy events and supportive home visits, we explore the four key strands of early literacy:

Books: Sharing books, reading stories, and encouraging a love of reading.

Early Writing: Mark-making, drawing, and emergent writing.

Environmental Print: Recognising words and letters in everyday life (signs, labels and logos).

Oral Language: Building confidence through talk, songs, and rhymes.

The Impact in Sandwell

Making it REAL has a powerful impact on both children and parents. In Sandwell, we have seen children make significant gains in their early literacy skills, while parents report feeling much more confident in supporting their child's learning at home.

Thanks to Family Hub funding, our Early Years and Childcare Services team have already:

• Trained 73 Early Years staff across Sandwell.
• Partnered with 23 Day Nurseries/Preschools and 17 Schools.
• Supported over 500 families to give their children the best start in literacy development

Real Stories from Our Families

Don't just take our word for it—come and meet some of our amazing families and practitioners. A special thank you to the families and teams from The Workplace Day Nursery and 5 Star Day Nursery for sharing their journeys with us.

Clare’s Story (Parent, The Workplace Day Nursery)

Watch Clare’s Video Clare shares how the programme helped her family bring stories to life—including building a pirate ship at home! She talks about how her child truly blossomed, gaining the confidence and skills needed for a brilliant start to school.

Tina’s Perspective (Practitioner, The Workplace Day Nursery)

Watch Tina’s Video Tina explains the professional difference the programme has made for her nursery. Watch as families join together for an outdoor "Bear Hunt" and see how the four strands of literacy are woven into everyday play.

Nicola’s Journey (Parent, 5 Star Day Nursery)

Watch Nicola’s Video For Nicola, Making it REAL was about excitement and growth. She discusses how her own confidence grew alongside her child’s, the joys of discovering "environmental print" while outdoors, and the fun of visiting the library with nursery friends.

What to Expect from the Programme

The programme is specifically designed for families with children aged 3 to 5 years old. If your child’s setting is involved in Making it REAL you can look forward to:

Personalised Support: Two dedicated home learning visits for children who may need extra support to meet their learning milestones.

Exciting Events: Three community literacy events for all families in the group to enjoy together.

Library Adventures: Every participating school or nursery hosts a special event at their local library to help families access free books and resources.

Expert Partnerships: We work closely with the National Literacy Trust to make our events as engaging and impactful as possible, promoting that early reading matters!

Our Commitment to Excellence

Every participating school and nursery in Sandwell receives a certificate naming them "Making it REAL Ambassadors," recognising their dedication to family literacy and their success in helping our youngest residents thrive.

Interested in learning more?

Speak to your child's nursery or school to see if they are part of the Making it REAL network, or contact the Sandwell Early Years team for more information.

Saeeda Butt, Parents as Partners in Early Learning Manager

Email: saeeda_butt@sandwell.gov.uk

Mobile: 07769 283 285