Reading Bees Term 2

Choosing a reading program for your child can feel overwhelming. You want something that is gentle, practical and proven, with teachers you can trust and a clear plan for progress. That is exactly what Reading Bees was built to deliver.

Since 2013, more than 10,000 Melbourne children have learnt with Reading Bees. In 2025, 72% of surveyed parents rated their experience as very satisfied. Behind those numbers are small classes, qualified educators and a step-by-step phonics approach that helps children grow into confident readers and spellers.

If you are considering Term 2, you can book a free trial now. Classes run Monday to Saturday during school terms (class timetables vary across our 8 locations), and you can enrol mid-term with pro rata fees. Free trials are available for PreKinder and Kinder, and Primary students begin with a short screening so we place them at the right level.

What we teach and why it works

Reading Bees follows a structured literacy approach aligned with Little Learners Love Literacy. That means we teach phonics explicitly and in a carefully sequenced order. Children learn:

• Phonemic awareness (hearing and manipulating sounds in words)
• Sound-letter relationships and blending to decode words
• Handwriting and spelling patterns that match the sounds they are learning

Lessons are multisensory and engaging. Children sing, chant, practise sounds, blend and write. We use story-based activities, art and craft, and routine to build confidence and classroom-readiness.

This evidence-based model is effective for the broad range of learners we see, including children who are new to English and those with language or learning difficulties. Placement and pacing are matched to each child’s stage, not just their age.

Small classes, qualified educators

Your child learns best when they are seen and supported. Class sizes are intentionally small:

• PreKinder: maximum 10 children with two educators
• Kinder and Kinder Plus: maximum 12 children with two educators
• Primary: maximum 5 students with one educator

Every educator is qualified in teaching or speech pathology and has a First Aid Certification. And our assistant educators, who are the trusted extra pair of hands, play an important role in supporting children in class. All our team members hold a current Working With Children Check.

In classes of more than five children, we always have an educator and assistant in the room, so every child receives the same level of care, guidance, and support they deserve in every class.

Programs, pricing and class length

Reading Bees offers age and skill-based programs across eight Melbourne studios.

• PreKinder (age 3 at enrolment; toilet trained): 60 minutes, $41 per class
• Kinder (starting Prep the following year): 75 minutes, $48 per class
• Kinder Plus (for returning Kinder students): 75 minutes, $48 per class
• Primary Program (Prep to Year 3, skills-based groups): 45 minutes, $51 per class

There is an annual $30 fee per student that covers consumables, a workbook, a tote bag and a reader borrowing subscription. Primary students begin with a short paid screening appointment, $25 for 20 minutes, to assess reading and spelling so we can place them accurately.

When and how often classes run

Classes run Monday to Saturday during school terms for 38 weeks across the year. Most families attend once per week and see steady growth, especially when they add brief home practice. If you start mid-term, you only pay for the remaining weeks.

Makeup lessons are simple. If you log an absence in the Reading Bees app more than two hours before class, you will receive a makeup token valid for 60 days, bookable at any studio subject to availability.

The Reading Bees app makes life easier

Use the app to:

• Book a free PreKinder or Kinder trial during term
• Book a Primary screening appointment
• Enrol in classes and manage payments
• Report absences and claim makeup tokens
• Borrow decodable readers and access the Proshop

You can enrol anytime in Term 2. Transfers between classes and studios can be requested through the app.

Home practice that fits real life

Progress speeds up with short, regular practice. We recommend five minutes, three times per week. Use the decodable readers your child borrows and focus on the weekly sound. Point out the letter in signs, labels and books at home to reinforce learning in context. If you choose to add Milo’s Birthday Surprise and Milo’s alphabet flashcards from the Proshop, introduce only the sounds your child has learnt so far and add one new card each week.

A note on results and confidence

Parents often tell us the biggest change is confidence. One family shared that their son moved from guessing words to looking at the letters, blending each sound, and proudly reading small books. His self-belief grew alongside his skills, and everyday reading at home became enjoyable.

Outcomes vary by child, but our structured phonics, small groups and weekly routines create the conditions for steady progress. Starting in Term 2 can still make a meaningful difference this year.

Common concerns, answered

• Starting mid-term: Enrol anytime. Fees are pro rata, so you pay only for the remaining weeks.
• Makeups: Report an absence in the app more than two hours before class to receive a token valid for 60 days.
• Nervous children and separation: Educators are gentle and experienced. We build routines that help children settle at their own pace.
• Will my child be behind if we begin now: No. We meet each child at their current level and move step by step.

Our learning studios are located all across Melbourne. You can learn more about our structured literacy and phonics classes in Wantirna, Caroline Springs, Templestowe, South Kingsville, Bentleigh, Epping, Williams Landing and Cranbourne North on our site.

Quick guide to trials and screenings

• PreKinder and Kinder: Free trial available during term, book in the app.
• Primary (Prep to Year 3): Short paid screening, $25 for 20 minutes, then placement into a small skills-based group.

FAQ

• Is Reading Bees good? Reading Bees is an evidence-based program that has supported more than 10,000 children since 2013. In 2025, 72% of parents rated their experience as very satisfied. The program uses explicit phonics, small classes and qualified educators, which together typically support strong reading, writing and spelling growth.
• How often are Reading Bees sessions? Classes run once per week during school terms, Monday to Saturday. Families can start mid-term with pro rata fees.
• Is there a Reading Bees assessment? Yes, for our Primary program. Primary students complete a short paid screening ($25 for 20 minutes) so we can place them with peers at a similar skill level. PreKinder and Kinder offer free trials rather than assessments.
• What is an evidence-based reading program? It is a program built on research about how children learn to read. At Reading Bees, that means systematic, explicit and sequential phonics with integrated handwriting and spelling, taught in a structured literacy model aligned with Little Learners Love Literacy.
• What level of reading should a 6-year-old be on in Australia? Six-year-olds in Year 1 can vary widely. Many are consolidating letter-sound knowledge, blending to read simple decodable texts and building fluency with short sentences. Variation is typical, and progress depends on exposure, instruction and practice. If you are unsure, a Primary screening can help identify the right starting point.

Locations and who we help

Reading Bees runs 200+ classes each week across eight Melbourne studios, including South Kingsville, Cranbourne North and Templestowe. Families come for school-readiness, a head start in Prep, or support with decoding, spelling and handwriting through the early primary years.

If you are searching for reading classes or an evidence-based literacy curriculum in South Kingsville, you can explore options and availability on our website. Likewise, families comparing a letters and sounds program in Melbourne can find class times in the app.

Next step for Term 2

If your child is 3 to 5, book a free PreKinder or Kinder trial in the Reading Bees app. If your child is in Prep to Year 3, book a paid Primary screening. We will meet your child where they are, place them with care and get started on a calm, confident path to reading.