I got tired of rifling through Development Matters every time I needed to assess children! I created this Excel spreadsheet that features all 17 areas of learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. You can click on an age band to view that age band’s characteristics immediately - it has saved us so much time during assessment periods. All age bands, from birth-11 months, through to Early Learning Goal and Exceeding statements are included.

These Powerpoint files contain videos for each letter in the alphabet, modelling how to form those letters correctly. You will receive two Powerpoint files - one where each letter is modelled by a real hand, handwriting, and the other where the letter formation is animated. We have found these videos incredibly useful within both Phonics and Handwriting sessions, as they allow students to view a continuous loop of correct letter formation when practising themselves. You may either use the Powerpoints as standalone sessions - viewed in Slideshow mode, the first slide allows you to click on which letter you would like to practise, and you are then taken to the slide for that letter where the video is looped for pupils to copy. Alternatively, if teaching a specific letter in a Phonics session, you could add the video file to your own Powerpoint and play the formation as and when is appropriate for your class. Please note that both Powerpoints contain two versions for the letters ‘k’ and ‘f’ - looped and unlooped/straight and curved. Simply move forward to the next slide to use the one relevant to your setting.

An interactive advent calendar for a bit of fun during the festive period. Children can click on a number from 1-25 for a silly number joke each day from a Numberblock. Great for number recognition during Maths starter activities, or whenever you find yourself with a spare five minutes and a classful of children!

A selection of 9 different posters representing Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. One poster to show all 4 seasons represented as a tree Four posters to feature a high quality photograph of each season Four posters to focus on the senses, featuring photographs of things you can see, hear, smell and touch in each season

A complete planning and resource pack for Phonics intervention group activities - Phase 2 (Letters and Sounds). The planning format is fully editable and features over 20 separate sessions of group activities, covering Phase 2 of Letters and Sounds. There is also space for writing dates and teacher comments on the planning format. The pack includes both planning and resources, and as such is ‘ready to go’ - the entire pack can be printed out and handed to your teachers/TAs for a full term of intervention groups or focus group activities. Resources included: Sound flashcards A-Z (double-sided) Sound mat CVC word cards (with/without sound buttons) Tricky word cards CVC picture cards CVC word trails CVC phoneme frame cards Handwriting practice sheets (A-Z) Photo Caption Cards ‘Buried Treasure’ coins (real/fake/blank) …and more! The planning template is provided in both Word and PDF formats.

A selection of 5 different books for the number rhymes: 5 Little Ducks 5 Little Monkeys 5 Fat Sausages 5 Little Speckled Frogs 10 Green Bottles We have printed these out, laminated them and turned each number rhyme into a book. We leave them in our continuous provision with some props, to support children to act out the rhymes independently. Supports mathematical development and early number sense.

An editable medium-term planning format for the Spring Term in Reception, for Mathematics. Features assessment points from Development Matters to show curriculum coverage.

Two A4 ‘Check Up’ Forms for a doctors role play, featuring Writing and Maths opportunities, as well as a Prescription form for children to fill out independently.

10 A4 posters for the numerals 1-10. Each poster features a Numberblock character, a representation on fingers, and the numeral. Please note these are not genuine Numberblock characters but a similar version that I created to support number sense.

11 A4 posters for display in a doctors role play. Featuring doctor and patient photographs with speech bubbles, designed to provide independent reading opportunities and to promote speaking and listening during role play.

A selection of photographs featuring eyes and mouths in different expressions (happy, angry, scared, sad etc.), and a full page face template for sticking them on. We have found this really useful for teaching children about emotions and when encouraging them to speak about how they are feeling. They can either be used independently as a cutting/sticking activity for children, or laminated and provided within continuous provision to encourage children to show you how they are feeling when they are struggling to articulate it.

A simple Powerpoint presentation explaining Chinese New Year to children in the Early Years and Key Stage 1. Includes: A brief overview of the traditional Chinese New Year story and the 12 zodiac animals (the ‘Great River Race’); A simple explanation of why the Chinese calendar is different (based on phases of the moon instead of the sun); Examples and photographs of common traditions during Chinese New Year celebrations: house decorations, special food/clothes, red envelopes, dragon dances, spring cleaning etc.

A simple Powerpoint animation for use as a timer in the primary school classroom. Children must complete an activity before the jar fills up with marbles (5 minutes). Great for tidy up time in the Early Years, simple classroom activities or for building an understanding of time.

A simple Powerpoint animation for use as a timer in the primary school classroom. Children must complete an activity before the jar fills up with marbles (2 minutes). Great for tidy up time in the Early Years, simple classroom activities or for building an understanding of time.

A ‘cheat sheet’ grid for EYFS practitioners that provides examples of activities for each of the 17 areas of learning within Development Matters. Designed in line with the EYFS exemplification materials, this has proved invaluable within my Reception class. Useful to display on a classroom wall for easy referral for all adults looking to capture evidence for a specific area of learning. Also covers the Characteristics of Effective Learning.

We have used Talk Homework in my Early Years setting with great success. We send home this template each week with a different question for parents to discuss with their children. Questions may be related to something we have done in class that week, gathering prior knowledge for a new topic or an opportunity to discuss life at home. For example, “We made pancakes in class this week! Can your child tell you how/why we made them? Can they tell you about any other special occasions that people celebrate?” The template features a graphic outlining the ‘rules’ of Talk Homework for parents - e.g. turn off the TV, write down exactly what your child says, give them thinking time etc. It includes an editable text box for your own questions, and further space for parents to write down their child’s response.

On Entry Maths Assessment for the Early Years - featuring Number assessments as well as areas of Shape, Space and Measure. A simple one page document ideal for capturing a snapshot of children’s mathematical understanding on entry and as children develop throughout the year.

A washing machine front dial for supporting reading and mathematical development in the Early Years. Numbered to 9 with simple symbols and words. Also included are washing instructions - simple sentences to display in the home corner.