In the early years sector, numeracy skills can sometimes be seen as secondary to literacy and communication skills, or something that children develop after learning to speak and read. Due to this misconception, settings can sometimes playdown numeracy skills in their staff and the British government has recently removed the requirement for Level 3 Early Years Educators (EYE) to hold a Level 2 equivalent qualification in Maths, with the onus now being on leadership to hold this qualification.
However, strong Maths skills are crucial for early years apprentices, not only for their own professional development but also so they can support young children’s understanding. Research shows that early Maths skills are a strong predictor of later academic success, making it essential for practitioners to confidently incorporate numeracy into their everyday interactions with children. So what can you do to strengthen these skills in your employees?
Maths in early years education
Mathematics should be embedded in the daily experiences of young children. From counting things to sharing toys fairly, early years practitioners should constantly engage in mathematical conversations with children. This is not advanced Calculus but simple, everyday things that children should understand such as shapes, comparisons, measuring, counting, and patterns.
Apprentices who lack confidence in their own numeracy skills may struggle to model mathematical thinking effectively, potentially limiting children’s learning experiences, which may impact on the children’s development in this area later on. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework emphasises the importance of developing a strong grounding in number, recognising that “a secure base of knowledge and vocabulary is crucial for future success in mathematics.”
Challenges and barriers
Despite the importance of numeracy, many apprentices enter the early years workforce with low confidence in their own abilities. Some may have had negative experiences with Maths at school, leading to anxiety and avoidance. Others may struggle with functional Maths skills required for tasks such as recording children’s progress, calculating ratios, or managing resources. A lack of professional development opportunities focused on Maths can further compound these challenges.
The important thing to remember here is that we should not be blaming apprentices if they are underconfident in Maths. The key to improving is to help everyone feel more confident which means supporting your apprentices (or other staff) to develop their skills in an environment that is supportive and non-judgmental.
Maths anxiety
Maths anxiety is a common issue that affects many people, often stemming from negative experiences in school. Apprentices who struggle with anxiety may avoid mathematical tasks altogether or feel overwhelmed when faced with them. To support those who experience anxiety, you can:
- Promote a growth mindset – encourage apprentices to view Maths as a skill that can be improved through practice rather than an innate ability
- Create a safe learning environment – provide non-judgmental support and allow apprentices to ask questions and make mistakes without fear of embarrassment
- Use practical, hands-on approaches – engage apprentices in real-life Maths activities that feel relevant to their work, such as measuring ingredients for a cooking activity or setting up a counting game for children
- Offer mentorship and peer support – pair apprentices with experienced practitioners who can model confident numeracy skills and provide guidance in a supportive manner
- Provide professional development – offer workshops, courses and resources that specifically address Maths anxiety and provide strategies to overcome it
By providing an understanding and respectful learning environment, you can help your apprentices address some of their biggest challenges or fears related to Maths.
Essential numeracy skills for apprentices
Early years apprentices don’t need to remember advanced trigonometry or algebra, but they do need a solid grasp of some fundamental concepts, including:
- Counting and number recognition – helping children recognise numbers, count objects, and understand how we represent values with numbers including basic fractions like ½ and ¼
- Basic arithmetic – introducing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (for example, how to divide things fairly between children)
- Problem-solving – learned through play-based activities
- Measurement and comparison – using language around size, length, weight, and volume in everyday contexts and recognising when things are larger or smaller than other things
- Shapes and patterns – supporting spatial awareness and pattern recognition
- Time – encouraging children to explore concepts like the sequence of events e.g. before, after and next, as well as timings used in everyday life
- Money – understanding the value of currency and the principles of exchange
How to encourage numeracy skills
To ensure apprentices develop strong numeracy skills, implement some or all of the following strategies:
Provide targeted training
Offer regular workshops or mentoring sessions focused on key Maths concepts and how to incorporate them into daily routines. Encourage apprentices to engage with the EYFS Maths framework and relevant professional development resources to increase their knowledge. You may want to support them to get a Level 2-equivalent qualification such as GCSE Maths or Functional Skills Level 2. Check out your local college courses or council support for adults wanting to improve their skills.
Embed Maths in your everyday practice
Encourage apprentices to model numeracy naturally, through real-life activities, such as counting out snack portions, discussing shapes during arts and crafts, or measuring ingredients in cooking activities. Getting apprentices to observe more experienced practitioners can help them see how it can be naturally integrated into the daily routines. Help apprentices strengthen their on-the-job abilities too, such as working out staff-child ratios, tracking attendance, and budgeting for activities.
Foster a positive Maths culture
Create an environment where Maths is seen as engaging and accessible rather than something that causes stress. Remind everyone to avoid using negative language about Maths, which can be picked up by children, and instead, encourage a growth mindset where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, and Maths is seen as natural and easy.
Use practical, hands-on approaches
Provide access to manipulatives such as counting beads, number blocks, and measuring tools like rulers, tape measures and scales. Hands-on learning can boost both children’s and apprentices’ confidence in mathematical concepts and show them that Maths is not something to be afraid of.
Encourage reflective practice
Ask apprentices to reflect on their use of Maths in their interactions with children. Encourage them to set small goals for improving their numeracy skills and to seek feedback from experienced practitioners. Remember to take a step-by-step approach rather than trying to ‘fix’ everything all at once.
To conclude, numeracy skills are important for pre-school children to learn, which means they are also vital for your early years apprentices.
References
School readiness and later achievement – PubMed
