It began with the nursery class but has been extended to reception classes and is a fun way to explore languages through stories.

We detail our topics and highlight songs we will be introducing so the Kindertots team can tailor a session for our learning intentions. Sessions can combine all six areas of learning for the foundation stage.

We alternate French and German sessions. We have a number of French and German children in the foundation stage and they are confident and excited about the way we are learning these languages together and all the children are progressing well, which was commented on in our recent Ofsted report.

Children who are learning English as an additional language are equally confident in taking part. The sessions use vocabulary which the teachers reinforce later with the help of a CD supplied by Kindertots.

The children act parts of the story and have lots of opportunities to practise German and French words - numbers, for example, and “please” and “thank you”.

I highly recommend teachers of this age group to work in partnership with storytelling groups in their area that focus on languages.

Judith Andrew Foundation stage co-ordinator, Collis Primary School, London borough of Richmond

* Kindertots Tel: 0208 977 7914