Learning to Read in the Early Years Professional Learning Programme

Published 14/09/2026.  Last updated 11/11/2026

The programme will focus on engagement with Education Scotland’s Learning to read in the Early Years resource, explicitly connecting research to classroom practice.

Through engagement with the professional learning resource (videos, reflective questions, signposted resources), the course is designed to inform thinking, planning and pedagogy, support self-evaluation of your current practice, prompt reflection and facilitate professional dialogue with other school/ ELC teams, leading to a small enquiry project in one focus area within the area of early reading.

Please note that this is the full version of our Learning to Read in the Early Years professional learning programme. A condensed and adapted version of the programme known as Learning to Read in the Early Years Collaborative Reflection and Dialogue is also available.

The adapted programme is delivered over a shorter timeframe and is designed for individual practitioners to complete independently. In contrast, the full programme provides a more extended and in-depth engagement with the resource, incorporating practitioner enquiry and collaborative working as part of a trio within a school or setting.

Primary Schools

We are inviting primary schools to apply nominating a group of 3 consisting of

  • 1 school lead with responsibility for literacy/early/first level
  • 2 practitioners - for example, 1 working in P1 to P3 and 1 working in ELC or 2 working in P1 to P3

ELC Settings

We are inviting ELC Settings to apply nominating a group of 3 consisting of

  • 1 setting leads
  • 2 practitioners

Participants will explore: 

  • building a literacy-rich environment through interactions, experiences, and spaces 

  • developing children’s reading skills 

  • supporting the development of independent and engaged readers.

Participants will: 

  • develop and consolidate knowledge and practice of how children learn to read in the early years 

  • be supported to interpret Scotland's curriculum guidance and make research-informed decisions for learning and teaching 

  • engage in professional dialogue within and across schools/ settings to share learning and practice 

  • be supported to self-evaluate as a professional and within your setting

  • engage in leading change through an enquiry project which reflects interests, priorities, learners and context.

The programme takes place over the course of one academic year, beginning in September and concluding in April. 

You will be expected to: 

  • commit to all the programme events and approximately 10 hours or more of self-directed learning 

  • engage with your school or setting trio and other participants in the programme through programme tasks and professional dialogue 

  • evaluate and support the on-going co-construction of the programme 

  • work towards leading change following your action plan with support from course leads, local authority facilitators and programme participants

Our programme requires active participation to ensure a meaningful learning experience. Participants will have varying degrees of prior knowledge, understanding and experience and everyone has valuable insights to share. Consequently, everyone can benefit from each and every fellow participant’s contributions.

The total course time accounts for 26 hours. This includes: 

  • 1 online launch event: 1.5 hours 

  • viewing online presentations: 1.5 hours 

  • 5 online twilight sessions: 7.5 hours total 

  • 1 online sharing the learning event: 2.5 hours 

  • reading, watching, planning and preparing presentations: 13 hours

The programme consists of 7 sessions.

Throughout the programme, you will be supported to identify an area of focus and undertake a small-scale enquiry informed by self-evaluation, reflection, and a specific practice need.

At the end of the programme, you will share your learning, present your area of focus, the changes you have implemented, and your reflections on these. This will provide an opportunity to learn from others, generate new ideas, and offer constructive feedback.

“Sharing practice and sharing ideas is undoubtedly the biggest gain from training like this. I have lots of ideas to take back to my setting and try with the children in my setting”
ELC Practitioner

”The value of learning through enquiry is incredible. The mixture of learning through dialogue, watching videos and practical enquiry has been really beneficial”.
Class Teacher, Primary

“Very high quality resources, lots of further professional reading on the resource. Knowledgeable presenters and programme leaders. An excellent professional learning programme, supporting collegiate working across ELCs and Primary Schools”
LA Lead

Applications for the current cohort (Cohort 3) of the programme are now closed.

Applications for Cohort 4 will open in Summer 2027, subject to funding approval.

Please complete the Learning to Read in the Early Years Expression of Interest form if you wish to take part in the 2027 to 2028 cohort.

