Early Years Number Sense Programme

Structured around 95 teaching animations which provide starting points for whole class number sense discussions, the Early Years Number Sense programme teaches a deep understanding of quantity and of numbers to 10. It covers all the number elements of the 2021 statutory framework except counting, and it supports assessment of the Early Learning Goals for Number and Numerical Patterns. Designed for Reception, some animations can also be used in Nursery.

Subscriptions start at £65 per year. More pricing information can be found here.

Introductory video

4 mins 50 secs

Our next free introductory training is on Thursday 11 February at 4pm, held on zoom. Sign up here.

The programme

Develops a deep understanding of quantities to ten

We are born with an innate ability to process small quantities visually. The Early Years Number Sense programme meets children at this starting point of subitising one and two, and develops a deep understanding of all the quantities to ten. The programme develops subitising, manipulating, and partitioning of numbers to 10, and supports children to see their different properties.

Visuospatial approach

Subitising is a visuospatial skill, and we have thought carefully about how we develop children's understanding of number and spatial awareness hand in hand. The programme materials expose the different ways that small quantities can be arranged and manipulated, and teach children to see quantities within quantities. The programme supports children to develop their own visual images of quantities to ten.

Promotes talk and reasoning

The programme animations provide mathematically rich images that are a stimulus for regular whole class number sense discussions. Discussion support is provided for each animation, along with associated pedagogical subject knowledge and prompts for wider provision.

Systematic and structured

The programme's systematic approach provides a coherent teaching sequence to develop a deep understanding of numbers to 10. The structure of the programme materials means they can be used as the central structure and resource for the teaching of number and as highly visual resources that tie in with your existing curriculum sequence.

Matched to 2021 statutory framework

The Early Years Number Sense programme is written to tie closely to the 2021 statutory framework. It covers all the number elements of the framework, with the exception of counting. Our teacher guidance materials also show how the programme materials can be used to support the assessment of the Early Learning Goals for Number and Numerical Patterns.

Professional development

The structured nature of the programme, combined with the detailed guidance for each animation, provides in built support for teachers and TAs to develop their pedagogical subject knowledge.

The associated programme guidance section on the portal provides additional support on areas including curriculum planning and assessment.

The Early Years Number Sense in-depth training course is also available for further support.

Testimonials

"We have used in Reception and I can't even begin to explain how great the resources are!"

The Learning for Life Partnership

"The children really engage with the animations and ask to explore the resources during child initiated learning. They have definitely inspired much richer and focused discussion."

Brunel Field Primary School

"I find the animations extremely useful. They are well paced and very thorough with how they cover the content."

Bovington Academy