Tutoring in Ashford, Kent
A gentle head start in reading for 2 to 4 year olds in Ashford
One-to-one, play-based sessions in phonics, early maths and music. In your home or at a local church, following one clear reading path from first sounds to first books.
Founding families
5 of 5 founding places left
£25 an hour until Easter 2027, then £28 an hour for as long as you stay. The standard rate is £30 an hour.
A session
What a session looks like
One hour 45 minutes of short, varied, play-based activities. Songs, movement, a story, counting games and making, with a few minutes of phonics at the heart of it.
You get a one-minute update at the end of every session.
0:00 to 0:05Arrive and settle
Handover and free play with a set-out activity.
The same for every age
0:05 to 0:15Welcome circle
Hello song, day and weather, recall from last session.
- Age 2
- Song and actions
- Ages 3 to 4
- Recall last sound and number
0:15 to 0:30Phonics
Sound of the day from the approved progression.
- Age 2
- Stage 0 listening games, first sounds
- Ages 3 to 4
- Stages 1 to 3: new sound, blending, reading
0:30 to 0:40Move
Gross motor play linked to the theme.
The same for every age
0:40 to 0:50Snack and story
Shared book, new vocabulary, talk.
- Age 2
- Point and name
- Ages 3 to 4
- Retell and predict
0:50 to 1:05Maths through play
Number, counting, shape, pattern, measuring.
- Age 2
- Counting to 5, sorting
- Ages 3 to 4
- Counting, number recognition, simple adding
1:05 to 1:20Singing and music
Rhymes, rhythm, pitch, action songs.
- Age 2
- Same, shorter
- Ages 3 to 4
- Plus clapping syllables
1:20 to 1:38Make and explore
Fine motor, art, sensory or theme activity. The tutor observes and notes progress.
- Age 2
- Sensory, scribbling
- Ages 3 to 4
- Mark-making, letter formation, crafts
1:38 to 1:45Review and goodbye
What we learned, goodbye song, a one-minute parent update.
The same for every age
One reading path
From first sounds to first books
We teach in the common UK order, so your child’s sounds match what Reception uses. Each stage builds on the last.
Age 2
Stage 0: Listening
Hears and plays with sounds in words.
Words like: c-a-t... cat
Age 3
Stage 1
Blends and reads simple CVC words.
Words like: sat, pin, dog
Age 4
Stage 2
Reads words and short sentences with digraphs and trigraphs.
Words like: chip, rain, night
Age 4
Stage 3
Reads longer words fluently.
Words like: stamp, frog, sandwich
Confident 4 to 5
Stage 4
Reads with alternative spellings.
Words like: play, cake, phone
Who it’s for
Early learning, built around your child
Ages 2 to 4
For children not yet in school.
One to one
Your child gets the tutor's full attention. No groups.
Home or church
In your home, or at a local church room.
Stay or drop off
You choose. Sessions fit around naps.
Sounds first
Sounds first. Letter names later. Reading follows.
Pricing
Clear prices, per child
Standard rate £30 an hour. Founding families pay £25 an hour until Easter 2027, then £28 an hour for as long as they stay.
| Days a week | Standard £30 an hour | Founding £25 an hour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | £55 a week£238 a month | £45 a week£195 a month |
| 2 days | £105 a week£455 a month | £90 a week£390 a month |
| 3 days5% off | £150 a week£650 a month | £125 a week£542 a month |
| 4 days10% off | £190 a week£823 a month | £160 a week£693 a month |
| 5 days15% off | £225 a week£975 a month | £185 a week£802 a month |
Sessions are 1 hour 45 minutes, including arrival and handover. 5% off at 3 days, 10% at 4, 15% at 5, rounded to the nearest £5. Monthly price is weekly × 52 ÷ 12. Founding prices run until Easter 2027, then founding families pay £28 an hour.
Safe hands
How sessions run safely
- At home, a parent or carer stays in the house for the whole session.
- At church, children are signed in and out, and only go home with named adults. The door stays open or the room stays visible.
- You can stay for the session or drop off. Your child's routine, naps and mealtimes come first.
- A short chat at handover keeps you in the loop on what your child tried and enjoyed.
Your tutor
Meet Deborah
Deborah teaches one child at a time, building every session around play, songs and stories, and following one clear reading path from first sounds to first books.
Coming soon
More from Goldleaf
Goldleaf Readers
Decodable phonics books in box sets, with interactive little readers for age 2.
Goldleaf Curriculum
A home learning programme for ages 2, 3 and 4.
Both follow the same reading path your child learns in a tutoring session.
Questions
Questions parents ask
Do you follow the same phonics as schools?
We teach sounds in the common UK order, so what your child learns with us matches the phases Reception teaches. Stages are a working name, and they line up with the phases schools already use.
Can I stay during the session?
Yes. You are welcome to stay for the whole session or drop off, whichever suits you and your child. For many 2 year olds, staying works best at first.
Where do sessions happen?
In your home, or at a local church room in Ashford. If we meet at your home, a parent or carer stays in the house for the whole session.
How many days a week?
From one to five. Sessions run for 1 hour 45 minutes, including arrival and handover. Booking three or more days a week brings a discount, shown in the pricing table.
Is it Christian?
Goldleaf is a Christian-run business. Sessions are faith-neutral by default. An optional faith package of prayers, Bible stories and worship songs is available for families to use at home.
What happens first?
You send an enquiry, we have a chat, then your child does a short play-based check so we know where to start. There is no test and no pressure.
What about naps?
We book sessions around your child's routine, so naps and mealtimes come first.
Ready to ask about a place?
Send a short enquiry. Deborah will reply within 2 working days.