The statutory early learning goals (detailed below) establish expectations for most children to reach by the end of the EYFS.


Educational programme

Children must be supported in developing their understanding of Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practise and talk about their developing understanding. They must be provided with opportunities to practise and extend their skills in these areas and to gain confidence and competence in their use.

Early learning goals

By the end of the EYFS, children should:

Say and use number names in order in familiar contexts.

Count reliably up to ten everyday objects.

Recognise numerals 1 to 9.

Use developing mathematical ideas and methods to solve practical problems.
In practical activities and discussion, begin to use the vocabulary involved in adding and subtracting.

Use language such as 'more' or 'less' to compare two numbers.

Find one more or one less than a number from one to ten.

Begin to relate addition to combining two groups of objects and subtraction to 'taking away'.

Use language such as 'greater', 'smaller', 'heavier' or 'lighter' to compare quantities.

Talk about, recognise and recreate simple patterns.

Use language such as 'circle' or 'bigger' to describe the shape and size of solids and flat shapes.

Use everyday words to describe position.