Though early years educators know how important early maths is, some feel daunted by it. The Maths Champions Programme, developed by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), aims to address this.
The online programme focusses on building the confidence and skills of educators. This will enable them to create rich mathematical learning experiences for young children. It is based on the idea that confident practitioners lead to confident learners.
The programme is available to private, voluntary, or independent (PVI) settings, maintained nursery schools, and school-based nursery settings
Maths Champions is a year-long programme designed to embed change.
- What is the thinking behind Maths Champions?
Maths Champions is all about supporting educators.
Settings that participate require one educator to be the Maths Champion and another the Deputy Maths Champion. Each need at least a Level 3 qualification.
The programme supports them to examine ways of focusing on maths through everyday activities. An example of this is counting at snack time.
2. It helps improve maths across the whole setting
Early on, Champions carry out a maths provision audit. They look at how maths appears in their environment, routines and activities. They can then develop an action plan to improve maths teaching and learning in the setting.
The programme is setting-specific: actions plans will vary between settings.
3. The training is online and flexible
The programme recognises that early years’ teams are busy. This is why all training is delivered online and designed to fit around work schedules.
The programme offers:
- a one-hour induction session to introduce the programme
- three learning modules (2 hours or so each) focussing on early maths development and effective maths teaching
- optional monthly webinars and access to additional courses, some mandatory
- six one-to-one coaching sessions spread over the year
The combination of training and bespoke coaching gives Champions the opportunity to reflect on maths in their setting, develop their knowledge and a wealth of practical strategies. They can then use these with their team.
4. Strong research evidence
“There is good evidence that high quality early numeracy approaches can be effective: EEF’s Early Years Teaching and Learning Toolkit shows that early numeracy interventions can have a high impact on children’s outcomes, including long-lasting effects which may help close the gap in achievement throughout life”. (EEF)
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) carried out trials of the programme in 134 nurseries across England. Children in participating settings made around three months additional progress in maths and language compared with those not participating.
Significantly, the benefits were even greater for children eligible for the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). Research suggested improvements equivalent to six months of additional progress in maths.
A follow-up study found that children who took part in the programme continued to perform around two months ahead of their peers in their Early Years Foundation Stage Profile assessments. Again, this was not only in maths, but also language. The EEF adds that the additional boost for children eligible for the EYPP was maintained through to the end of the Reception year.
5. It is growing across England and currently funded
Because of these noteworthy results, the programme is recognised by the EEF as a ‘Promising Programme’:
“As Maths Champions has been shown to have positive impact on children’s outcomes in EEF trials, the Department for Education are fully funding delivery at scale in 2026, with 1800 places available for PVI, maintained and school-based nursery settings in England to access the programme at no cost”. (EEF)
In all …
Early maths learning helps shape how children approach problem-solving, reasoning and learning throughout their education.
By supporting educators, the Maths Champions Programme aims to strengthen maths learning where it is most meaningful - in everyday life.
As more settings get involved, more children will start school with a positive and confident relationship to maths.
The more settings that sign up the better!
Want to know more?
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA): MATHS CHAMPIONS: FREE Early years training: Improving outcomes for children by embedding maths into play and activities.
Short video from Hey Days Nursery & Preschool, showcasing how the Maths Champions programme brings maths to life through everyday play and interactions.