Reception Knowledge and Skills Curriculum | Reception

A complete, term-by-term curriculum map for Reception, built to work whether or not you teach through themes. Created by an experienced Early Years teacher and bringing together curriculum overview and ELG breakdown into one clear, comprehensive reference, this document gives you everything you need to plan a coherent, progressive Reception year — with the knowledge, skills and curriculum expectations mapped directly against each area of learning, term by term.

What’s Included?

• A full term-by-term breakdown across all seven areas of learning ELG and Development Matters statements mapped directly against curriculum content — not left as a separate document to cross-reference
• Clear progression through the year showing what knowledge and skills to build at each point
• Designed to work as a standalone curriculum document or as the backbone beneath your themed Medium Term Plans

Why Teachers Love It

• Makes curriculum progression clear and coherent across the full Reception year
• Works independently of themes, so schools not using a thematic approach can plan a purposeful year straight from it
• Sits seamlessly beneath Medium Term Plans as the curriculum foundation they are built from
• Keeps the focus firmly on knowledge, skills and progression — not topics covered or activities completed

How Can I Use This Resource?

• Use as the curriculum backbone for your Reception year, with or without a thematic approach
• Reference term by term to ensure knowledge and skills are building purposefully across all areas of learning
• Use alongside your Medium Term Plans to ensure themed planning is rooted in clear curriculum progression
• Share with SLT and subject leads to articulate your curriculum intent and implementation with confidence
• Use alongside the Is it Time to Play? progression documents and planning for a fully joined-up approach to the Reception curriculum

💡 This resource is also available inside the Is it Time to Play? Membership, giving members access to hundreds of planning tools, resources and professional development materials for no additional cost.