Oracy Progression Map | EYFS and KS1

A clear, comprehensive progression map showing how oracy and communication skills develop across Nursery, Reception and Year 1. Created as the foundation behind the Talk Through Play toolkit, this resource gives you the age-banded skills, Early Learning Goals and KS1 curriculum links, and developmental stages that show how oracy builds over time — alongside a taste of how to bring purposeful talk into your provision.

Because when we understand how communication develops, we can create environments and interactions that genuinely support children to find their voice.

What’s Included?

• Age-banded oracy skills showing progression across Nursery, Reception and Year 1
• Links to the Early Learning Goals and KS1 curriculum throughout
• Developmental stages to support confident observation and assessment of children’s communication
• An introduction to how oracy can be embedded purposefully into provision

Why Teachers Love It

• Makes oracy progression visible and easy to understand across EYFS and KS1
• Supports confident planning, observation and assessment of communication and language development
• Helps teachers understand where children are and what to work towards next
• Connects oracy to curriculum expectations without losing the playful, purposeful spirit of early communication
• A practical reference point for planning, professional development and curriculum conversations

How Can I Use This Resource?

• Use to map oracy development across Nursery, Reception and Year 1 with clarity and confidence
• Reference during planning to ensure provision and adult interactions support communication at every stage
• Use to support observation and assessment of children’s speaking and listening skills
• Share with your team to build a shared understanding of how oracy progresses across EYFS and KS1
• Use alongside the full Talk Through Play toolkit for a complete, curriculum-linked approach to oracy in provision

💡 This resource is also available inside the Is it Time to Play? Membership, giving members access to the full Talk Through Play toolkit — including activity ideas, adult interaction scripts and provision suggestions — alongside hundreds of other EYFS and KS1 planning tools and resources, all for no additional cost.