Mathematics
Intent
At Alkerden CE Academy Nursery, we believe that every child is a mathematician. We aim to develop children's confidence, curiosity and enjoyment of mathematics by providing rich, practical experiences that enable them to explore number and patterns in meaningful contexts. Through play, investigation and carefully planned adult-led experiences, children develop a secure understanding of early mathematical concepts that will provide the foundations for future learning.
Our mathematics curriculum is delivered through the White Rose Maths programme, which provides a carefully sequenced progression of learning that allows children to revisit and deepen their understanding of key concepts over time. We recognise that mathematical understanding develops through exploration, talk and repeated practical experiences, enabling children to make connections and apply their knowledge in everyday situations.
We encourage children to notice mathematics in the world around them, developing confidence in counting, recognising quantities, comparing amounts and identifying patterns. Through high-quality interactions and purposeful provision, children begin to reason mathematically, explain their thinking and solve simple problems. We strive to ensure that all children develop positive attitudes towards mathematics and leave Nursery with the confidence and understanding needed to access the Reception mathematics curriculum.
Our curriculum reflects the expectations within Development Matters, enabling children to build secure foundations in number and numerical patterns through meaningful, engaging experiences.
Implementation
Mathematics is embedded throughout the daily life of our nursery. Children encounter opportunities to count, compare, sort, estimate, match and solve problems during both adult-led activities and child-initiated play. Practitioners model mathematical language consistently and encourage children to notice patterns, explain their thinking and use mathematics in meaningful contexts.
Our mathematics curriculum is carefully planned using the White Rose Maths scheme, ensuring that children revisit key concepts regularly and build their understanding through a coherent sequence of learning. Small group sessions introduce new ideas through practical resources, stories, songs and games before children apply and consolidate their learning within continuous provision.
Children develop a deep understanding of number by exploring quantities using concrete resources such as counters, natural objects, loose parts, number frames and cubes. They learn to count objects accurately, recognise small quantities without counting, compare groups of objects and begin to understand that the last number counted represents the total quantity. Through repeated opportunities to match numerals with quantities and explore the composition of numbers, children develop increasing confidence and fluency.
Mathematical language is woven into everyday routines. Children count how many are present at registration, compare quantities at snack time, notice numbers in the environment and solve practical problems during play. Adults carefully model vocabulary such as more, fewer, same, altogether, first, next, before and after, helping children to articulate their mathematical thinking.
Developing an understanding of numerical patterns is a key aspect of our curriculum. Children explore repeating patterns using colours, shapes, sounds and movements before progressing to recognising, copying, extending and creating their own patterns. They begin to notice patterns within number sequences through songs, rhymes and counting games, laying the foundations for future understanding of the number system.
Mathematics is enhanced through high-quality storybooks, nursery rhymes and songs, allowing children to experience number in engaging and memorable ways. Stories such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons and Ten Little Pirates provide meaningful opportunities to explore counting, comparing and mathematical vocabulary.
Our enabling environment provides continuous opportunities for children to apply their mathematical understanding independently. Number resources, counting collections, puzzles, construction materials, sorting equipment and pattern-making resources are readily available both indoors and outdoors, encouraging children to investigate mathematical ideas through play.
Practitioners use skilful questioning to deepen children's thinking, encouraging them to explain how they know, predict what might happen next and justify their ideas. Learning is carefully adapted to meet individual needs, ensuring every child experiences success and challenge from their own starting point.
Strong partnerships with families further support mathematical development. Parents are encouraged to recognise and celebrate mathematics within everyday routines, such as counting steps, sharing objects, spotting numbers in the environment and talking about patterns at home.
Impact
By the time children leave Alkerden CE Academy Nursery, they have developed positive attitudes towards mathematics and view themselves as capable mathematicians. They confidently engage with number through play, use mathematical language to describe their thinking and demonstrate an understanding of early number concepts that prepares them for Reception.
Children count with increasing accuracy, recognise and compare quantities, and begin to understand the relationship between numbers and amounts. They demonstrate growing confidence in recognising numerals, matching them to quantities and solving simple mathematical problems using practical resources. Through regular opportunities to explore patterns, children are able to recognise, copy, continue and create repeating patterns and begin to notice patterns within numbers and the environment.
Children use mathematical language naturally within their play and everyday conversations, showing increasing confidence in explaining their ideas and reasoning. They approach mathematical challenges with curiosity, resilience and enthusiasm, demonstrating the characteristics of effective learning as they investigate, explore and persevere.
The impact of our mathematics curriculum is evident through children's engagement during White Rose Maths sessions, their independent application of mathematical concepts within continuous provision and the increasingly sophisticated mathematical language they use in their daily play. Ongoing observations and e-learning journeys demonstrate clear progression from individual starting points. By the end of Nursery, children have developed secure foundations in number and numerical patterns and are well prepared to access the Reception mathematics curriculum with confidence, curiosity and a positive disposition towards learning.