Building Confident
Readers and Writers,
One Step at a Time
Evidence-based literacy support for Years 1–7. We help children bridge gaps in reading, writing, and spelling in a calm, nurturing environment.
Our Literacy Specialisations
Sounds Write
Sounds Write is an evidence-based phonics program designed to teach children the fundamental skills of reading and writing. It caters to children aged 4-11 and has shown impressive results in helping them develop strong literacy skills.
Parts of Speech and Figurative Language
Understanding parts of speech and figurative language offers numerous benefits that enhance both written and verbal communication skills, with benefits for both writers and readers.
Research Skills
Research skills encompass a variety of techniques and abilities that enable individuals to efficiently gather, evaluate, and use information.
Knowing how to structure a TEEL (Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence, Link) paragraph offers several benefits for effective academic and analytical writing.
Paragraph Writing for Informational Texts
Sounds Write
A First-Class Phonics Program
Sounds-Write is a highly successful, evidence-based linguistic phonics program. Unlike traditional methods that rely on memorisation, it teaches children the "code" of the English language. We focus on the physical relationship between sounds and symbols, making reading feel logical rather than like a series of exceptions.
Painless Progress: We move in tiny, successful increments so your child never feels "stuck."
Multisensory Learning: We use say-and-write techniques that engage the whole brain.
Spelling Mastery: By understanding how sounds map to letters, spelling becomes a skill they can "build" rather than just a memory task.
Confidence First: Designed to help children who have previously struggled feel immediate success with simple words before moving to complex ones.
Parts of Speech & Figurative Language
Bringing Colour to Communication
Writing is more than just grammar; it’s about expression. We help students understand the "tools in the shed", from the sturdy foundation of nouns and verbs to the decorative flair of similes and metaphors. This service turns technical writing into a creative craft.
Grammar Without the Grumble: We teach parts of speech through games and storytelling, not dry worksheets.
Expressive Writing: We show kids how to use adjectives and adverbs to make their writing "pop."
Literal vs. Figurative: We gently guide students to understand and use idioms, similes, and metaphors to add depth to their work.
Building Vocabulary: We explore rich, interesting words to help children find exactly the right way to say what they mean.
Research Skills
Turning Information into Knowledge
In a digital age, being able to find, filter, and use information is a superpower. We teach students how to approach big topics without feeling overwhelmed, helping them become independent learners who know how to ask the right questions.
Navigating Resources: Learn how to identify reliable information and use various sources effectively.
The Art of Note-Taking: We teach gentle strategies for capturing key ideas without just "copying from the book."
Summarising with Ease: Helping students find the "heart" of a paragraph and put it into their own words.
Planning Skills: We show them how to break a big project into small, bite-sized tasks that feel manageable.
Paragraph Writing for Informational Texts
Structuring Thoughts with Clarity
Many children have wonderful ideas but struggle to get them onto paper in an order that makes sense. We use supportive frameworks like TEEL (Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence, Link) to provide a "skeleton" for their thoughts, ensuring their writing is clear and persuasive.
Logical Flow: We teach how to link ideas together so the reader can follow along easily.
The TEEL Framework: A simple, repeatable "recipe" for writing strong, academic paragraphs.
Drafting & Editing: A low-pressure approach to checking work, focusing on "polishing" rather than "fixing mistakes."
Purposeful Writing: Whether it’s a report on animals or a persuasive essay, we help them tailor their structure to their goal.
A Note for Parents
We know that for many children, literacy has been a source of frustration. Our goal is to replace that anxiety with a sense of "I’ve got this." Every session is a blend of high-quality instruction and a warm, nurturing connection.
What Parents Say…
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★★★★★
"Nicola is kind, calm and she cares!! Highly recommend especially for Maths."
—Ainslie Gibson -
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★★★★★
"Early days but so far my child is enjoying the help with maths. Nicola is really good at spotting when something isn’t making sense and either simplifying or trying to teach a different way."
—Robin -
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★★★★★
Nicola is a fantastic educator who creates a safe and calm learning environment for the children she works with
— Samantha O’Neill
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★★★★★
Our whole family loves Nicola, especially my daughter. She has a wonderful therapeutic and fulfilling relationship, developed within a calming and nurturing environment. Lessons are individually tailored specifically for learning needs, and are rounded out with a game and giggles. I highly recommended Nicola. The benefits have been exactly as needed for our daughter.
—Leanne Ben
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★★★★★
It's been tremendous having Nicola's support for maths. If you're looking for a fun, nurturing and engaging environment for maths learning. This is the right spot! Nicola goes the extra mile, tailoring lessons according to our needs, using various manipulatives to help my child visualise abstract concepts, providing a calm environment for self-regulation and keeping it entertaining so that we are always engaged. My child has grown in confidence with maths after working with Nicola and enjoys each session.
—Michelle Tan
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★★★★★
Nicola is an incredible tutor and her ability to interact with my boys has helped them to achieve so many gains academically in the past two years. She fosters a love of learning and adapts to suit the child she is working with. She is also experienced in dealing with neurodivergent children and is able to empathise with them and finds ways to engage so they still learn even when they are having difficult days. I highly recommend Nicola as a tutor. - Thank you
— Nanette Wesley
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