Portsmouth Nursery Take on Four-Books-A-Day Challenge as Children’s Reading Hits 20-Year Low
Children’s love of reading has fallen to an all-time low in 20 years*, but at Busy Bees nursery in Portsmouth, children are proving that the magic of storytime is far from lost.
More than 100 children are joining the ‘Get the Reading Buzz’ pledge – a nationwide initiative launched by Busy Bees, the UK’s leading early years education provider, which aims to read over 45 million books** with children this year.
The pledge brings together more than 350 Busy Bees nurseries and over 37,000 children across the UK, all aspiring to enjoy at least four books a day, reclaiming storytime as a joyful experience that fosters a love of reading from the very beginning. Families are invited to join in, rediscovering the enjoyment of reading at home together and helping children to reach this momentous milestone.
The initiative comes at a critical moment. Recent figures show that just one in three children enjoy reading in their free time, and fewer than one in five read daily. Alarmingly, one in 10 children do not own a book, and only half (50.5%) of parents now read with their child each day, down from two-thirds (66.1%) in 2019.
In response to this decline, Busy Bees nursery in Portsmouth are embedding reading into every part of the nursery day, with children enjoying up to at least four stories, supported by dedicated story times and book-rich learning environments designed to nurture early literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. The nurseries are also working closely with parents, providing practical guidance, resources, and book recommendations to help families build consistent reading habits at home.
With 2026 marking the National Year of Reading, experts warn that early reading experiences are more crucial than ever. Reading together during a child’s earliest years is proven to support language development, confidence and imagination – foundations that shape children’s academic outcomes well beyond their early years.
Jenny Shaw, Academic Lead Researcher and Developer at Busy Bees, said: “Every day in our Portsmouth nursery, we see how a simple story can capture a child’s curiosity. Reading is more than just a moment, it’s a spark that ignites imagination, supports early language development, builds confidence and deepens connections between parent and child.
“These figures highlight a concerning national trend, and we know that to reverse it, we must ignite that reading spark long before a child reaches primary school. Our nurseries are dedicated to creating daily opportunities for children to enjoy stories. Through our Bee Curious Curriculum, we aim to nurture a love of stories, ensuring literacy isn’t just a skill children acquire but a passion they keep.
“We understand that many families are juggling busy schedules, and we’re committed to helping families enjoy reading again and recognise the lasting impact it can have on their child’s academic journey. We’re inviting families and carers to join in and rediscover the joy of reading at home – even just 5-10 minutes of reading together can spark a love of reading, nurture the bond between parent and child and support children’s emotional wellbeing.”
Busy Bees places reading at the heart of its Bee Curious curriculum, the UK’s only independently evaluated early years curriculum. Designed to spark curiosity and build strong foundations for lifelong learning, the curriculum celebrates the power of stories and encourages children to explore stories, rhymes, and poems through shared reading, immersive storytelling, and playful conversation. This approach supports children’s early language skills, introducing children to rich and diverse language in a curious and engaging way.
To mark the National Year of Reading, Busy Bees has pledged its support for the campaign and partnered with award-winning storyteller and creator of JoJo and Gran Gran, Laura Henry-Allain, to champion the importance of inspiring a love of reading from an early age.
Laura Henry-Allain MBE, Ambassador for the National Year of Reading, added: “As an educationalist and storyteller, I have always been extremely passionate about promoting reading for children, especially in their Early Years. It is music to my ears to hear that Busy Bees, as part of their Bee Curious curriculum, have created the four-a-day book challenge, which will have a lasting impact on children’s literacy and help them become readers for life."
To find out more about how Busy Bees is helping families ‘Get the Reading Buzz’ and its Bee Curious Curriculum, visit: https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/bee-curious/welcome-to-bee-curious
** Based on over 37,000 Busy Bees children reading four books a day from March to December, and inviting families to join the collective mission during weekends.
Busy Bees is encouraging families across the UK to write their own chapter of their book and fill their story with moments that matter. If you book a visit and enrol with Busy Bees between 16th February and 30th April 2026, you will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win £1,000 of holiday vouchers. Full T’s & C’s available at www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk