Intent

In EYFS, Maths involves developing a strong grounding in number is essential so that all children develop the necessary building blocks to excel mathematically. Children should be able to count confidently, develop a deep understanding of the numbers to 10, the relationships between them and the patterns within those numbers. By providing frequent and varied opportunities to build and apply this understanding - such as using manipulatives, including small pebbles and tens frames for organising counting - children will develop a secure base of knowledge and vocabulary from which mastery of mathematics is built. In addition, it is important that the curriculum includes rich opportunities for children to develop their spatial reasoning skills across all areas of mathematics including shape, space and measures. It is important that children develop positive attitudes and interests in mathematics, look for patterns and relationships, spot connections, ‘have a go’, talk to adults and peers about what they notice and not be afraid to make mistakes.

The Early Learning Goal for Maths aims to ensure that all pupils, by the end of Reception:

Develop their understanding of Number so that they can:

• Have a deep understanding of number to 10, including the composition of each number.
• Subitise (recognise quantities without counting) up to 5.
• Automatically recall (without reference to rhymes, counting or other aids) number bonds up to 5 (including subtraction facts) and some number bonds to 10, including double facts.

Develop their understanding of Numerical Patterns so that they can:

• Verbally count beyond 20, recognising the pattern of the counting system.
• Compare quantities up to 10 in different contexts, recognising when one quantity is greater than, less than or the same as the other quantity.
• Explore and represent patterns within numbers up to 10, including evens and odds, double facts and how quantities can be distributed equally.

Through our EYFS curriculum at Saint Patrick’s, we aim to ensure that our children develop their knowledge and skills so that they have the necessary building blocks to achieve well mathematically throughout school.

Our curriculum aims to ensure that pupils: 

• Can represent, compare and understand the composition of each number to 10.
• Can subitise with quantities up to at least 5.
• Can automatically recall number bonds up to 5.
• Can recall some number bonds to 10 and some doubles facts.
• Can verbally count beyond 20, recognising the pattern of the counting system.
• Can compare quantities using language greater than, less than and equal to / the same as.
• Can explore and represent number patterns with numbers up to 10, including even numbers, odd numbers and doubles facts.

Implementation

We recognise that we have children at differing stages of development in their Maths and we seek to provide suitable learning opportunities throughout our EYFS by matching the challenge of the task to the child’s ability. We achieve this by:

• Setting open-ended tasks which can have a variety of responses.
• Providing a range of resources and learning experiences of different complexity depending on the stage of development of the child.
• Using different levels of questioning to develop understanding.
• Modelling and scaffolding learning in different ways.

Take a look at our learning and development throughout EYFS to see the journey

from our earliest starting points to achieving the Early Learning Goals:

Early Learning Goals

Impact

At Saint Patrick’s, we believe that the welcoming, respectful environment, enriched in Catholic morals and teachings, continues to enhance the educational and pastoral experience of every individual passing through our doors, to ensure that they develop and become well-rounded individuals within the community, with the ambition to reach their potential and succeed.

We recognise the unique needs of each child and support them in developing the whole child. We have a supportive ethos and our approaches support the children in developing both their collaborative and independent skills. The impact of our teaching of Maths is measured in the experiences, confidence and competence of our children within this area of learning. We ensure children receive the experiences they require, both within and beyond the curriculum, to develop their skills and knowledge and become confident in their understanding of number and numerical patterns.