Reading Labs
Building confident readers, one skill at a time.
Building confident readers, one skill at a time.
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Assessments and Placements Run Nov 30-Dec 18
The best time to build a strong reading foundation is before a child begins to struggle.
Reading Labs offers structured, engaging reading lessons that help children develop the skills they need to learn how to read.
Our programme is rooted in the Science of Reading and uses evidence-based teaching approaches to make reading understandable, practical and engaging for young learners.
We don't expect children to simply figure reading out. We teach them the skills they need, give them opportunities to practise, and help them grow in confidence as they progress.
Why start early?
Why start early?
Starting early gives children the opportunity to build essential reading skills without the added pressure of trying to catch up once formal schooling begins.
Children do not automatically learn to read simply because they reach Grade 1. Reading requires specific skills that need to be taught, practised and developed over time.
At Reading Labs, we focus on helping children build these foundations at an appropriate pace.
Our goal is to help children approach reading with confidence, curiosity and an understanding of how words work.
What will my child learn?
What will my child learn?
1. Hear and understand sounds.
1. Hear and understand sounds.
Children develop phonological awareness — the ability to recognise and work with the sounds in spoken language. This helps prepare them for learning how sounds connect to letters.
2. Connect letters to sounds.
2. Connect letters to sounds.
Children learn phonics: how letters and letter combinations represent sounds, and how to use this knowledge when reading words.
3. Blend sounds to read words.
3. Blend sounds to read words.
Children practise bringing sounds together to read words, gradually building their ability to read unfamiliar words more independently.
4. Read words and sentences.
4. Read words and sentences.
As their skills develop, children progress towards reading words, phrases, and sentences with increasing accuracy and fluency.
5. Understand what they read.
5. Understand what they read.
Reading is not just saying words aloud. Children also need to make sense of what they read. We include activities that encourage understanding, attention to meaning and independent thinking.
The skills children work on will depend on their age, development and current reading ability.
What makes Reading Labs different?
What makes Reading Labs different?
Our lessons are designed to make reading skills clear and manageable for young children.
We use hands-on activities, carefully structured resources and explicit teaching to help children understand what they are learning and why. Children have opportunities to practise skills in different ways, apply what they have learnt and build towards greater independence. We want children to leave each lesson with more than completed activities. We want them to develop skills they can use when reading on their own.
Is Reading Labs right for my child?
Is Reading Labs right for my child?
Reading Labs is designed for young children building their early reading skills, including children preparing for formal schooling. We also offer support for school-going children who are experiencing reading difficulties, subject to assessment and appropriate placement.
An assessment helps us understand your child's current skills and identify a suitable starting point.
How does enrolment work?
How does enrolment work?
Step 1: Enquire or book an assessment.
Step 1: Enquire or book an assessment.
Complete our enquiry form with your details and your child's information.
Step 2: Attend the assessment.
Step 2: Attend the assessment.
We assess relevant reading foundations and identify your child's strengths and areas that may need support.
Step 3: Receive feedback and placement guidance.
Step 3: Receive feedback and placement guidance.
We explain what we have identified and discuss an appropriate next step for your child.
Step 4: Complete registration.
Step 4: Complete registration.
Once a suitable place has been offered, complete registration and payment to secure your child's place.
Programme information
Programme information
Location: Tokai Library, Cape Town
Lesson format: Small-group, hands-on reading lessons
Lesson duration: 50 minutes
Programme: Structured early reading development and reading support
Group placement, session times, and availability are confirmed during the enrolment process.
Fees
Fees
Assessment fee: R800
Once-off registration fee: R2,000
This includes the assessment report, administration, and learning resources.
Monthly programme fee:
4-year-olds: R1,500 per month
5–7-year-olds: R1,250 per month
Please confirm the available group, timetable, and full payment details before registering. A place is confirmed once the registration process has been completed.
Give your child the opportunity to grow into a confident reader.
Give your child the opportunity to grow into a confident reader.
Every child deserves a strong foundation. Let's discover where your child's reading journey should begin.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Reading is a skill. It needs to be taught.
Reading is a skill. It needs to be taught.
At The Reading Tree, we believe children learn to read best when they are explicitly taught the skills that make reading possible. Our approach is rooted in the Science of Reading and informed by evidence-based practices. We break the reading process into manageable skills, introduce them in a structured way and give children opportunities to practise and apply what they learn.
We make reading engaging, but we never lose sight of the purpose behind each activity: helping children become capable, confident and independent readers.
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