Early childhood education sets the foundation for lifelong learning, and the tools and approaches educators choose can significantly impact a child’s academic trajectory. Among the many literacy programs available today, the Fundations® Curriculum, developed by Wilson Language Training®, stands out for its structured, research-based approach to phonemic awareness, phonics, and early literacy.
Originally designed for use in K-3 classrooms, many daycares and preschools are now implementing Fundations® at the pre-K level or even earlier, with remarkable benefits.
Grow and Learn Preschool’s curriculum is built around the Fundations® concepts, from our 1-year-old and Toddler classrooms to our Preschool and Pre-K classrooms, as we strongly believe kids can benefit from it at the younger age.
What is Fundations®?
Fundations® is a multisensory and systematic language program grounded in the science of reading. It emphasizes explicit instruction in foundational literacy skills, including letter formation, phonological and phonemic awareness, sound-letter correspondence, vocabulary, high-frequency words, and beginning reading comprehension. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, Fundations® helps young children build strong reading and spelling skills. It prepares children for kindergarten and instill essential pre-literacy skills.
Key Benefits of Fundations® in Early Childhood Settings
1. A Structured Start for Literacy
One of the most significant challenges in early childhood education is ensuring that children are ready for the academic expectations of kindergarten. Fundations® offers a clearly defined, step-by-step structure that allows educators to systematically introduce literacy concepts. This structure is particularly beneficial in daycare and preschool environments where students are just beginning to engage with letters, sounds, and words.
By using direct, consistent instruction and a predictable routine, Fundations® helps young learners feel secure and confident as they begin their literacy journey.
2. Multisensory Learning That Sticks
Fundations® employs a multisensory teaching approach, engaging visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile pathways simultaneously. Young children learn best through active, hands-on experiences—and Fundations® delivers. Activities like skywriting letters, tapping out sounds with fingers, using magnetic letter boards, and verbal repetition help reinforce new skills in a fun and engaging way.
This multisensory design is particularly effective in a daycare or preschool setting, where children’s attention spans are short and learning is more impactful when movement and interaction are involved.
3. Early Intervention and Prevention of Reading Difficulties
Research shows that early intervention is crucial for preventing reading struggles later in school. Fundations® supports this by identifying key skills early and addressing them through repetitive, scaffolded instruction. For children at risk of reading difficulties—such as those with speech or language delays, or those from homes where English is not the primary language—Fundations® can provide the support they need before gaps widen.
Preschools and daycares that use Fundations® often report fewer referrals for literacy intervention in later grades, because students receive effective, preventative instruction from the start.
4. Support for All Learners, Including Those with Special Needs
Fundations® was developed with inclusive education in mind. Its consistent routines, clear visual cues, and built-in differentiation strategies make it ideal for children with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, or developmental delays. Teachers are trained to tailor instruction to the needs of each learner, ensuring that no child is left behind.
This inclusive philosophy aligns well with the diverse needs of children in daycare and preschool settings, where early developmental variances are common.
5. Professional Development and Teacher Support
Implementing a new curriculum in an early childhood classroom can be challenging, but Fundations® includes comprehensive teacher guides, scripted lesson plans, and training resources that help educators feel confident and prepared. Many early educators appreciate the clear guidance that Fundations® provides, especially if they do not have extensive training in literacy instruction.
The program also includes regular assessments and tracking tools, enabling teachers to monitor student progress and adjust instruction as needed—critical in early years where developmental benchmarks are closely watched.
6. Alignment with Standards and Kindergarten Readiness
Fundations® aligns with state and national standards, making it easier for educators to ensure children are on track. This alignment also helps preschools prepare children for a seamless transition to kindergarten, where expectations for reading readiness are increasingly rigorous.
By the time children complete Fundations® Level Pre-K or Level K, they typically have a strong grasp of the alphabet, can identify and produce letter sounds, and are beginning to decode simple words—all key indicators of kindergarten readiness.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating the Fundations® Curriculum into daycare and preschool programs is an investment in children’s futures. Its research-based approach, emphasis on early intervention, and engaging, multisensory techniques make it a powerful tool for laying a strong foundation in literacy.
By nurturing essential reading skills from a young age, Fundations® not only helps children thrive academically but also fosters a lifelong love for learning. For early childhood centers committed to high-quality, evidence-based education, Fundations® is a smart and impactful choice.
At Grow and Learn Preschool and Daycare, we are proud to invest in your child’s success by embracing Fundations® as a part of our curriculum.