Once dates for Cohort 4 have been confirmed, you will be contacted using the details provided and invited to complete a registration form.
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Learning to Read in the Early Years Professional Learning Programme

Published 14/09/2026.  Last updated 11/11/2026

The programme will focus on engagement with Education Scotland’s Learning to read in the Early Years resource, explicitly connecting research to classroom practice.

Through engagement with the professional learning resource (videos, reflective questions, signposted resources), the course is designed to inform thinking, planning and pedagogy, support self-evaluation of your current practice, prompt reflection and facilitate professional dialogue with other school/ ELC teams, leading to a small enquiry project in one focus area within the area of early reading.

Please note that this is the full version of our Learning to Read in the Early Years professional learning programme. A condensed and adapted version of the programme known as Learning to Read in the Early Years Collaborative Reflection and Dialogue is also available.

The adapted programme is delivered over a shorter timeframe and is designed for individual practitioners to complete independently. In contrast, the full programme provides a more extended and in-depth engagement with the resource, incorporating practitioner enquiry and collaborative working as part of a trio within a school or setting.

Primary Schools

We are inviting primary schools to apply nominating a group of 3 consisting of

  • 1 school lead with responsibility for literacy/early/first level
  • 2 practitioners - for example, 1 working in P1 to P3 and 1 working in ELC or 2 working in P1 to P3

ELC Settings

We are inviting ELC Settings to apply nominating a group of 3 consisting of

  • 1 setting leads
  • 2 practitioners

Participants will explore: 

  • building a literacy-rich environment through interactions, experiences, and spaces 

  • developing children’s reading skills 

  • supporting the development of independent and engaged readers.

Participants will: 

  • develop and consolidate knowledge and practice of how children learn to read in the early years 

  • be supported to interpret Scotland's curriculum guidance and make research-informed decisions for learning and teaching 

  • engage in professional dialogue within and across schools/ settings to share learning and practice 

  • be supported to self-evaluate as a professional and within your setting

  • engage in leading change through an enquiry project which reflects interests, priorities, learners and context.

The programme takes place over the course of one academic year, beginning in September and concluding in April. 

You will be expected to: 

  • commit to all the programme events and approximately 10 hours or more of self-directed learning 

  • engage with your school or setting trio and other participants in the programme through programme tasks and professional dialogue 

  • evaluate and support the on-going co-construction of the programme 

  • work towards leading change following your action plan with support from course leads, local authority facilitators and programme participants

Our programme requires active participation to ensure a meaningful learning experience. Participants will have varying degrees of prior knowledge, understanding and experience and everyone has valuable insights to share. Consequently, everyone can benefit from each and every fellow participant’s contributions.

The total course time accounts for 26 hours. This includes: 

  • 1 online launch event: 1.5 hours 

  • viewing online presentations: 1.5 hours 

  • 5 online twilight sessions: 7.5 hours total 

  • 1 online sharing the learning event: 2.5 hours 

  • reading, watching, planning and preparing presentations: 13 hours

The programme consists of 7 sessions.

Throughout the programme, you will be supported to identify an area of focus and undertake a small-scale enquiry informed by self-evaluation, reflection, and a specific practice need.

At the end of the programme, you will share your learning, present your area of focus, the changes you have implemented, and your reflections on these. This will provide an opportunity to learn from others, generate new ideas, and offer constructive feedback.

“Sharing practice and sharing ideas is undoubtedly the biggest gain from training like this. I have lots of ideas to take back to my setting and try with the children in my setting”
ELC Practitioner

”The value of learning through enquiry is incredible. The mixture of learning through dialogue, watching videos and practical enquiry has been really beneficial”.
Class Teacher, Primary

“Very high quality resources, lots of further professional reading on the resource. Knowledgeable presenters and programme leaders. An excellent professional learning programme, supporting collegiate working across ELCs and Primary Schools”
LA Lead

Applications for the current cohort (Cohort 3) of the programme are now closed.

Applications for Cohort 4 will open in Summer 2027, subject to funding approval.

Please complete the Learning to Read in the Early Years Expression of Interest form if you wish to take part in the 2027 to 2028 cohort.

Once dates for Cohort 4 have been confirmed, you will be contacted using the details provided and invited to complete a registration form.
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