Coming Spring 2027
A systematic approach to early number
The Foundations Programme and Number Phonics are two connected programmes supporting children from Nursery to Year 2.
Inspired by systematic phonics, both combine carefully sequenced teaching, purposeful play and timely support to build secure understanding of number.
Why we designed it
Systematic phonics gives teachers a clear sequence to follow, familiar teaching routines and regular opportunities to check what children have learned. Important learning is revisited often, with additional teaching and practice when children need it.
We wanted to bring that same clarity and structure to early number, while keeping stories, play and practical experiences central to learning. Our programmes help practitioners understand what each child knows, what comes next and how to respond when more support is needed.
Sequenced
A clear progression in small steps, with earlier learning revisited as children build their understanding.
Story-led
Stories and characters spark curiosity and give children meaningful contexts for exploring mathematical ideas.
Explicitly modelled
Short teaching moments make each idea clear through precise language, purposeful gesture and carefully chosen representations.
Responsive
Assessment is built into teaching, with targeted activities ready when a child needs more practice.
Two connected programmes
Nursery to the end of Year 2, in one continuous progression.
Nursery, ages 3–4
Builds early mathematical language and understanding through matching, sorting, comparing, spatial thinking and exploring small quantities. Stories, purposeful play and short teaching moments help children develop these foundations ready for Number Phonics.
Reception to Year 2
Develops secure understanding of numbers within 10 in Reception. Years 1 and 2 build on this foundation, developing children’s fluency and flexibility in addition and subtraction, including bridging through 10.
Helping every child keep up
Like systematic phonics, our programmes set out the essential knowledge and understanding children need to secure at each stage. Assessment runs through the teaching, helping practitioners identify gaps early and provide the additional teaching and practice each child needs.
Screen-free by design
Both programmes use printed teaching materials and physical resources to bring the mathematics into children’s hands. Children learn through stories, talk, movement and practical activity, with adults modelling ideas and responding to what children say and do.
Our ambition
For every child to develop a deep, secure understanding of numbers within 10 by the end of Reception, and the fluency and flexibility to bridge through 10 by the end of Year 2.
Follow the trials
The Richmond Project is funding early trials of The Foundations Programme and Number Phonics in Nursery and Reception settings.
We are working with practitioners to understand how the programmes fit into everyday teaching, how children respond and what needs refining. We will share progress and learning as the trials develop.
What the programmes draw on
- The early mathematical knowledge and concepts that support later learning
- Systematic sequencing, retrieval, fluency and repeated practice
- Number structure, including understanding 10 and bridging through 10
- Language, representation, play and responsive adult interaction in the early years
Coming Spring 2027
Register your interest for programme news, updates from the trials and information about the launch, and be among the first to bring the full programme to your school.