Daycare Literacy & Early Reading Guide 2026: Building Pre-Reading Skills

Early literacy skills begin long before a child reads their first word. Quality daycare programs build the foundation for reading through rich language experiences, book exposure, and playful learning. Understanding what literacy development looks like helps you evaluate programs and support your child's journey toward reading.

This guide covers everything about early literacy at daycare in 2026: what pre-reading skills are, how quality programs build them, age-appropriate expectations, and supporting literacy at home.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Early Literacy
• What Pre-Reading Skills Look Like
• Quality Literacy Programs
• Literacy by Age
• Reading at Daycare
• Supporting Literacy at Home
• Questions to Ask

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Understanding Early Literacy

The foundation for reading.

What Is Early Literacy?

Includes:

• Language development
• Vocabulary building
• Print awareness
• Phonological awareness
• Letter knowledge
• Love of books

Why It Matters

Early literacy predicts:

• Reading success in school
• Academic achievement
• Lifelong learning habits
• Communication skills
• Cognitive development

Not "Teaching Reading"

Important distinction:

• Quality daycare builds foundation
• Not formal reading instruction
• Playful, experiential learning
• Developmentally appropriate
• Prepares for later instruction

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What Pre-Reading Skills Look Like

Building blocks of reading.

Vocabulary

What it means:

• Knowing many words
• Understanding word meanings
• Using words to communicate
• Learning new words regularly

Built through:

• Conversations
• Read-alouds
• Labeling in environment
• Rich experiences

Print Awareness

What it means:

• Understanding print has meaning
• Knowing how books work
• Recognizing environmental print
• Understanding we read left to right

Built through:

• Book handling
• Environmental print
• Writing in play
• Shared reading

Phonological Awareness

What it means:

• Hearing sounds in language
• Rhyming
• Syllables
• Beginning sounds
• Sound play

Built through:

• Songs and rhymes
• Word play
• Sound games
• Poetry and fingerplays

Letter Knowledge

What it means:

• Recognizing letters
• Knowing letter names
• Understanding letters have sounds
• Beginning letter-sound connection

Built through:

• Alphabet exposure
• Name recognition
• Letters in context
• Playful activities

Narrative Skills

What it means:

• Understanding stories
• Retelling events
• Sequencing
• Predicting what happens

Built through:

• Story time
• Asking questions
• Retelling stories
• Creating stories

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Quality Literacy Programs

What to look for.

Literacy-Rich Environment

Look for:

• Books everywhere (not just library)
• Print throughout classroom
• Labels and signs
• Writing center
• Letters in meaningful contexts
• Cozy reading areas

Daily Read-Alouds

Quality programs:

• Read multiple times daily
• Interactive reading style
• Varied book selection
• Discussions about books
• Child engagement encouraged

Language-Rich Interactions

Teachers should:

• Talk with children constantly
• Use rich vocabulary
• Ask open-ended questions
• Engage in conversations
• Extend children's language

Playful Learning

Literacy through play:

• Dramatic play with print
• Puppets for storytelling
• Songs and fingerplays
• Rhyming games
• Writing in centers

Avoid

Red flags:

• Worksheets and drills
• Forced letter learning
• Flashcard instruction
• Pressure to read early
• Limited book access

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Literacy by Age

Developmental expectations.

Infants (0-12 months)

Focus:

• Language exposure
• Hearing sounds
• Book handling
• Interactive reading
• Face-to-face communication

Appropriate activities:

• Board books
• Lap reading
• Songs and lullabies
• Narrating activities
• Rich language exposure

Toddlers (1-3 years)

Focus:

• Vocabulary explosion
• Book interest
• Beginning print awareness
• Rhymes and songs
• Early scribbling

Appropriate activities:

• Picture books
• Interactive stories
• Fingerplays
• Labeling objects
• Mark-making

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Focus:

• Phonological awareness
• Letter recognition
• Print concepts
• Story understanding
• Writing emergence

Appropriate activities:

• Varied read-alouds
• Letter exploration
• Rhyming games
• Writing center
• Storytelling

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Reading at Daycare

Quality read-aloud practices.

How Teachers Should Read

Quality practices:

• Engaging, expressive reading
• Questions before, during, after
• Pointing to print
• Discussing pictures
• Connecting to children's lives
• Following children's interests

Book Selection

Quality libraries include:

• Picture books
• Board books for babies
• Nonfiction
• Poetry
• Diverse representation
• Various genres
• Child favorites

Beyond Story Time

Literacy throughout day:

• Books in all centers
• Reading during transitions
• Child-initiated reading
• Rereading favorites
• Individual reading time

Environmental Print

In the classroom:

• Names on cubbies
• Labels on materials
• Daily schedule
• Alphabet displayed
• Children's writing

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Supporting Literacy at Home

Extending learning.

Reading Together

Daily habits:

• Read every day
• Follow child's interests
• Make it interactive
• Cozy reading time
• Library visits

Talking and Listening

Rich language:

• Conversations throughout day
• Expand on child's language
• Describe what you're doing
• Ask open-ended questions
• Listen attentively

Playing with Language

Fun activities:

• Sing songs
• Say nursery rhymes
• Play word games
• Make up silly rhymes
• Tell stories together

Writing Opportunities

Encourage through:

• Crayons and paper available
• Watching you write
• Writing their name
• Scribbling is writing
• Making lists together

Book Access

Build library:

• Books in every room
• Rotate selections
• Library visits
• Free book programs
• Diverse books

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Questions to Ask

About Program

1. "How do you support early literacy?"
2. "How often do you read to children?"
3. "What kinds of books do you have?"
4. "How is literacy incorporated throughout the day?"
5. "What's your approach to letter learning?"

About Environment

1. "Can I see your book area?"
2. "Where is print displayed in the classroom?"
3. "Do children have access to writing materials?"
4. "How do you create a literacy-rich environment?"

About Your Child

1. "What are my child's literacy interests?"
2. "How is my child engaging with books?"
3. "What vocabulary is my child developing?"
4. "How can I support literacy at home?"

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Literacy Quality Checklist

Environment

• [ ] Books accessible throughout room
• [ ] Cozy reading area
• [ ] Print displayed meaningfully
• [ ] Writing center available
• [ ] Environmental print (labels, signs)
• [ ] Alphabet in context

Practices

• [ ] Daily read-alouds
• [ ] Interactive reading style
• [ ] Rich conversations
• [ ] Songs and rhymes
• [ ] Playful literacy activities
• [ ] No worksheets/drills

Teacher Behavior

• [ ] Talks with children often
• [ ] Uses rich vocabulary
• [ ] Asks open-ended questions
• [ ] Engages in conversations
• [ ] Reads expressively
• [ ] Follows children's interests

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What NOT to Expect

Developmentally Inappropriate

Avoid programs that:

• Push early reading
• Use flashcards extensively
• Require letter drills
• Test young children
• Emphasize worksheets
• Pressure parents about milestones

Remember

Important facts:

• Most children read ages 6-7
• Pressure can backfire
• Foundation matters most
• Love of books is key
• Every child's timeline differs

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Resources

• Find Quality Daycare Near You
• Choosing Daycare Curriculum Guide
• Preschool-Age Daycare Guide
• Daycare Quality Indicators

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Last updated: December 2025