Improving outcomes for children by embedding maths into play and activities.
Maths Champions is an online professional development programme with 12 months access. The aim of this innovative programme is to improve children’s maths outcomes by providing access to a range of bespoke online training, evaluative tools and resources which can all be used to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of practitioners working in your setting.
This programme will increase practitioner knowledge, awareness and confidence in supporting early mathematics in order to improve outcomes for children.
Access Maths Champions for FREE
Eligible providers in England and many Boroughs of London can access Maths Champions at no cost.
FREE for eligible providers in England
FREE for providers in many London Boroughs
Contact the team for an invite to an online information session to find out more about the programme and ask any questions you may have.
Astounding Maths Champions research trial results
Private, voluntary, independent providers in England were chosen at random to take part (funded by the Education Endowment Foundation partnered with Department for Education) to evaluate the Maths Champions programme.
Children make 3 months additional progress
EYPP children make 6 months progress
Highest possible security rating
Improved staff confidence
Read an additional study which found that the progress children on the Maths Champions programmes made was sustained into primary school.
Maths Champions case studies and feedback
Staff now have a deeper understanding of early mathematics
“As a result staff now have a much deeper understanding of early mathematics including specific terminology. Staff are engaging in more high quality maths interactions with children, modelling mathematical vocabulary and have a greater understanding of learning trajectories which enables them to plan more effectively for children’s next steps in learning.”
Not eligible for a free place? Purchase Maths Champions here
FAQs Maths Champions Programme – Accelerator funding 2024
What are the main benefits of signing up to the Maths Champions programme?
Maths Champions is an online professional development programme, enabling you to access this from your setting without the need to release staff to attend external training.
The programme contains a range of evidence based training, reflective tools, resources and support from an Early Years Advisor which can all be used to develop staff confidence across the setting.
Research has shown that children who attend a Maths Champions setting make up to three months additional progress in their maths and language development, with this increasing to a potential six months for disadvantaged children (EEF 2023)
Are there any costs if I sign up for the DfE/EEF funded programme?
DfE/EEF are currently funding places on the Maths Champions programme. Settings who meet the eligibility criteria and are allocated a place will received this place free of charge.
Is the fully funded programme only open to NDNA members?
Fully funded places are open to any setting that meets the eligibility criteria and is allocated a place, you do not have to be an NDNA member.
Typically how long does the programme last for?
If you are allocated a place on the Maths Champions programme you will receive a live online induction followed by 12 months access to the programme platform. We have created a completion timeline to support you to access all elements of the programme across this timeframe and you will also have ongoing support from an allocated Early Years Advisor. You can complete the programme sooner than this if you wish but your enrolment on the programme will end after 12 months.
Do I need extra members of staff to participate?
No, you do not need extra members of staff to participate in the Maths Champions programme. You are required to nominate a Maths Champions and Deputy Maths Champions in the setting (qualified to a minimum level 3) who will access the programme platform and lead on disseminating learning from the programme to the whole staff team so it has the maximum impact. We do not specify who takes on these roles, you as a setting can decide who is in the best position to do this but we can talk through some individual options with you to help you make a decision.
Do the Maths Champion and Deputy Maths Champion need to be supernumerary throughout the programme? How much time will they need to be in training?
No, the Maths Champion and Deputy Maths Champion do not need to be supernumerary throughout the programme. They are required to attend a live online induction and complete the online training within the programme which consists of two mandatory courses focussing on supporting children’s mathematical development and an optional coaching course to help them disseminate learning to staff. Each course takes approx. 2 – 2 ½ hours to complete and this can be paused and returned to so that it can be scheduled in around other commitments. The remainder of the programme consists of auditing practice and leading on supporting developing confidence which can be done within the everyday routine of the setting.
When does it begin? When do I need to sign up by?
The next round of delivery starts early in 2025 with start dates of February, March, April, May and June. Expressions of interest are open now
We will be running live online information sessions which you will be invited to attend if you express an interest which provide more information about the programme and answer any questions you may have so you can make an informed decision about joining the programme.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are allocated a place, one of our project support team will be in touch to discuss your induction and start date.
What if only one member of staff wants to be a Champion?
The role of the Deputy Maths Champion is crucial to successful completion of the programme and to participate we do ask settings to allocate both roles. The idea is that the Deputy Maths Champion works in partnership with the Maths Champions and as they have also completed the training within the programme it means they can continue to work through the programme even if the Maths Champion were to leave the setting for any reason. This aids in retention on the programme.
Are there any resources we need to have in place before the start of the programme?
No, you are not required to have anything specific in place before the start of the programme. The programme is designed to help increase staff knowledge and to reflect on what experiences and opportunities children are provided with. As a result, some settings do decide to purchase resources but you are not required to, this is a personal choice and wherever possible to look at cost saving ways that could suggest you do things.
We don’t have much outdoors space in our nursery – can we still take part?
The programme helps you to reflect on your individual setting environment with aim of helping you to see the potential you have to support maths and also consider what you might like to do in addition to things you already offer.
Our staff are worried about their maths abilities, will this programme help them?
Maths anxiety can really affect a person’s confidence and we want this programme to break down barriers and help staff to develop their confidence and not see maths as something to be scared of, just as we don’t want this for our children. Staffs’ own maths ability will not be tested. This programme is designed to increase staff knowledge on how children learn maths in the early years and how they can use the different skills they have to support this effectively. By doing this, staff confidence in this area will increase as they feel empowered by what they know and can do.
Will Maths Champions only be useful for those members of staff who have passed their GCSE in maths?
No, Maths Champions will be useful for all members of staff to support both knowledge and confidence in supporting children’s maths learning.
Will it only be helpful to those who struggle with maths?
No, Maths Champions will be helpful for all members of staffs so that everyone has a shared understanding about what maths skills develop in the early years and how they can support this.
Can parents get involved? Do resources help us to communicate with parents about what the programme is?
We actively encourage you to involve parents in the programme. Just as some staff may have anxieties about maths, many parents do too, so you can be influential in supporting parents by sharing knowledge and resources with them to give them simple and effective ideas which they can use at home to support their child’s learning.
My setting is in Scotland or Wales, can I still take part in the programme?
Yes, Maths Champions is a nationwide programme that can be used by settings in England, Scotland and Wales. Indeed the programme can also be used by international settings.
Is it fully funded for settings in Scotland and Wales?
At present the funding we have is from DfE/EEF which covers settings in England only.
I have more than one setting, can I sign up for funding for more than one of my nurseries?
Yes, places are allocated to individual sites so you can apply for a place for each of your settings if you have more than one nursery. Each individual setting will be checked against the eligibility criteria in order to make a decision.
I have a nursery school, can I take part in this programme?
Places are available to school based nurseries, academy nurseries, nursery schools and PVI settings. You must have at least six 3&4 year olds attending the setting to be eligible.
Does this programme include childminders?
Unfortunately at this moment in time the programme is designed to support nurseries. However, we are currently piloting the programme with a small group of Childminders to see if there is potential for Maths Champions to support Childminders in the future.